• Family is not just about blood. It's about the people who love you unconditionally. • Life is too short to live with regrets. Seize the moment and t• Family is not just about blood. It's about the people who love you unconditionally. • Life is too short to live with regrets. Seize the moment and take chances. • Silent battles are fought by many, but support and love can help conquer them. - The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters by Balli Kaur Jaswal . (3.5 to be exact) The book immediately draws us into the story, showing how Sita, on her deathbed, has asked her three daughters—Rajni, Jezmeen, and Shirina—to embark on a pilgrimage to India together to scatter her ashes and honour her memory. From there, the narrative shifts to each sister's point of view, which I appreciated because they are well-rounded characters with distinct struggles. The author does a great job illustrating the complexities of family dynamics. We see that the sisters, though leading busy lives, are not especially close and even lived apart in a different country, but they agree to fulfil their mother's final wish. However, once they reached India, their different priorities and interests start to cause friction, leading to debates on how strictly they should follow their mother’s wishes. Throughout the book we can see that tensions among sisters kept on accumulating, conflicts arise, and long-held secrets come to the surface amidst the arguments. While I enjoyed the book overall, it didn't completely resonate with me. The constant bickering going back and forth among the sisters became somewhat tiresome, though I understand it was necessary for the the book to progress. I also have to say, as fellow traveller, this group would be a traveller’s nightmare. They struggle to manage their expectations, despite claiming not to have any, resist adapting to challenges, and seem unable to detach from the things that bother them. However, I can see that the author intention is to highlight the sisters’ contrasting personalities. At times, I found myself especially frustrated by Shirina’s interactions with her mother-in-law; it felt as though much of the mistreatment went unaddressed. Sehaj was such a Mama’s boy and his mother were typical dotted mother who can’t relinquish control of her own son. While the story seemed to suggest a message about standing up against such behaviour, it took so long for that confrontation to happen that it felt neglected. And when it did occur, the resolution felt rushed and unrealistic. Additionally, I believe the depiction of India might raise some concerns as it felt somewhat reductive. Overall, while I appreciated certain aspects, I found the book exhausting by the end. Perhaps I wasn’t in the right mindset when reading it....more
“Some lives are all too brief, while others are a continual struggle. I couldn’t help thinking that it was a brutal assessment of people’s lives to em “Some lives are all too brief, while others are a continual struggle. I couldn’t help thinking that it was a brutal assessment of people’s lives to employ usefulness to society as a yardstick by which to measure their value.” ― Durian Sukegawa, Sweet Bean Paste . As a fan of literary fiction, this story truly resonated with me. It begins with a sense of hopelessness and melancholy, but gradually, the reasons behind this tone become clear. I didn’t have high expectations when I picked it up; I simply wanted a change from my previous read. The fact that it’s also a translated work is an added bonus. We meet Sentaro, who works at a dorayaki shop to repay a debt owed to the shop owner's late husband. Sentaro seems to be living on autopilot, finding no joy in anything he does—he’s merely existing. Then, an elderly woman named Tokue visits the shop twice, offering to help for a much lower wage. Initially hesitant, Sentaro changes his mind after tasting the sweet bean paste Tokue makes. An unexpected and heartwarming friendship forms between them, with the plot progressing as they share their life stories and dreams. Tokue, in a way, becomes a mentor to Sentaro, teaching him how to make both the bean paste and the dough. Wakana, another character who appears later in the story, also bonds with Tokue and starts spending time at the dorayaki shop. Unfortunately, Tokue’s time at the shop is short-lived. Due to the stigma surrounding her past as a recovered leprosy patient, sales decline, and the shop owner’s wife insists that Sentaro let Tokue go. Tokue, feeling sorry for both the shop and Sentaro, decides to resign. Sentaro eventually quits as well when the owner’s wife plans to change the shop's direction. I anticipated the ending, as it aligns with the bittersweet nature of Japanese literature. What makes the story even more touching is that the author personally visited former patients of leprosy isolation centers and explored their experiences of being forced into quarantine until laws changed to release them when the disease was no longer a public threat. Overall, it was a fulfilling read—you’ll crave dorayaki while enjoying the writing, and at the same time, you'll understand the deeper message behind the story....more
