Winner of the 2026 Epigram Books Fiction Prize
Nora grows up believing in neat routes to success until life forces her off the map.
Nora does everything right. From school debates to political
reporting, she grows up believing in merit, hard work and the promise of
success. But over the years, careers stall, loyalties fracture and the
certainties she once trusted begin to unravel. As Singapore changes,
Nora begins to question the cost of keeping up with a society obsessed
with forward motion.
A novel about ambition, disillusionment and the quiet compromises people make in order to belong.
“My book invites readers to explore the gaps in how society defines
meritocracy, success, and access, through the eyes of someone often a
triple minority in many circles. My wish is that readers feel, even
briefly, a kinder curiosity towards those still othered by class or
skin.”
—Ratna Damayanti Taha
