Emporium

A richly imagined yet historically faithful account of the early career of Francis Light, the founder of modern Penang. A marvelous cast of characters populates this well-researched work of historical fiction, with just the right blend of the real and the imaginary.–John D. Greenwood, Author of the Singapore Saga seriesAt last, a novel which engages a crucial and fascinating period of British merchant imperialism and Southeast Asian history.–Philip Bowring, Author of Empire of the WindsDeeply researched and beautifully written … convincingly evokes the East of the period.–Nigel Barley, AuthorEnthralling. Gan brings a forgotten hero back to rumbustious life.–John Keay, historian and author of The Spice Route: A History, Author of The Honourable CompanyTakes the reader on a masterfully compelling eighteenth-century birth-to-death journey alongside Francis Light. Vividly imagined scenarios interwoven with the threads of history are guaranteed to keep the reader fully engaged. Sets the benchmark for historical fiction of the region.–Marcus Langdon, Author

British by birth, Rose Gan first arrived in Kuala Lumpur in 1978 and has been living and working between both UK and South East Asia ever since. Married to a Malaysian, and formerly a teacher of History and Latin in UK and Malaysia, Rose was also Vice Chair for Museums of the Indonesian Heritage Society, a guide and docent in Museum National Indonesia, Jakarta, and Muzium Negara and the Textile Museum in KL. In addition to lecturing to cultural associations, Rose has been actively involved with museum publications in Malaysia and Indonesia, both as a writer and editor.