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Ponti
Ponti | Sharlene Teo
32 posts | 18 read | 24 to read
'Remarkable' - Ian McEwan. 2003, Singapore. Friendless and fatherless, sixteen-year-old Szu lives in the shadow of her mother Amisa, once a beautiful actress and now a hack medium performing sances with her sister in a rusty house. When Szu meets the privileged, acid-tongued Circe, an unlikely encounter develops into an intense friendship and offers Szu a means of escape from her mother's alarming solitariness. Seventeen years later, Circe is struggling through a divorce in fraught and ever-changing Singapore when a project comes up at work: a remake of the cult seventies horror film series 'Ponti', the very project that defined Amisa's short-lived film career. Suddenly Circe is knocked off balance: by memories of the two women she once knew, by guilt, and by a past that threatens her conscience. Told from the perspectives of all three women, Ponti is about friendship and memory, about the things we do when we're on the cusp of adulthood that haunt us years later. Beautifully written by debut author Sharlene Teo, and enormously atmospheric, Ponti marks the launch of an exciting new literary voice in the vein of Zadie Smith.
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review
youneverarrived
Ponti | Sharlene Teo
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Pickpick

I really liked the friendship between Szu & Circe and how that played out, it felt relatable. I wasn‘t as invested in the chapters on Amisa and sometimes it felt like they were there as filler/a bridge between the past and present day. Overall an enjoyable read, glad to have read it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Reggie I really liked this book. I liked how Singapore was this huge presence that grew with the characters of the book. 3y
youneverarrived @Reggie I liked the Singapore setting too. 3y
53 likes2 comments
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CBee
Ponti | Sharlene Teo
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@Mitch thank you, my friend!! I‘d not heard of this one, but it looks excellent 😁😁😁 And the cover is 😍😍
Merry Christmas to you ♥️♥️

Chelsea.Poole That cover! 😍 4y
CBee @Chelsea.Poole right? And it‘s so soft and smooth! Like a different paper? I love it. 4y
Mitch I hope it‘s interesting .... the author did a virtual event at my local Indie and it sounded cool ! 4y
See All 7 Comments
Crazeedi Stunning! 4y
CBee @Mitch it sounds wonderful! I‘ll let you know my thoughts when I read it ♥️ Thank you again so much my friend xoxo 4y
Reggie I really liked this book. I hope you like it! 4y
CBee @Reggie it looks like something I‘ll really enjoy! 😁😁 4y
68 likes7 comments
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Tove_Reads
Ponti | Sharlene Teo
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Mehso-so

Szu, a 16 yo girl, is trying to fit in and become an adult. Her mother's voice goes back to the 70s, when she starred in a trilogy of horror films, called Ponti. Ponti has a cult status. Circe, Szu's friend, who narrates her story in present day. I have mixed feelings about the book. It is a fast and easy read, it flows well, as long as I kept in mind the three different time settings. I did not relate to the story or the characters. #Singapore

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Reggie
Ponti | Sharlene Teo
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Pickpick

In Ponti we follow 3 different timelines with 3 different characters in Singapore. There is Amisa, in the 1970‘s, her daughter Szu in 2002, and Szu‘s friend Circe in 2020. Teo writes with such an effervescent prose that I enjoyed and needed because it contradicted the film of disquiet and disdain that coats every character in here. There is no plot but I could not stop reading. I needed characters to be ok. Teo made me need them to be ok. Pick!!!!

vivastory I assume no giant earthworms? 4y
Reggie @vivastory lol, no, but the mother, Amisa, starred in a trilogy of cult camp horror films called Ponti about a ghost. And even though THAT sounds intriguing it is not the meat of the story. 4y
64 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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amyf0x
Ponti | Sharlene Teo
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Pickpick

An arresting story of unfulfilled/ing relationships, told from the perspectives of Amisa, forgotten star of the 70s “Ponti” trilogy, her teenage daughter, Szu Min, trying to make it through high school in the early 2000s, and Szu‘s friend Circe, who is battling her own unhappiness in 2020.

