小说通过男主角建国在2015年12月31日，回溯SG50这一年，以及他在这半世纪的生活与国家的发展。建国生于1959年，这一年新加坡成为自治邦，父亲便为他取名“建国”。建国是华校生，毕业后当公务员，铁饭碗，是一名建筑绘图员。随着政府部门私营化、电脑化，中年建国被裁，从此以教补习为业，“兼职”玩股票，积极的过自己的被裁生活。教补老师回望的2015年，对建国总理李光耀逝世、大选、烟霾突破100点等都心有戚戚焉，比如身为建国baby，他对建国总理的感受等。建国还编写了一本《SG50辞典》，在小说之外附设词典，记载这一年发生在新加坡或与新加坡人相关的人与事。

Kian Kok

Kian Kok is based on SG50, reflecting significant events and the progress of our nation state as Singaporeans celebrate the golden jubilee. Born in 1959, Chinese-educated Kian Kok worked as an architectural draughtsman until his mid-career retrenchment. As he looks back on major events of 2015, including the passing of Lee Kuan Yew and the General Election, they resonate deeply. An SG50 Dictionary detailing people and events that made the news during that year is included.