Book review: Ponti

THIS is author Sharlene Teo’s debut novel and the story is set in three different eras in Singapore. It is told from the perspective of three different women.
The story begins in 2003 Singapore with 16-year-old socially-awkward Szu who lives in the shadow of her mother Amisa, a beautiful woman who was the star of a cult horror film series named Ponti in the 1970s.
Szu develops a special friendship with another girl named Circe, who hails from a rich family.
The second story revolves around a now 33-year-old Circe who is facing personal, as well as professional problems.
She works for a company that is doing a promotional campaign for a reboot of Ponti.
Upon seeing an old picture of Amisa, she is reminded of Szu.
The third story is about a much younger Amisa, a strange, difficult child who eventually becomes a beautiful enigmatic woman who never achieved the stardom she craved.
The three women’s stories are well-written, and have an interesting central theme that binds their stories together.
Szu and Amisa are at the heart of their respective stories, while Circe seems like the odd person out.
But, in fact, Circe’s role is pivotal as she is an observer during a crucial time in Szu’s life.
Though set in Singapore, Teo’s story can transcend borders due to the characters and their individual stories.