A candle or the sun

the long version

Hernie Perera runs the furniture department in Benson's, the largest store in Singapore. In his spare time, he writes stories. Suddenly, his comfortable life is shattered. His father is found to have terminal cancer, he loses his job, and his lover joins the 'Children of the Book', a Christian sect committed to overthrowing an oppressive government. An old acquaintance and government official promises Hernie literary success in exchange for information on the 'Children of the Book'. He must now decided between the rewards of political corruption and his conscience. With passion and humour, *A Candle or the Sun* reveals a Singapore far different from tourist brochures.