Glass Cathedral

Singapore Classics

by Andrew Koh

Winner of the Singapore Literature Prize Commendation Award, Glass Cathedral’s sensitive depiction of homosexuality in conservative Singapore is a landmark in local literature. This novella was part of a small wave of gay and lesbian–themed drama and fiction that appeared in Singapore during the early 1990s.

Genres: LGBT, Fiction

114 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Andrew Koh is best known for his award-winning novella Glass Cathedral, which won the 1994 Singapore Literature Prize Commendation Award. Koh was a founding member of The Necessary Stage and has published various works, from academic papers to poetry. He has also co-authored several Literature textbooks for schools in Singapore.

Koh read English Literature at the National University of Singapore and has worked in Singapore and London. He now works in the healthcare sector and lives in Sydney.

Reviews

[Eunice Ying Ci · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recently, while chatting with friends, I said that I was annoyed that homosexuality kept getting sidelined. There is so much tiptoeing around what can be said, cannot be said, so much worrying regarding what is universally applicable and acceptable. When does critical become offensive? When does cautiousness become mind-numbing indifference? And I appreciate this book for addressing homosexuality head on, while also highlighting how an unwillingness to discuss it is also indicative of a close-minded approach to heteronormativity as well. The former is taboo, and the latter is taken for granted. There is no discussion one way or another. What I don’t like is how a foregrounding of one neglected issue often comes at the expense of other neglected issues, as if they cannot be addressed in the same breath or in the same space. Religion, elitism, racism etc. are brushed aside ever so gently in this book, as if they are somehow lesser matters. A passing remark, a casual joke, a bit of “harmless” mocking... But perhaps that aggravation is intentional. When homosexuality takes centre stage and frequents atas establishments and engages in lighthearted frivolity, we are uncomfortable and perhaps this novel demands that we investigate that discomfort. When are we going to graduate from waving these issues aside as lighthearted matters of the young and phase-happy heart and start treating them as heavyweight concerns?

This short read has a lot of similarities with the seemingly innocuous invention of Rose, the imaginary girlfriend of James and substitute for our protagonist. You think it’s all fun and games until it’s that one insignificant thing that blows everything out of proportion. And the novel jabs and prods at society’s fears and idiosyncrasies in the same way, appearing mischievous and cheerful at first glance, yet barely disguising an undercurrent of resentment and bitterness. Shall I send this gay man to the Institute of Education? Shall I make this other gay man your unsuspecting daughter’s boyfriend? And in asking these questions, this novel succeeds in getting back at the conservative and narrow-minded. But what are the greater implications? Especially for those who remain undecided, unsure, and unmotivated?

[Li Sian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely worth a read for a bittersweet evocation of young gay manhood in the 90s. (Relatedly - a bittersweet evocation of young gay manhood that doesn't involve anyone dying! How about that!) The protagonist is a young university student who meets James, a rich young bachelor about town, in an English tutorial. I was particularly struck by the scene where James asks Colin if he's gay, and he reacts with horror and shock and shame, before they reconcile beautifully and start dating. Of course they were never gonna work out - with an interesting twist that makes James & Colin end in more or less opposite positions in which they'd started out, re closetedness. Koh also has really interesting things to say about religion, gayness and class, with a sympathetic nod to the possibility of queer (Chinese) people and (straight) ethnic minorities finding meaning and solidarity in forming alliances with each other.

... & also, c'mon, I couldn't be that broken up about James and Colin breaking up because who else was totally gunning for Colin and Norbert to get together?? (Andrew Koh was, that's for certain. Norbert has his own flat now, a Chekov's gun re what that means for privacy, intimacy, and tenable queer (and hetero, I suppose) relationships in Singapore terms, hurrr.

[Andre Liang · Rating 3 out of 5]

A foundational and essential text of it's time. However, this status should not exclude it from criticism: the author's clunky phrasing, with a somewhat disjointed plot. With rather one-dimensional characters, it glides across with a rather surface, shallow view of love existing in secret. It is not an unenjoyable read. Yet, it had so much more potential. Perhaps one is spoilt by the proliferation of better explored narratives in the 21st Century. All in all, Koh's novella is an imperfect classic.