I go stand next to a tour group so I can listen in on what their guide is saying. "And this is the tomb of Christopher Columbus. I move even closer asI go stand next to a tour group so I can listen in on what their guide is saying. "And this is the tomb of Christopher Columbus. I move even closer as the guide describes the remains in the tomb and how different parts of the world claim different pieces of Columbus's body for the honor of being able to say they have his final resting place. Malachi circles over. "You good, Santi?" I nod. But I don't know if I am. I walk away from the group to the other side of the massive casket and Malachi follows. "Do you know what the word 'Boricua' means?" Malachi shakes his head. "I know it's what all my Puerto Rican homies call themselves." "I've already told you my father is a big history buff when it comes to PR, and he doesn't need much prompting to remind me that before Columbus, Puerto Rico was called 'Borinken' by the Taíno people who lived there. He told me once it means Land of the brave and noble lords.' If he were here now he would be so pissed. All over the world there are monuments to Columbus, museums trying to claim a piece of his body as if he were a saint. And look at this here, all this gold they use to honor him, gold they got from our island in the first place, and hardly anyone remembers the enslaved people who dug through the rivers for that gold, who were there before he arrived. Whose descendants are still there now." And suddenly, the cathedral isn't so pretty to me anymore despite all its gold and glitter. - With the fire on high by Elizabeth Acevedo . It's a feel-good narrative, so if you're looking for something more realistic, this might not be the best choice. Let me explain my reasoning. The story revolves around a teenage mother who must balance raising her baby girl, Emma, with the challenges of an absent father named Julio, an elderly grandmother named Gloria, an overbearing ex and baby daddy, Tyrone, and a new love interest, Malachi, who just transferred to her school and seamlessly entered her life while try to pass both in academics and culinary studies. While the struggles are present, I found the main character's constant comparison of her difficulties to those of others—attributing them to her status as a young mother—frustrating. At one point, she mentions that her teacher won't understand her because their issues are different, attempting to highlight the challenges of motherhood. That said, I do appreciate Emoni as a character, especially since we rarely see young mothers in young adult literature, and this is my first exposure to a character connected to the Afro-Puerto Rican community. The descriptions of food throughout the book made me feel hungry; I could vividly imagine the colors and flavors of the dishes. However, I became confused about the book's purpose. There were moments when I finished a chapter and wondered, "What was the point of that?" Additionally, Emoni's problems seemed to resolve too quickly, and her interactions with her daughter were nearly non-existent. She continually referred to her as "baby girl," which really annoyed me—her daughter has a name, and it should be used! Despite my frustrations, I didn't completely dislike the book. I felt bored at times, but I could appreciate some of the intentions Elizabeth Acevedo had with her characters. Overall, it was decent, but I didn’t feel a strong connection to it, even though I valued the story itself!...more
All of the houses, stone or others, that Israeli bulldozers and-no less Israeli-bombs have and will destroy, rescue from the Israeli national ethos ofAll of the houses, stone or others, that Israeli bulldozers and-no less Israeli-bombs have and will destroy, rescue from the Israeli national ethos of return to the homeland the naked essence of our state. And this is how I meant to continue the sentence and write: that essence is the erasure of the other's existence for the sake of our own existence. We make the Palestinian disappear so that we Jews can prosper. But I have changed my mind and am writing: the real essence of our state is an ongoing attempt to erase the existence of the other for the sake of our own existence. An attempt to make the Palestinian disappear so that we Jews can prosper. The houses no longer stand. But the majority of their dwellers and carriers of their memory -down to the second and third and fourth generations- are alive and kicking, alive and resilient. In exile or in refugee camps a walking distance from their demolished homes, in rented apartments, in Palestinian enclaves in the West Bank and in villages inside Israel, whose land has been stolen from them. Displaced, but very much alive, they never cease to belong to The Home. The Israeli attempt at erasure succeeded only in part, hap-pily. But the partiality of that "success" does not halt the conveyor belt moving the state's essence in its repeated act of destruction and attempts to depopulate. Every additional demolition, every takeover of land is another knife plunged, and