Read July 7-13, 19-20
Book 37/55

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ReadUntilYourEyesAreRed
Ponti | Sharlene Teo
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Set in Singapore, this book is told from the perspective of three women across their lives. Age 16 Szu is lonely as her ex-actress mother ignores her. Amisa, Szu‘s mother tells the story of her growing up and then Szu‘s only friend Circe 17 years later in 2020 is struggling through her divorce. A very well written novel of haunting memories, growing up and friendship.

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whatrebeccasread
Ponti | Sharlene Teo
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Pickpick

"Ponti" is funny, sad and awkward, unlike anything I've read in a long time. I loved this book from Sharlene Teo and can't wait to see what she writes next - 5 stars!

My full review is up on my blog now ?

68 likes2 stack adds
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whatrebeccasread
Ponti | Sharlene Teo
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Another month, another book from my Rare Birds Book Club subscription. Have you read this one?

MicheleinPhilly I‘ve never even heard of it but it sounds great! #stacked 6y
whatrebeccasread @MicheleinPhilly it does sounds great and I really like the cover! I'm looking forward to reading it soon! 6y
Redwritinghood Like many books, it‘s on my shelf waiting to be read. 6y
56 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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starrdom
Ponti | Sharlene Teo
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I went to the library only to get a replacement card but came away with this #bookhaul #noSelfControl #unplannedreads

26 likes1 stack add
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llwheeler
Ponti | Sharlene Teo
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What an amazing giveaway! #litworld2018gb @GatheringBooks

I've been to 21 countries in my reading travels this year (and 13 fantasy/sci-fi lands) 😊
Any of these would be great but #4 is especially catching my eye today.

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BookishTrish
Ponti | Sharlene Teo
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Super cool #giveaway from @GatheringBooks How many countries have you visited in books this year? I‘m about to find out my total #litworld2018gb

GatheringBooks awesome!!! thanks so much for reposting!!! 6y
BookishTrish @GatheringBooks No problem! I read about 22 different countries. 6y
56 likes2 comments
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GatheringBooks
Ponti | Sharlene Teo
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We are giving away 6 books for our Literary Voyage Around the World Reading Challenge. Just REPOST and share how many countries you visited this year through books and you automatically get a chance to win any of these titles. Guesstimate is fine! Open internationally. Indicate which book (#1 to #6) you prefer. Just tag @GatheringBooks and hashtag #LitWorld2018GB. Open until 15 December 2018! Do share! #BookGiveaway! #PayingItForward! #FreeBooks

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RealLifeReading
Ponti | Sharlene Teo
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The lovely @GatheringBooks is hosting a #litworld2018GB giveaway. See her post for details.
I‘ve traveled to 20 or so countries through books this year! I‘ve enjoyed stories set in countries like Afghanistan, Nigeria, Japan, France, China, South Africa and Singapore.
I‘d love to win Ponti (partly because we have the same first name!)
Thank you for hosting this giveaway @GatheringBooks ❤️

GatheringBooks awesome!!! :) thanks for reposting. :) 20 countries is pretty rad - what a literary journey you‘ve had this year! 6y
66 likes1 comment
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CoffeeNBooks
Ponti | Sharlene Teo
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Thanks @GatheringBooks for the chance to win in your #LitWorld2018GB Giveaway! I didn't realize how much I'd "traveled" this year, until I actually went back to look at my book list- 19 real countries, and 4 fictional countries! I'm interested in reading #4. ?

