{"product_id":"the-quirky-kampung-tales-of-ijan-and-his-early-school-years-9781398454545","title":"The Quirky Kampung Tales Of Ijan And His Early School Years","description":"\u003cp\u003e • Author(s): Saiful Lizan Muhamed\u003cbr\u003e • Publisher: Austin Macauley\u003cbr\u003e • Publisher Imprint: Austin Macauley\u003cbr\u003e • BISAC: Action \u0026amp; Adventure - General\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe book is generally written in a humorous tone but there are poignant moments in the book where the narration takes on a more serious or sad tone where they are needed. The book is about the growing up years of a boy called Ijan who grew up in a fast-developing Singapore in the 1970s and 1980s in two different villages or \"kampung\" as they are called in Singapore. Although the concept or notion of a \"kampung\" is now gone in the developed city of Singapore, the book invites the readers to take a journey back to a historical Singapore as a backdrop. Ingrained in the ways of the village, Ijan the \"kampung\" boy had also attended schools which were very structured and the schools were where his parents were teachers. As a \"kampung\" boy, Ijan was accustomed to his roaming ways and as a teacher's son, he was expected to behave. This was further compounded where it seemed Ijan's DNA had been \"hardwired\" with the characteristics of what was known in the village as a \"pusar dua\" anomaly. He was born with two hair whirls at the back of his head! This led to a somewhat disorderly hair disposition for Ijan but more significantly, the villagers believed this anomaly brought with it certain traits to the \"afflicted\" boy. It was believed that a \"pusar dua\" boy would be a maverick of sorts, hyperactive and stubborn to say the least. He was also believed to be blessed with a very endearing character, especially to animals. The interesting contrast in environment, character and expectations are the themes that carry the narration in this book with Ijan as the protagonist.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Austin Macauley","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":45045349875863,"sku":"9781398454545","price":836.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0666\/3471\/1191\/files\/9781398454545.webp?v=1769216434","url":"https:\/\/atlanticbooks.com\/products\/the-quirky-kampung-tales-of-ijan-and-his-early-school-years-9781398454545","provider":"Atlantic Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}