the unceasing continuity since 1948 only grows heavier. And with every knife, another question mark is raised about the "home-ness" of home and the reasons that I have to remain in it. - Stone Houses by Amira Hass : Freeman’s: The best new writing on home . . To be honest, the short stories by POC writers in this anthology are much stronger in execution. The plots are compelling, and with simple ideas, they carry the stories with excellent writing. I recognized some of the authors and had high expectations, having enjoyed most of their novels. The topics range from war and political persecution to immigrant insecurity and ideological divides. While some non-POC writers also contributed well, some stories seemed to focus on 'first world problems' - superficial for the most part. However, Kerri Arsenault's "Vacationland" stands out for its haunting portrayal of the impact of a paper mill factory on a rural community, highlighting the contradiction of dependence on it for income despite the health risks from its toxic materials. I was unsure about the inclusion of two Israeli authors in the collection, given current events. One story seemed to dehumanize Palestinians which seems to be what Israel has been doing with the complicit of Western Media, while another discussed their connection to land although when they first came to Palestine decades ago as a guests, which raised conflicting feelings and ideas. Most of the poems featured in the collection were the translations of famous poets but unfortunately i am not familiar with them simply because the literary world itself has been Western-centric. Overall, "Home" is a powerful collection where writers explore varied interpretations of what 'home' means—tangible, in memories, in people, or in a fleeting, uncertain existence. I put some of the titles that i think people should read from this collection : 1. Germany and Its Exiles By Herta Müller. 2. All the Home You've Got By Edwidge Danticat. 3. A Land Without Borders By Nir Baram 4. Pages of Fruit By Leila Aboulela 5. Vacationland By Kerri Arsenault 6. Fishermen Always Eat Fish Eyes By Xiaolu Guo 7. The Committed By Viet Thanh Nguyen 8. Stone Houses By Amira Hass. 9. Hope and Home By Rabih Alameddine 10. The curse by Emily Raboteau...more
“Where in Africa?’ My mind was a muddle of words and images: my mama, my brothers, the tree, Sir Richard, Mrs Cuthbert, Bill . . . Perhaps it was simp“Where in Africa?’ My mind was a muddle of words and images: my mama, my brothers, the tree, Sir Richard, Mrs Cuthbert, Bill . . . Perhaps it was simpler, easier, to just refer to my former life as a string of words and sentences, in the way Sir Richard had spoken on many occasions. A description of the land I grew up in from the mouth of an explorer: the Congo with its vast rainforests and endless rivers. A beauty that could not be replicated anywhere on this earth. Of all the countries from that great continent, none could hold a candle to the majestic Congo. None. ‘I once lived in the Congo,’ I said.” - The Attic Child by Lola Jaye . I'm not sure if I've ever read a book quite like this, chronicling a character's journey spanning nearly a century, but here we are. "The Attic Boy" was recommended by my book buddy for our upcoming discussion next month, and since I didn't have anything else to read at the moment, I decided to give it a try. What a journey Dikembe went through—from losing his identity to becoming Celestine, a refined gentleman fluent in British English. Educated in the upper-class English manner until Mr. Barbington's death, who brought him from Zaire/Congo, the plot unfolded linearly through Dikembe/Celestine's perspective and also explored the contemporary world through his great-granddaughter, Lowra. Fate brought them together, both held captive—one by a child groomer and the other by an abusive stepmother. Initially surprised by its substantial 440-page length, I'm glad Lola Jaye didn't rush the story. The novel skillfully parallels two generations: one struggling fiercely to survive and another drifting aimlessly burdened by trauma. It adeptly discusses King Leopold's history and his devastating impact on Africa, subtly yet leaving a profound impact on those familiar with the topic. The aftermath of colonization, racism, and class differences are intricately woven into the characters' lives. Despite the hardships, the book concludes on a hopeful note, which feels necessary after the ordeals endured by Dikembe/Celestine and Lowra. It's truly one of the best books I've read this year....more
