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Literary Fiction· Singapore

Ponti

by Sharlene Teo
Aggregate Editorial Score37/100
★Women's Prize for Fiction
Published 2018English
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About This Book

When Sharlene Teo published Ponti in 2018, it quickly found its place in the broader tradition of literary fiction. Set in Singapore, 'Ponti' is a haunting tale of friendship, family, and the supernatural. The novel weaves together the stories of three women over several decades, exploring themes of isolation and connection. Sharlene Teo's debut has been lauded for its evocative prose and vivid depiction of Singaporean life, earning her a spot on several literary lists and accolades. Themes of friendship, family, isolation run through the work.

Book Details

AuthorSharlene Teo
Published2018
Country of Origin🇸🇬 Singapore
LanguageEnglish
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9781509855329
Editorial Score37/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇸🇬 Singapore

This book is part of Singapore's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Singapore →

Editorial Assessment

First published in 2018, Sharlene Teo's Ponti is a work of literary fiction that has drawn sustained interest from critics and prize committees alike. Its engagement with friendship, family, isolation, supernatural gives the book a depth that extends well beyond its genre. Critics and institutions have consistently placed Ponti among the notable works of its period. Our aggregate score of 37/100 is compiled from 1 editorial sources that range from Nobel and Booker committees to leading literary journals. What distinguishes Ponti is how it handles its central concerns — friendship, family, isolation, supernatural — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. Sharlene Teo's role in the literature of Singapore is well established. Ponti can be read as both a standalone achievement and as part of a broader national literary conversation about identity, history, and the possibilities of narrative form.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Women's Prize for Fiction
longlist · global
20190
✍️
About the Author
Sharlene Teo
Singapore
View Author →

Sharlene Teo is a Singapore author whose work in literary fiction has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

Designed to Feel
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Designed to Feel
Why Evolution Built Your Emotions, and How to Make Them Work for You
“The most eye-opening book on emotions I’ve ever read.”
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ponti about?

Set in Singapore, 'Ponti' is a haunting tale of friendship, family, and the supernatural. The novel weaves together the stories of three women over several decades, exploring themes of isolation and connection. Sharlene Teo's debut has been lauded for its evocative prose and vivid depiction of Singaporean life, earning her a spot on several literary lists and accolades.

Who wrote Ponti?

Ponti was written by Sharlene Teo, from Singapore. First published in 2018.

What awards has Ponti won?

Ponti has received the following recognition: notable critical recognition.

Is Ponti worth reading?

Ponti is a well-regarded book with an aggregate editorial score of 37/100 on 50 Best Books. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in friendship, family, isolation.

Where can I buy Ponti?

You can buy Ponti on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is Ponti?

Ponti is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is Ponti from?

Ponti originates from Singapore's literary tradition. Explore more books from Singapore on our country page.

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