Interview with Bernard Foong (pen name ‘Young’), author of the provocative ‘Harem Boy’ memoirs.

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A Harem Boy's Saga, Bernard Foong, Young

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I first came to know Bernard when I belonged to the same book club as him. His book ‘A Harem Boy’s Saga’ (the first in the ‘Harem Boy’ series) was chosen for reading, and I was fascinated by his adolescent experiences at a U.K boarding school, where he was initiated into a clandestine sexual society, E.R.O.S (The Enlightened Royal Oracle Society). From the U.K school he was periodically spirited to the Middle East, where for four years he also attended the Bahriji School (Oasis) in The United Arab Emirates in preparation for serving in Harems for the wealthy and elite. ‘A Harem Boy’s Saga’ is also a love story between Bernard and his ‘Valet’ Andy, who served as Bernard’s chaperone and mentor during his Harem service.

Since reading ‘A Harem Boy’s Saga’ I have always wanted to ask the following 20 questions, so I contacted Bernard, who kindly agreed to answer them.

1. Why did you wait 40 years to write ‘A Harem Boy’s Saga’, a true story of how you were initiated into a clandestine sexual society where yourself and other boys from your U.K boarding school were sent to the Middle East to serve wealthy aristocratic families?

Four years ago, after I closed my fashion boutique in Honolulu, I decided it was time to document my positive adolescent life experiences that I’ve kept under wraps for close to 40 years. That’s when A Harem Boy’s Saga; a memoir by Young (my pen-name) series was born.

An inner calling told me to document my unique education and now, is the correct moment to tell my story. Other factors that influenced me to write A Harem Boy’s Saga; a memoir by Young, a seven book series are – through my autobiography I hope to:

Provide Tolerance to Sissy Boys by educating parents/peers and the community to love and respect effeminate boys.
Anderson Cooper’s 360 CNN documentary on the devastating treatment of effeminate boys influenced me to tell my story.
Avoid Bullying through Big Brother/Big Sister volunteer programs in schools or outside the school system. Older students can act as mentors to younger students. Much like the experience I went through in my unique education.
Tolerance to Gay Adolescents – to improve parents/child/siblings relationship issues and support/mentorship program/programs to all parties involved, to foster understanding and acceptance of Gay teenagers.
Provide an Alternative Educational System: Fostering/ understanding Big-Brother/Big-Sister adolescent mentorship programs in schools, BB/BS as protectors to keep younger kids from being bullied.
Provide Human Relationship Building Programs between parents/teachers and young students on sexual topics/issues, especially when an adolescent is discovering their sexuality. They can be guided on a healthy and honest sexual journey instead of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” – hide it in the closet policy.

2. Did your parents ever find out what went on at the school?

They knew I was in a Middle Eastern student exchange program. I never told them the extra-curricular activities that went on during my time there. There was no need to. Besides, I made a pledge to the secret society not to reveal the nature. My parents died many years ago.

My memoirs are not exposes of the society or the people involved, but of my positive educational experiences during my time in service.

3. Did you and your father continue to be at loggerheads for years, or did the two of you ever come to a mutual understanding?

No. As you read in the last chapter of book I – Initiation, I did not return to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for his funeral. Foong Sr. was not an easy man to be with – at least in my experience.

4. Do you see much of your siblings these days, or did you grow apart?

We are not close. When I return home (Kuala Lumpur) for vacations, we do meet up for dinners on a superficial and cordial manner. Usually I only stay for 3 – 5 days; that’s hardly sufficient time to conduct an intimate sibling relationship. Besides, my siblings and I are not close to begin with due to our age differences

5. When you look back as an adult on your time at the U.K boarding school, what emotions do you feel at the loss of your childhood innocence?

I don’t consider myself having lost my childhood innocence. In fact I’m glad I matured earlier than most adolescence my age. I’ve always been more mature (both in intellect and stamina) than many of my school peers (both primary and secondary school). I was glad to mix/socialize with my “big-brothers” because I learned a great deal from them, rather than being an ignorant willy-nilly juvenile.