Sometimes, privately, I wondered how Mrinal felt about not being married. Surely she experienced some regret at family gatherings when sisters and couSometimes, privately, I wondered how Mrinal felt about not being married. Surely she experienced some regret at family gatherings when sisters and cousins paraded their offspring and boasted about their husbands? But when I reexamined the photos where she posed against a fresco in the Ajanta caves or waved elegantly from the deck of a cruise ship with her direct, open smile, my doubts faded. She has the perfect existence-money, freedom, admiration, I would say to myself enviously, suddenly wanting it for myself, and she doesn't have to worry about pleasing anyone. Underneath my envy, though, I was happy for her. Whenever my own life depressed me with its clutter and its ordinariness, I took a strange solace in thinking of Mrinal's, which seemed to me to be fashioned with the same clean, confident strokes with which she had once designed her clothes. - Meeting Mrinal : Arranged Marriage by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni . None of the stories in the book are titled 'Arranged Marriage', though it seems the author's intention was to explore how many women find husbands through arranged marriages. Most stories are set in the USA, depicting the immigrant experience and focusing on women who must balance their roles as demure housewives and daughters-in-law. Interestingly, none of the male characters are portrayed positively; some are depicted as immature, threatening, or outright abusive. While this portrayal isn't surprising, I believe it does represent majority of what Indian Women faced in daily lives – either while in marriage and just in general to be honest. Despite this, the book is well-crafted, marking my introduction to Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's work, and I look forward to reading more from her. I've also noted down the themes of each story if you're considering buying the book. . Theme for each story : 1. The bats - Domestic Abuse 2. Clothes - POV of a young widow 4. Silver Pavements, Golden Roofs - Glorification of living abroad and the reality of it 6. The Word Love - Mother & Daughter Complicated relationship 8. A perfect life - Exploring Motherhood? 9. The Maid Servant’s Story - Classism 10. The Disappearance - POV of a person who’s being ghosted in a relationship / A jilted lover 11. Doors - Personal Space and Boundary 12. The Ultrasound - Female Feticide 13. Affair - Infidelity 14. Meeting Mrinal - Grass is always greener on the other side...more
‘If I’m not dressed for a role, then who am I?’ she said. ‘If I don’t know who I am, then how can I know what I want? The hijab wasn’t forced on me ag‘If I’m not dressed for a role, then who am I?’ she said. ‘If I don’t know who I am, then how can I know what I want? The hijab wasn’t forced on me against my will, but I wasn’t given a choice to wear it or not, either. It was what the other older girls in my family were wearing. It felt natural that at a certain age I would wear it too. But if I were free to choose, I might not have chosen it. I might have chosen something else. Maybe I would have dressed like Mulan or like a cowgirl. We think we are the ones wearing an outfit, but it’s imprinting itself on us.’ Iman could not believe her own fluency, how she was talking and the other two were listening. It had never happened before. Not one stutter, not one fumble for words. She went on. ‘Maybe no one in the world really has a choice. Even men. If you’re born in a certain place or a certain century, you just fall in line and dress like everyone is dressing. The kind of clothes you would find in the shops. It’s artificial. And I want what is natural, what is true to myself, the self I was born to be . . .’ - Bird Summons by Leila Aboulela . 3.5 stars to be exact - This is my personal view of the book, but I want to start by noting that it seems primarily written for Muslim women, especially those who have struggled to integrate their identities while balancing the roles of mother, wife, and individual seeking fulfillment. The story highlights the expectations tied to these roles and identities. I can understand why some non-Muslim readers rated it lower or found it difficult to grasp the significance of the Hoopoe bird. As the author mentions on the final page, the Hoopoe, important in the Qur'an, offers wisdom and guidance. The author draws from Islamic lore to present this bird as a mystical guide for the women during their journey to Scotland in search of Lady Zainab Evelyn Cobbold's grave. If you're hoping to learn a lot about Lady Evelyn, it's worth noting upfront that her story isn't central to the plot, despite the book's blurb suggesting a road trip or expedition centered on her. In reality, that part is more of a side quest. Regarding the Hoopoe, it took me some time to adjust to the way the narrative shifted between realism and magical realism. I didn't mind it, but I wish I'd been given a hint early on that the story would evolve into something akin to a dream-like or feverish journey, so I could better prepare for the ending. The conclusion, infused with magical realism, sees the women facing their fears and finding resolution with the Hoopoe's guidance. While the shifting perspectives can be challenging, the distinct personalities of each woman eventually make it easier to follow their stories. Overall, the book offers a thoughtful exploration of Muslim women's experiences, though its layers may require careful reading to fully appreciate....more
