She had started writing only in her 30s. Her first story, The Valley of Golden Showers, written for children, won a prize in 1980 in a national writing competition organised by the National Book Council and the Ministry of Education.
In 1984, she surprised Singaporeans with her first novel, Ricebowl, an indictment of Singapore's political scene in the 1960s and 70s. This was followed in 1986 by a co-authored play which was awarded Merit Prize in the National University of Singapore- Shell Short Play Competition. In 1990, her second novel, Gift From The Gods was published.
Suchen has also written 11 children’s books for schools, several short stories published in Singapore and international journals and anthologies, and a non-fiction work, Stories Of The Chinese Overseas, published in 2005.
Her latest work is a collection of short stories, The Lies That Build A Marriage: Stories of the Unsaid, Unsung & Uncelebrated in Singapore. This book has been shortlisted for the Singapore Literature Prize in 2008.
Born in Malaysia in 1948, grew up on both sides of the causeway that separates Malaysia from Singapore. Came to Singapore at age 14, studied in the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus schools, and the National University of Singapore. Taught in a junior college and worked as a curriculum specialist in the Ministry of Education. Resigned in 2003 to write full time.
is owned by Suchen Christine Lim. All rights reserved.