GatheringBooks oh wow! lots of travels indeed! thank you for reposting! 🧚🏼‍♀️📚 6y
63 likes1 comment
review
Moray_Reads
Ponti | Sharlene Teo
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Mehso-so

This didn't live up to the hype for me. In three intersecting storylines it tells the story of the relationships between Amiss, Szu and Circe, the first two mother and daughter and the second teenage friends. These are supposed to be complex, difficult relationships but I didn't feel any intensity in them, partly because so many interactions were reported rather than seen. It had all the right ingredients but they just didn't come together

Cinfhen Too bad, cover is stunning 6y
Kalalalatja I feel that‘s the problem with seperate-but-connected stories. They often don‘t come together really well 6y
Moray_Reads @Kalalalatja it's tough to pull off but I've read a couple of really good ones (and some not so good) recently. 6y
43 likes3 comments
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Soubhiville
Ponti | Sharlene Teo
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@GatheringBooks is hosting a giveaway. #LitWorld2018GB Visit the original post for details.

I‘ve visited around 24 countries through books this year, including Discworld and a few other completely fantastic places, England, Japan, Russia, Malaysia, Brazil, Nigeria, Botswana, Mexico, and so many others!
I‘d be interested in reading Ponti the most of the 6. Thank you @GatheringBooks !

GatheringBooks wonderful! thank you for reposting! 🧚🏼‍♀️📚 sounds like a great literary trip this year! 6y
51 likes1 comment
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GatheringBooks
Ponti | Sharlene Teo
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We are giving away 6 books for our Literary Voyage Around the World Reading Challenge. Just REPOST and share how many countries you visited this year through books and you automatically get a chance to win any of these titles. Guesstimate is fine! Open internationally. Indicate which book (#1 to #6) you prefer. Just tag @GatheringBooks and hashtag #LitWorld2018GB. Open until 15 December 2018! Do share! #BookGiveaway! #PayingItForward! #FreeBooks

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erzascarletbookgasm
Ponti | Sharlene Teo
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#BookGiveaway #litworld2018gbgiveaway

Guys, head over to @GatheringBooks profile to check out how you can win one of these books!

I estimate I‘ve travelled 10 countries through the books I‘ve read this year. Thank you for the opportunity, I‘ll like to read the tagged book (book #4). 🙂💗

GatheringBooks nice choice!! you‘ve toured quite a lot this year, i see (in books!) :) 6y
44 likes1 comment
review
Emilymdxn
Ponti | Sharlene Teo
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Pickpick

Such a perfect book! Can not wait to hear the author talk about it as I think there‘s so much there to discuss. I loved the way she made Singapore so vivid, and wonderful to read about even tho she didn‘t describe it adoringly. I loved not being sure whether it was magic realism or not, the characters building slowly over their different timelines.

rachaich Ace cover :) 6y
33 likes2 comments
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Emilymdxn
Ponti | Sharlene Teo
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Still feeling far from 100% 😞 I think I‘ve got a cold on top of the UTI which is... not ideal. omw back to oxford to see a friend who‘s not doing great, which I‘m happy to be doing cause I miss her but is tiring, then a work party tonight which I really wanna go to but can‘t really drink on antibiotics so will be a one drink, say hi then go to bed situation probably. Tomorrow = early night with medicine, bath and scented candles

TrishB Hope you‘re feeling better soon. 6y
Soubhiville I hope you feel better fast too. 6y
batsy Feel better soon and I hope you get some rest. 6y
ephemeralwaltz Feel better💙 6y
youneverarrived Hope you feel better 💛 6y
42 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Emilymdxn
Ponti | Sharlene Teo
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I‘m seeing the author of this (gorgeous) book speak at the south bank centre in a week so hopefully I have enough time to read this one first!

Oryx That cover is stunning 6y
34 likes1 comment
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Mitch
Ponti | Sharlene Teo
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I love my bookshop!

Oryx Lovely! 6y
78 likes1 comment
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sixminutesforme
Ponti | Sharlene Teo
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Pickpick
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kyraleseberg
Ponti | Sharlene Teo
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Mehso-so

This is between a pick and so-so for me. I loved the writing, genuine characters, and the story told from three perspectives switching between past and present. The plot itself was pretty weak however and I was frustrated we didn't get more from these well crafted characters.
Full review on Goodreads.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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kyraleseberg
Ponti | Sharlene Teo
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Starting this #ARC tonight

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LonesomeReader
Ponti | Sharlene Teo
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A strikingly sophisticated novel that creatively incorporates a well-known trope from horror movies to say something meaningful about the tragic disconnect in relationships which matter to us the most.

