The Woman Who Breathed Two Worlds Free Audiobook Download by Selina Siak Chin Yoke

Selina Siak Chin Yoke's memoir, The Woman Who Breathed Two Worlds, is a poignant narrative of a woman coming into her own. Her upbringing was one of intense cultural and religious conservatism. From an early age she held herself to the expectations set by her grandfather for the eldest granddaughter in the family: "I want you to be better than any other girl". In 1997, Selina left Malaysia and spent time in both Singapore and Taiwan, before finally coming to live in Australia at the age of 20. In Australia, she started exploring what it means to be part Malaysian and part Chinese, while also trying on different identities.

The Woman Who Breathed Two Worlds is a story of a woman who is torn between two worlds. Selina Siak Chin Yoke is the daughter of Chinese parents and grew up in Malaysia. As she became more educated and gained more independence, Selina found herself questioning her identity. Drifting further away from her roots while still loving her family, she felt as if she was living a double life. The story begins with Selina on an airplane to Vancouver for an interview for graduate school at the University of British Columbia. She meets Duncan, who eventually becomes her husband and father of their children. Throughout this book, Selina shares her personal journeys through cultures, genders and family loyalty with insightfulness and humour.

The Woman Who Breathed Two Worlds is a memoir written by Selina Siak Chin Yoke. It tells the story of her life and how she spent most of it in Malaysia, but was born in Thailand. After her father died in an accident, she and her mother moved to Malaysia. The story follows her growth as a child before the Japanese occupation of Malaysia during World War II. It then chronicles how she survived after being captured and sent to the Death Railway under the military dictatorship of Field Marshal Plaek Pibulsonggram (aka Phibun). This audiobook is narrated by Christine Rendel, who does a fantastic job with this heartbreaking story

Selina Siak Chin Yoke's memoir recounts the author's life as a child in Malaysia and a young adult in the United States. As the daughter of a wealthy family, Selina was expected to marry well. She grew up knowing that she would not have a voice in her marriage or any other decisions about her life. When she learns that her abusive father has another woman on the side, Selina decides to escape to America and find freedom for herself.

Selina Siak Chin Yoke's childhood world is the poverty-stricken and rural Malaysia of her parents' generation, in which she has always been a girl with two identities: one as obedient daughter to her strict Chinese parents and the other as spirited, headstrong young woman. In 1958, at age 16, Selina sets out for England to study nursing. There she discovers that she is attracted not just to men but also to women. Yet back in Malaysia, conservative attitudes forbid her from acknowledging her sexuality. No longer able to live this double life, Selina chooses what seems like the safer option of marriage to a man and motherhood. In 1979, Selina finally opens up about her sexuality when she is accused of being "a kind of lesbian" by her sister. It is not until 1992 - several years after independence - that Malaysia legalizes homosexuality and then only for those over 18 years old. Hunted once again by her family's shame, Selina decides it's time to return home. Upon arrival in Kuala Lumpur in 1994, Selina learns that a new law was passed in 1991 by the newly empowered government led by Dr Mahathir Mohamad: "Act 355 - An Act

Selina Siak Chin Yoke was a Malayan slave child and she not only survived to tell her story but it is one of the most riveting books I have ever listened to. The book details her life from her first memory when her father returned home covered in blood from fighting off intruders, to being sold as a slave at just five years old, to fleeing for Canada where she became a doctor, and later found out that the British had declared that slavery was illegal in their colonies.