In any case, there was a message of mourning in the photos; it signalled that the source of the tragedy had been terminated. Even if I were willing toIn any case, there was a message of mourning in the photos; it signalled that the source of the tragedy had been terminated. Even if I were willing to write captions for the photographs, I doubt that I would have been brave enough to look at his work. Hadn't Ojuzi been led astray, following him wherever he went? She'd have held her breath, her eye behind the viewfinder, as she waited for a perfect shot framed by the master. Filled with adulation, her face brimming with my sort of naivety, she was oblivious to the notion that in his loneliness, so timeworn, he could succumb to the power of youth. What a pity, those once brilliant blossoms, my enemy's cherry tree. The heartache hit me after I sobered up, and the disappearance of the tree triggered even greater sorrow. Miss Baixiu's hopes would surely be dashed. How could she think that I would be high-minded enough to forgive her father, for that would amount to inserting the word 'love' into 'hate'? I turned over the photo without the tree and wrote a brief soliloquy late that night: An enemy destroyed in a dream; a cherry tree blooming at the bead of the bed - My Enemy’s Cherry Tree by Wang Ting Kuo . I believe this is my first Taiwanese novel, and it was translated into English by Howard Goldblatt and Sylvia Li-chun Lin. Honestly, they did an admirable job with the translation. The book starts off incredibly well. The prose is melancholic and poetic, with quotes that remind me of contemporary Korean and Japanese fiction. I found myself effortlessly passing through each sentence and turning the pages with ease. The story follows a man who comes from a background of poverty and loss, starting with nothing and gradually building a life for himself. Along the way, he finds love and happiness with Qiuzi. They share the same dream and are committed to building a future together, but something changes along the way. One day, Qiuzi disappears without a trace or goodbye, leaving him brokenhearted and frustrated. We follow him as he retraces his steps, trying to understand why Qiuzi left. He blames his suffering on Luo Yiming, a wealthy businessman they both met and connected with. He then opens a small café in a place where they were once happy, hoping she'll return one day. I appreciate how the central conflict becomes the novel's focal point without demanding a resolution. It serves as the character's point of reference—like a window into his life. However, as the story progresses, it becomes confusing and difficult to follow. I enjoyed the beginning and the end, but the middle lost me, unfortunately. Despite this, I did enjoy the writing style. Even though we don't get a clear answer about Qiuzi’s whereabouts, I have a sense that she's somewhere pursuing her newfound passion, no longer tied to a mundane, lonely life or waiting for her husband to return from chasing his dream. I also suspect that Qiuzi left because she felt guilty about cheating on her husband with Luo Yiming, possibly doing so to secure funding for her husband's business proposal. I do believe that this book isn’t for everyone. If you’re looking for a strong plot, this might not be the right choice. But if you’re drawn to deep imagery and a poignant tale of waiting, longing, and loss, then this is a book you should consider....more
The whale has always held a special place in the order of things, even before those times of Paikea. That was way back, after the Sky Father and EarthThe whale has always held a special place in the order of things, even before those times of Paikea. That was way back, after the Sky Father and Earth Mother had been sepa-rated, when the God children of both parents divided up between themselves the various Kingdoms of the Earth. It was the Lord Tangaroa who took the Kingdom of the Ocean; he was second in rank only to the Lord Tane, the Father of Man and the Forests, and so was established by them the close kinship of man with the inhabitants of the ocean, and of land with sea. This was the first communion. Then the Lord Tangaroa appointed the triad of Kiwa, Rona, and Kaukau to assist his sovereign rule: Kiwa to be guardian of the southern ocean, Rona to help control the tides, and Kaukau to aid the welfare of the sea's denizens. To the triad, two other guardians from the Kingdom of the Land, Takaaho and Te Puwhakahara, brought a special suit: Their offspring had been given lakes to live in, but they preferred to roam the freedom of the sea. The suit was ac-cepted, and this was how sharks and whales were granted habitation of the ocean. From the very beginning, the whale was grateful for this release, and this was why the whale family, the Wehenga-kauiki, became known as the helpers of men lost at sea. Whenever asked, the whale would attend the call, as long as the mariner possessed the necessary authority and knew the way of talking to whales. But as the world aged and man grew away from his god-liness, he began to lose the power of speech with whales, the power of interlock. So it was that the knowledge of whale speaking was given only to a few. One of these was our ancestor Paikea. Then