A very good evening to all.

Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts on Mr George Tan’s book – ‘Soulprints 1 – Breakthrough’

I read the final draft of ‘Soulprints 1 – Break Through’ as it was about to go into print back in August 2005. It has been quite a few months back but the contents still remain very clear in my mind.

My initial impression was the very frank, intimate and personal account of his life. It was an engaging read as I wanted to learn more of not just about George but about also his family. Soulprints is not a thriller novel; it is quite obviously an autobiography. But it was a gripping read, very raw and intense.
Set against the backdrop of Singapore’s own development and growth in the 60s & 70s made the read all the more personal and identifiable. It reminded me very much of my own literature text in secondary school – ‘Son of Singapore’ by Tan Kok Seng. A very similar tale of a man’s struggle and triumph.

George did not have easy childhood. But throughout his tough young life, he kept his spirits up and persevered. Not many of our young today will ever experience what he went through. Most of us have choices. George rarely had one in his childhood. Even if he did, they were usually choices that made the situation worse!

In almost every chapter, you will find him learning life’s little lessons almost through a setback – Soulprints as he calls them. Many of these soulprints are universal values that can serve as learning points for our young today - such as Steadfastness, Helpfulness, Self-discipline, Humility, Trustworthiness, and Perseverance.

The chapters on his education were especially touching and revealing. Education is supposed to be a great leveler or the leveler of the playing field. The poor or underprivileged were supposed to succeed through being educated. However for some like George, it meant first overcoming a disadvantaged background before he could even compete on fairly.

We have to do more to help those less privileged. Merely providing education alone is not sufficient. Their needs beyond education are just as important if we are truly to have a level playing field. George had to sell his ‘champion spider’ for $2 just to satisfy his basic needs, things we take for granted in our daily lives.

Reading George’s narration of life in Hwa Chong brought a smile to my face. I am from Hwa Chong too, 12 years his junior. I am glad that he still has such fond memories of his 2 years here and must at this point also thank him for his support of our literary project.

Throughout his book, George chronicles his troubled childhood and how unfairly he was treated by his father and brothers. We hear so often how adversity makes one stronger, George is probably one of the best examples around.

For some members of the audience who would prefer to be considered more ‘experienced’ or “wiser’ rather than old….his tales of gambling and gangsterism may strike a cord or even cause us to shudder if we had lived through those times. But for me, it was his spider catching exploits and marble competitions that made me nostalgic. Though from what he has written, I must further admit that his intimate knowledge of the spider kingdom and his marble-shooting skills far surpasses mine.

Not all in his book is dark and gloomy. His brush or ‘accidental’ brush with love in college might have changed his life forever if he had made a different decision. There are lots of ‘what ifs’ in his life for us to ponder…

Another bright spot was his caring mother and sisters who sustained him and were a constant source of support.

In a way reading is his book can be a source of inspiration. One is tempted to write our own autobiography just so as to put our own life on record…though I doubt there will be any among us who will have such a colorful one as George’s.

To me, one of the greatest takeaways is George’s own love, care and concern for his family despite his own predicament and injustice…something we should really look up to.

Finally, I must admit that I rushed to finish reading his draft as I wanted to know how he managed to overcome such a tough childhood; I wanted to know the fortunes of his family – his brothers and sisters.

For those among us that do not know him, Breakthrough will offer an insight into how he lives his life today… for those who are already acquainted with him, careful reading of Breakthrough may just reveal the secret of his success today.

Soulprints1 ended with George completing his Pre-University education. I am now eagerly awaiting the release of his sequel…

Congratulations George on your book launch!

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