[Neil H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished it in one sitting. And I love it. The familiar settings of school, mates, family, crosstalk, singlish. From both traditional families, we see Colin and James as educated sons struggling with university, society, love (the unspoken kind), familial relations and its accompanied obligations. They are by no means seen as traditional, they have the mobile opportunity to imagine a better life away from Singapore and its denial of their same sex love rights. Where hetronomativity provides a ghastly atmosphere in their love for each other. What society deems normal, shows how Colin, James and Norbet are political victims in a society claiming to celebrate diversity (on its own stated terms). Even the other individual given the stage; Rani is a minority, traditionally decked out. But like Colin and Norbet is ever so worldly, compassionate and non judgmental. I empathized with the protagonists as a gay men, we can be shamed into a life that is not genuine to us. This book lighthearted as it may be is a sobering tale of what denial can easily be structured not for our own happiness but alas for others.

[Joey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A peek into a devout Catholic's struggle with accepting and eventually expression of his own homosexual identity in early 1990s Singapore. While many of the religious terms were lost on me (raised closer to Taoist beliefs), I could understand the identity crisis Colin was going through from the author's descriptions of the fundamental Catholic's beliefs, as well as having grown up in Singapore. The general hush-hush, behind-closed-doors attitude Singaporeans generally have towards any kind of sexual issues, unwillingness to acknowledge sex during our teens and yet vocally yearning for grandchildren a few years down the road - definitely not healthy. Compound that with the fear of being exposed as gay, the fear of being charged with our notorious Penal Code, I felt visceral trepidation the characters were forced to contend with.

[Alyssa]

Narrative style comes across very quotidian, yet it is precisely that style of voice that makes this story feel so true and unembellished. The confusion experienced by the main character is brought through sensitively. Andrew Koh delicately manages the tension between religion and LGBTQ+identity, succeeding in humanising both sides with empathy and kindness.

[Francesco · Rating 4 out of 5]

An important contribution to Singapore's literature from the mid-90s, which was recognized with the Singapore Literature Prize Commendation Award. In plain language, the author describes the quotidian life of a young guy and his struggle to accept himself and to be accepted in a society that favors traditional values.

[Andrea Irvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short novella that deftly exposes the difficulties of being gay in a society and religion that fully rejects you. It left me feeling sad. Thankfully though, Singapore has officially legalized sex between men, though only in 2022! Gay marriage is still not allowed though. Annoyingly, another introduction that revealed more of the plot than I wanted to know – why do they do that!!!

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really interesting and important book for its time in Singapore. But it really could have benefited from an editor. And the description of the nightclub was the most awkward, bizarre description of one that I have ever read!

[Shona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sensitively drawn, it manages to situate characters within their social context, without shortchanging them on personalities, idiosyncrasies, and inner lives. Also a brave, if understated, insight into 1990s Singapore. Not a word wasted, in my opinion. I finished this in one setting.

[Kittipat · Rating 3 out of 5]

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[Nora · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light story about how Christian perceives the sensitive topic which may seem to be common but not common enough to be accepted by society. It is a bitter sweet story.

[Alessio]

All Too Well (Colin's Version)

[rui · Rating 3 out of 5]

very...uninspiring to say the very least

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bittersweet novella, giving a sobering, if brief, insight into what it was like to be gay in Singapore in the 90s. Interestingly enough, the state’s proscription of queerness is not a central concern, but rather the role of the catholic church. Religion is a constant factor overshadowing
the story development, and while the language itself, using a variety of Singaporean slang, is simple and easy to read, it doesn’t take away from the gravity of each twist of fate our characters experience.

As of today, Homosexuality is still illegal and prosecutable in Singapore, even if paradoxically the city has risen to a major LGTBQ intelligence hub. I really wonder how the situation has changed over the years and how challenging/manageable it nowadays is to be a queer person in Singapore.

[Evangeline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Homosexuality and Catholicism in 1960s Singapore

[Joséphine (Word Revel) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating: 3.5

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating: 3.5

[dana · Rating 2 out of 5]

giving this book a three might be a little generous but in hindsight it's not a TERRIBLE book.