came the time when Paikea asked his whale to bring him to our land, far to the south, and it was done. As for the whale itself, some people say the whale was transformed into an island; viewed from the highway to Tolaga Bay, the island certainly does look like a whale breaking through the water. - The Whale Rider by Witi Ihaemera . "The Whale Rider" is a young adult novel centered on eight-year-old Kahu, a Māori girl from the tribe of Whangara, New Zealand. Although Kahu is the protagonist, the story is narrated by her uncle, which adds a disappointing perspective, if I am to be honest. I expected this to be done in a POV of Kahu. The narrative intertwines the lives of both humans and whales, highlighting the deep connection between the two and the impact of events, such as nuclear testing in the Pacific, from the whales' viewpoint. As I finished ‘War of the Whales last year’ by Joshua Horwitz, I need to highlight that whale strandings are common, and many are resolved by returning uninjured whales to the sea. However, when large numbers of whales beach themselves at the same time and appear disoriented, it raises concerns. Marine biologists and scientists often investigate these unusual events, and while they are hesitant to assign blame, many suspect that sonar emissions from Navy submarines are the cause. These sonar operations, which can last for days, interfere with the whales' echolocation abilities, disrupting their migration, movements, and potentially harming their organs. The loud sonar signals interfere with the whales' communication and navigation, leading to disorientation and strandings. At its core, the novel explores te ao Māori, the Māori worldview, and the ancestral lineage (whakapapa) of the mana whenua (people of the land) in Whangara, linking their heritage with the whales. Kahu's journey is one of love, tradition, and the struggle for acceptance. Her great-grandfather, Koro Apirana, is an aging chief who yearns for a male heir to uphold tradition. Upon Kahu's birth, he is disheartened, as Māori customs often favor male successors. Despite her great-grandfather's disappointment, Kahu is determined to earn his love and respect. Her pivotal moment comes when she saves beached whales, proving her rightful place as the heir of the whale rider, an ancient ancestor who rode a whale to their land. While the book is being celebrated as the focus on indigenous themes and female empowerment, we cannot overlooked how the whole plot reflects a patriarchal perspective. The narrative is largely male-focused, and female characters, including Kahu and her grandmother, often seek male approval rather than pursuing their own identities. Her grandmother tried to resist but still not a match to what has been dictate ages ago. Despite Kahu's achievements, her status is tied to qualities traditionally associated with males, raising questions about the representation of women in the story. I get that it’s a trope and this was published years ago but it really is disheartening to read about the whale rider but often the achievement is excelled because the main character finally earned the male validation. Overall, while Kahu's arc is compelling particularly in the whale narration , the underdevelopment of characters did detract from the overall experience, making some parts feel redundant. The novel offers a blend of ancient mythology and contemporary struggles, but its execution has drawn mixed reactions regarding its of gender roles....more
“The mightiest power of death is not that it can make people die, but that it can make the people left behind want to stop living, she thinks, without“The mightiest power of death is not that it can make people die, but that it can make the people left behind want to stop living, she thinks, without remembering where she heard that. ” - My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman . To be frank, the book is such a freaking chore to finish it. I was exhausted by it. Sure, the loss of a grandparents is an incredibly significant experience, as the relationship between a grandchild and their grandparents is rich with love, warmth, and treasured memories. For those who’ve grandmas knew that grandmothers occupy a unique and cherished position in their grandchildren's lives, providing constant support and affection. The fact that they are getting older and withered every year highlighted that the idea of their absence getting closer every year. It is honestly difficult to bear, and every moment we have with our grandparents shared is held dear. Hence the premise of this book revolved around the relationship between Elsa and Granny. In this story, the relationship between Elsa and her grandmother was unconventional but still heartwarming and precious . Throughout the story, it was clear that Elsa's grandmother showered her with deep (and sometimes tough) love and care. However, i felt nothing towards both of them. I dislike Elsa and I am annoyed with Granny. The constant return to fairy tale elements made the book irritating for me. This happened right after Granny Passed away, I was tempted to abandon it several