10 likes2 stack adds
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Emilymdxn
Ponti | Sharlene Teo
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Just booked to see Sharlene Teo and a bunch of other authors at the South Bank Centre in October! Literary festivals are like the highlight of my reading life and I‘m so excited. I have a lot of books to get through before then and I‘m pumped to have them on my tbr alongside all the booker ones. I‘m trying to resist this beautiful hardback until the paperback comes out but beautiful books are so hard to say no to.

britt_brooke Gorgeous! 6y
25 likes1 comment
review
Redheadrambles
Ponti | Sharlene Teo
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2

I fell in love with the writing in this book immediately. It is whip smart, beautifully observational and funny. Tao does a marvellous job of steeping you in a sultry Singapore circa 2003. It is at first a headlong plunge into teenage angst, and while not a YA novel it is at it's best when told from the perspective of it's adolescent characters.
The plot was probably the weakest aspect of this novel, but Tao is an wonderful wordsmith.

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Redheadrambles
Ponti | Sharlene Teo
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Think I am going to love this one. Great opening chapter.

ClairesReads Yesssss 6y
ns510reads Yes!! I‘m so keen to hear your thoughts on it! 🤗 6y
20 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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WhereTheBooksGo
Ponti | Sharlene Teo
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I heard Sharlene speak about Ponti at Sydney Writers' Festival and she was awesome! So excited to read this multi-generational story about film and female power.

KateFulfordAuthor If you like laugh-out-loud dialogue, a fast & twisty plot + strong female narrative, may I recommend my debut novel to you? Links to reviews and more are in my bio. With thanks, Kate. 6y
9 likes1 comment
review
Christine11
Ponti | Sharlene Teo
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Pickpick

I really liked this book about friendship, jealousy and perspective. The writing is really brutally honest and has such an acerbic tone. Have any of you read it ? I‘d be really interested to know what you thought?! I‘m also using this one for the #friendship prompt of #booked2018 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Full review on my blog - link below - if you fancy giving it a read!

https://lifewithallthebooks.com/2018/04/23/ponti-by-sharlene-teo-review/

Cinfhen It‘s such a vibrant cover 😍😍need to check out your blog 7y
jhod Did you see the Twitter discussion of The Guardian's review? Worth a look 7y
batsy Great review! I just added this to my tbr, so glad you enjoyed it :) 7y
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Cinfhen Wow! Your blog is awesome 🙌🏻book sounds really good 7y
erzascarletbookgasm I didn‘t know you have a blog, will check it out 😊. This cover is awesome 7y
Christine11 @Cinfhen It‘s so bright and pretty - now I kind of want the print copy! And thank you so much, I‘m still kind of knew to blogging but it‘s been fun! 💕 (edited) 7y
Christine11 @jhod I saw the title of it and saved it to read later today and forgot until you just reminded me so thank you 😊 - it looks really interesting! 💕 7y
Christine11 @batsy Thank you! I hope you enjoy it as much when you get to it! 😊💕 7y
Christine11 @erzascarletbookgasm Thank you! I only started it a few months ago and it‘s been fun so far! I love the cover too - so colourful! 😊💕 7y
59 likes9 comments
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GatheringBooks
Ponti | Sharlene Teo
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Sunday lunch and a book: grilled pork (marinated overnight), sweet corn, and mackerel prepared ceviche style with cucumber, green chili, ginger, and a whiff of weekend - courtesy of ze husband. #IReadPonti #LitWorld2018GB-Singapore

sudi That book cover looks amazing 😍 7y
batsy I cannot wait to get my hands on this book! Hopes are high 🙂 7y
96 likes2 comments