"The Singapore Grip" is a novel by J.G. Farrell set in Singapore during World War II. The story revolves around the Blackett family, who are British rubber traders and their struggle to survive during the Japanese invasion of Singapore.
The central conflict in the book is between the Blackett family and the invasion of Singapore by the Japanese army. The Blacketts, who are wealthy and powerful, have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo of British colonial rule, and they are reluctant to recognize the growing threat of the Japanese army. As the war unfolds, the family's business interests and way of life are threatened, and they must adapt to survive.
The conflict also includes the tension between the British and the Chinese in Singapore, with the Blacketts struggling to navigate the complicated racial and political landscape. The novel explores themes of power, imperialism, race, and identity in the context of war and upheaval.