Hwee Hwee Tan
Encyclopedia
Hwee Hwee Tan is a Singaporean writer.
in 1974. During her youth she spent three years in the Netherlands
. At first she studied English Literature at the University of East Anglia
, from which she graduated with honours. Tan also holds a Master's Degree in English Studies
(1500-1660) from the University of Oxford
. After winning the New York Times Fellowship in 1997 she studied creative writing at New York University
. She has since received her MFA in Creative Writing at New York University. She has published various short stories before, at the age of 22, she got her first book, Foreign Bodies (1997), to print. Her second novel, Mammon Inc (2001), was adapted for the stage during the 2002 Singapore Arts Festival
and won the 2004 Singapore Literature Prize
. Furthermore she has received awards from the National Arts Council, the National University of Singapore
, the New York Times Foundation and the British Broadcasting Corporation.
She currently resides in New York
and visits Singapore and Europe frequently.
Biography
She was born in SingaporeSingapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
in 1974. During her youth she spent three years in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. At first she studied English Literature at the University of East Anglia
University of East Anglia
The University of East Anglia is a public research university based in Norwich, United Kingdom. It was established in 1963, and is a founder-member of the 1994 Group of research-intensive universities.-History:...
, from which she graduated with honours. Tan also holds a Master's Degree in English Studies
English studies
English studies is an academic discipline that includes the study of literatures written in the English language , English linguistics English studies is an academic discipline that includes the study of literatures written in the English language (including literatures from the U.K., U.S.,...
(1500-1660) from the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
. After winning the New York Times Fellowship in 1997 she studied creative writing at New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
. She has since received her MFA in Creative Writing at New York University. She has published various short stories before, at the age of 22, she got her first book, Foreign Bodies (1997), to print. Her second novel, Mammon Inc (2001), was adapted for the stage during the 2002 Singapore Arts Festival
Singapore Arts Festival
The Singapore Arts Festival is an annual arts festival held in Singapore. Organised by the National Arts Council, it is one of the most significant events in the regional arts scene. The festival, usually held in mid-year for a stretch of one month, incorporates theatre arts, dance, music and...
and won the 2004 Singapore Literature Prize
Singapore Literature Prize
The Singapore Literature Prize is an award in Singapore to recognise outstanding published works by Singaporean authors in any of the four official languages: Chinese, English, Malay and Tamil....
. Furthermore she has received awards from the National Arts Council, the National University of Singapore
National University of Singapore
The National University of Singapore is Singapore's oldest university. It is the largest university in the country in terms of student enrollment and curriculum offered....
, the New York Times Foundation and the British Broadcasting Corporation.
She currently resides in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and visits Singapore and Europe frequently.
Works
- Foreign Bodies. London: Michael Joseph, 1997.
- Mammon Inc. London: Michael Joseph, 2001.