times. The story had potential but was overshadowed by many distractions and repetitive details that I didn't enjoy. I appreciate Frederick Backman's portrayal of elderly characters in his books, particularly how he explores their lives. However, the trope of "granny acting like a child and a child acting like an adult" did not resonate with me, bringing similar themes I've seen before in Backman's works like 'The Man Called Ove', albeit with gender roles reversed and infused with fairy tales. I struggled to connect with the characters and found the eccentric behaviour of older characters around Elsa and Elsa herself choose to act like she is way mature than her current age. I understand the book's intent—to celebrate imagination, childhood, and the importance of family—but ultimately, I found it tedious. The characters felt bland, and despite the potential for life lessons on bullying, loss, and family dynamics, the execution fell short of my expectations. It pains me to say this as I did somewhat love ‘The man called Ove’ but this one felt like a chore to read....more
“ and the red car was parked on the sidewalk in the same place as yesterday, only no one was inside. It was just sitting there in the sun, completely “ and the red car was parked on the sidewalk in the same place as yesterday, only no one was inside. It was just sitting there in the sun, completely empty. To ask what it was doing there would have been as senseless as asking the same thing of the trees, the clouds, or the rooftops. I was just about ready to accept the idea that the unoccupied car should simply be where it was. Up here in the flat Paul's steps were making the floor creak, while down below on the sidewalk a woman walked into her own shadow. The summer clouds were bright and high, or, rather, soft and close, while Paul and I seemed as if we'd been stored on the wrong shelf, too tired, placed too high off the ground. Neither of us really wanted to stave off defeat—I don't even think Paul did. Our misfortune went on and on, weighing us down. Happiness had become a liability, and my ass-backward luck a kind of trap. If we tried to protect each other, it would come to noth-ing. Just as when Paul joined me at the window and I ran the tip of my finger across his chin to keep him from sticking his head out. He sensed the restraint in my affection and leaned outside: he saw the red car. Tenderness has its own meshes, whenever I attempt to spin threads like a spider I get stuck in my own web, in so many little lumpy balls. I yielded the window to Paul, he didn't think the unoccupied red car was worth more than a passing curse. “ - The appointment by Herta Muller (Translated by Micheal Hulse and Philip Boehm) . . The book received critical acclaim, but I was utterly disappointed in it. It tells the story of a young woman in communist Romania who is interrogated by the secret police for hiding notes in clothes. While this might seems intriguing, the book itself lacks a clear hero or plot. Instead, it has a jumbled, fragmented narrative without chapters, which was frustrating for the readers in general including myself. You might wonder what kind of crime that our main character did that made her repeatedly questioned by Major Albu, a government official? Her "crime" is sewing notes with her name and contact details into men's slacks at her factory job, hoping someone will marry her so she can leave the country. One might think the crime was not even considered a crime in the current context but Herta Muller wanted to show that the harshness of life under the regime is evident. In this story particularly under Ceauşescu the author showed how it caused numbness in living life and causing people to simply give up. While the book reveals some aspects of this life, it does so in a confusing way. The novel appeals to those who enjoy bleakness in literature, which i must say what i usually love to read but it failed to appeal to me. While the subject matter is interesting, the plot had inconsistencies, and the ending was unclear. Under the regime itself, whereby people don’t really have a will to live but somehow indulging in affairs made it so contradictory in connection to many of the characters in the book. I have to say that it does make me feel all these sexual relationships are pointless no matter how prominent they are in the book. Although these affairs were made to be meaningless as it is not based on love or lust. I have to acknowledges the author, Herta Muller is a good writer. The book thrived on highlighting a stream of consciousness of our main character which occasionally offered brilliant metaphors and insights. Be that as it may, this particular book felt dull, unappealing and difficult to read....more