6. What were your thoughts as you flew to the Middle East for the first time?

Excited, invigorated, and looking forward to a new adventure.

7. Do pupils still attend the U.K boarding school today?

Of course. The school still exists, but I don’t know if the secret society program still does. Once recruits complete their four years of service and move on to post graduate studies, we are completely out of the program unless the recruit chooses to become a potential “E.R.O.S.” educator. But that is an entirely different programme that requires an entirely different skill set. That could only be considered after the recruit’s post-graduate studies. I will touch on this in the later books within the series.

8. Are you glad that you attended the school, or would you rather have missed your harem experiences altogether?

TOTALLY (more 101%) GLAD I attended the school and deeply honored to be selected into “E.R.O.S.” to be part of a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

9. Have you been contacted by any of the school’s present or former staff since ‘A Harem Boy’s Saga’ was published?

Read Book II – Unbridled to find out!

10. Have you been approached by literary agents or film producers since the book was published?

Yes. It is my Literary Agent who got me the film option contract with a UK producer operating in Hollywood.

11. Do you still keep in touch with Andy, your mentor at the time? If so, what is he doing now?

Read the rest of the series to find out!

12. Tell us about your new book that has just been published.

Here is the synopsis:

Turpitude is the fourth book to A Harem Boy’s Saga, a provocative story about a young man who was initiated into a clandestine sexual society through his UK boarding school. From there, he was spirited to the Middle East to attend the Bahriji (Oasis) School in The United Arab Emirates in preparation for Harem services for the wealthy elite.

It is also a love story between the young man, his ‘Big Brother,’ and his ‘Valet, who served as his chaperone and mentor. This book follows the teenagers’ erotic and exotic adventures and experiences at their fourth Arabian Household, the Assalamu Alaikum (Peace Be with You) Harem. There, they became confidants to a sheik, assistants to his numerous international ventures, especially that of a film production: “Kāmasūtra – Lover’s Tale.” The teenagers continue to apprentice and model in a controversial photography project, “Sacred Sex in Sacred Places.”

This story is an account of the author’s experiences. Through these truths, often demonized by contemporary societies that deem such behaviours inappropriate, the author hopes to dispel condemnation and negativity related to sexuality, love, and personal freedom.

13. How many more books in the Harem Boy series will there be?

Five to seven.

14. Which genre of books do you like to read?

I don’t have a specific genre. I read books that educate me. Books I can learn from and expand my mental and intellectual knowledge.

15. What is your most valuable possession?

My health.

16. Have you ever been a victim of homophobia as an adult?

No. If one is sure of oneself and love/respects the self, others will love/respect you.

17. Do you still work in the fashion industry, or is writing your main occupation now?

Writing is my main love. The older I get, I find “fashion” more superfluous. That doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy designing. Fashion will always be in my blood. It morphs into other areas of creativity.

18. How do you market your books? Which social media do you think is best for marketing purposes?

Like every author, I use social media as my main marketing tool. I’m more comfortable with Twitter.

19. What is your philosophy for a happy life?

One thing I learned is that peace can indeed be with you when you release, accept and go with the flow. Flow is the natural, effortless unfolding of our life that moves us toward wholeness and harmony.

20. Are you mesmerised by a field of waving wheat in a breeze?

Fascinated more than mesmerized.

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Thank you Bernard, for your candid answers.

To find Bernard online, please check out the following links:

A Harem Boy’s Saga; a memoir by Young

BOOK PURCHASE LINKS

Book I – Initiation (ebook) International: myBook.to/INITIATION

Book I – Initiation, Book II – Unbridled, Book III – Debauchery and Book IV – Turpitude (print and ebooks)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1FMlHVY

Book I – Initiation, Book II – Unbridled, Book III – Debauchery and Book IV – Turpitude (print and ebooks)

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1DkHC8v