Such is the drama that unfolds in “Harmony Heights”, local author Ong Chin Huat’s debut novel published by Penguin Random House SEA.
The titular condo block is home to a diverse cross-section of Malaysian society, from students and dentists to CEOs and expats. Most of them seem like perfectly fine and reputable people – but what happens when their sordid affairs and exploits are exposed to the world?
Padma is the no-nonsense wife of a judge who discovers a thrilling yet forbidden new hobby. Shamsul is a driver who gets caught up in suspicious activities. Jan and Erika are a multiracial couple who are trying to bring up their daughter, while Yi Wei is a student with a literal dirty secret that, if exposed, could destroy her life.
The lives of these characters unfold and intersect, building up to a suspenseful conclusion. Not everyone gets a happy ending, and some end up in very different places from where they began. Who will emerge from Harmony Heights on top?
“The thing about condo life is you can’t choose your neighbours. You can’t tell the developer, ‘I only want young and beautiful people on my floor’,” Ong told FMT Lifestyle with a laugh.
“No one wants difficult or noisy neighbours. But you have to take things as you get them.”
Born in Petaling Jaya, Ong is a journalist, freelance writer, fashion stylist and television host. He was the social editor of Hong Kong Tatler and once hosted the TV show “Hong Kong High Life”.
He shared that the idea for “Harmony Heights” first came to him in 2009, after he returned to Malaysia following his career stint in Hong Kong.
Ong had drafted an outline of the plot but never got past writing the first chapter. As life took over, he literally put his idea in a box and forgot about it.
Then, in 2020, a friend innocently asked if Ong had written a book during his time in lockdown. This led him to unearth the beginnings of his novel, and he decided to bring it to fruition.
Thus, in July 2021, Ong began working on his book in earnest. On the writing process, he shared: “The story developed quite organically. Some people who know me think certain characters are based on them. But no, the characters are based on everybody and nobody at all!
“I took the qualities of people I knew, and put them in a big salad bowl with characters from books and films.”
Much of his book is based on the “shadow self”, a psychology concept by Carl Jung. In a nutshell, it proposes that everyone has darker sides of themselves, which we must embrace to become a fully integrated person.
The author hopes his novel will inspire readers to develop and identify their true selves, and consider the impact their actions have on others.
“Everyone has issues and problems, no matter your wealth, status, or where you are in life. And we all have backstories, reasons for acting the way we do,” Ong mused.
“So, I hope people will pause and think carefully before judging or jumping to conclusions about anyone.”
Get your copy of ‘Harmony Heights’ from major bookstores nationwide.