The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye Hardcover – March 1, 2016

Don't get me wrong; I know it's about Singapore. Please bear with me.As someone grows up in China Mainland, this book really resonates with me.Premier Lee is one of the most stubborn anti-communist, which everybody knows. But it's REALLY WEIRD that China Mainland's communist government regards Singapore as their role model. Not only so, but they also sends a lot government officials to Singapore to study its ways of running the country. Can you imagine that? Such a BIG BIG country, with over 1.3 billion people, learning from such a SMALL SMALL city, with 5.4 million people. You know how many communist party members in China Mainland? 80 million. That's 16 times of the population of Singapore.In retrospect, it's easy to see what they want to grasp is how to implement authoritarianism combining confucianism, nothing else. How does that turn out? For them, I'd say, pretty good, except the anti-corruption part. For the ordinary people? Well... I mean yeah, many many Chinese people has more money, more freedom ( comparing to 30 years ago), but how about ruining the eco environment which will provide foods, water, even air for the children? And their children? How about brainwashing the young generation and making them provincial nationalist? How about close the Internet one step a time while other countries embracing the shared knowledges and wisdoms of human being?By reading this book, I gradually sees where everything happens around China comes from.And there's much more about the book: the structures are amazing, both the page structures and the underlying plot lines. Between the lines and squares, the character develops some extraordinary twists. Or should I say to Charlie sadly and pitifully: I told you so???After having read the book from cover to cover 3 months ago, I've been keeping thinking about Velazquez's painting - Las Menias.They all have so many layers, and so many different ways to be interpreted, while my way of course is only one of them which is shallow and transient. But I'm pretty sure that this book, as the painting is, will be one of the classics forever shining in mankind's history.

Really an outstanding graphic novel. Historically informed, and shows how great events in the world can both glance upon, uplift, or crush both prominent and obscure persons.

A brilliant, moving, complex and edifying work. I am richer for having read this outstanding graphic novel. It's without a doubt an incredible work of art.

Very satisfying reading it in singlish!

Truly like the book. Interesting read as the author brings you through various events in history.

Warning: Do not pick this book up if you wake up in the middle of the night, because you will not be able to put it down and go back to sleep, and its brilliance will haunt you until dawn.If you're not Singaporean, you'll gain lots of insight about what makes this strange country tick, as well as the darker bits that are usually swept under the carpet.If you're Singaporean, and have only heard the official Singapore Story until now, you'll learn so much.If you know a little about the alternative narratives that have shaped the country, you'll fill in some blanks.If you don't know anything about comics, you'll be surprised at the sheer range and depth of storytelling that's possible.If you know a bit of comics history, you'll get a kick out of all the homages along the way.If you're interested in design, this is a great example.If you're interested in densely-layered narratives, you'll love it.If you just want a simple story, there's one to be found too! Sonny Liew does a great job of guiding newbies along the way, so you won't be lost.If you're an artist, you may quite possibly be inspired by it.Bottom line, if you are human, and can read English, you'll probably like this book.

Amazingly complex and ambitious book with a ton of heart and soul. The author is critical of Singapore at times yes, but it's always well balanced and ultimately his love and affection for his country shines through. As someone who grew up in Singapore (and now lives in the usa) it really captures the conflicts that many Singaporeans (and expats who live in Singapore) feel about the little red dot. This must have taken years to research and put together and is a great read for anyone interested in Singapore as well as the history of comics.

This meticulously crafted graphic novel follows the tumultuous history of Singapore after World War II. Charlie Chan Hock Chye is a young comic book artist whose illustrations and perspective bring Singapore's history to life. As a Singaporephile, I was intrigued to learn more about about a figure I had never heard of. And, I'd never heard of him because Charlie Chan Hock Chye is completely fictitious. I was astounded by the level of work, love and research that Sonny Liew put into this book. This is easily one of the most ambitious and detailed graphic novels that I have ever read. It became an instant favorite!

Very well made book, highly recommend reading it to know more about the history of Singapore!

A visual story about telling stories visually. Funny, beautiful and smart.

Liew combines a great summary of Singapore's modern history with a captivating story about a comics artist. It’s several books in one: a History book about Singapore origin, the political and economic challenges this small city-nation faced in its inception; a love letter to comics; a well-made fictional biography; a showcase for Liew’s art styles. Highly recommended!

I love cartoons, and when I am stressed I start drawing cartoons to ease my distress. This wonderful book is excellent. The drawings are superb. I am only about half way through the book, and I cherish it.

Brilliant book ..amazing to know more about singapore - how the city developed the culture the politics all with a funny twist..wonderful work