Nothing you read in this book will be out of context though I wish it will be but sadly, it's not. Zurinah explored the gender roles, inequality and pNothing you read in this book will be out of context though I wish it will be but sadly, it's not. Zurinah explored the gender roles, inequality and preferential treatment, femininity issues and society's double standards towards women in this book. All 12 short stories is somehow relatable at certain point and hit close towards home specifically on how Malaysian society perceived women. 1. If you are not married, everything you do will be related to the reason why you are not married. For example, no wonder she has no husband, she's so strict and cold-hearted. 2. If you are married, family is your priority. You should be prepared to say goodbye to your career, aspiration, or ambition. 3. No matter how successful or educated women can be, the question that were raised here is can she cook? can she take care of her husband? can she managed her house? 4. Whatever men choose do to pursue his career will not have the same repercussions with whatever women choose to do to pursue her career. Zurinah Hassan's stories is simple and short but sometimes that's all you need to highlight the issue. It's not necessarily has to have a plot twist or non linear style. My favorite stories in this book would be 'Perjalanan Sendiri' dan 'Anita'....more
On the other hand, my sister isn't more than twice as friendly as 1 am. I would say that she's maybe 20 percent friendlier than me, maybe as much as 3On the other hand, my sister isn't more than twice as friendly as 1 am. I would say that she's maybe 20 percent friendlier than me, maybe as much as 30 percent more fun overall. I can be aloof and difficult to reach out to; I tend to simmer and withdraw into myself when I'm upset; I can sometimes make harsh judgments about people too quickly or because I feel threatened by someone's behavior or personality or way of talking. But my sister can be explosive. She gets into fights and tells people what she really thinks of them, no holds barred, no punches pulled. She breaks off friendships abruptly, dramatically, while I let them wither through studied inattention. So really, those things should balance each other out and we should have about the same number of friends or maybe she should have a few more than me. But not twice as many. I put the disparity down to the fact that I'm a person who has high standards for friendship. I don't count just anyone as a friend. For example, I don't pretend that I'm friends with someone whom I just spent time around getting stoned in college. I don't count as a friend someone with whom I just share mutual friends and acquaintances. I don't know if my sister has these high standards. - On Friendship : Viral Stories by Emily Mitchell . . These are my thoughts after i read each story. 2. Smile Report : This is like a credit score for a person except they rated your smile while you are doing your job. It has the black mirror vibe. 3. On Friendship : There are many POVs in this story. One whereby the frienship was not committed on the same level, One whereby the ideology is too vast to even reconcile and One where it was tested by love. Side note : Being 30s taught me that if a friend did not commit to a friendship as much as i did, i am not gonna stay around. Its Quality over quantity yall. 4. Lucille's House : The main character find closure after the death of her loved ones. 5. States : USA was never in my travel list so its quite nice to read some sort of itinerary that author described each states and their specialty in it. 6. Three Marriages : Love the first one, Quite shooketh with the second one, The third story was just okay for me 7. A Boy My Sister Dated in High School : Girl, go to therapy - you cannot change the past but you can heal from it (do it for you). 8. My Daughter and Her Spider : This is not for me - i dont like spider so its a big No - No for me. 9. If You Cannot Go to Sleep : Abandonment Issue plus Hallucination and add on self aware, then we got this story. 10. No-No : The story highlighted how many Japanese Americans faced Discrimination and forced relocation during the World War 2. It was subtly written. 11. Guided Meditation : I can easily said meditation is not for me after i finished this story. 12. Viral : This could have been a full fledged novel - the story is about some sort of cult suicidal movement that attract teenagers via internet. 13. Biographies : What is the point of this story? its almost obnoxiously narcissistic at this point to insert yourself in this though i know the title is ‘Biographies’....more
“Det clears his throat. “I realised when you were taken away that I can’t be mad at you. It’s not fair, because you can’t understand my love for the K“Det clears his throat. “I realised when you were taken away that I can’t be mad at you. It’s not fair, because you can’t understand my love for the King. It’s something you’re born with. It can’t be explained to outsiders; it’s in us, lodged in us, from birth. I mean, you climbed over the gates into his palace. He saved your life during the protests. And you still don’t understand. It doesn’t matter what we’re trying to change. We can only do it with him. You’re in his country, living in his house.” Lek nods, wondering. She doesn’t feel reverence, not in Det’s subterranean way. The current king says he believes in democracy, so she knows that the constitution will be completed, and that the prime minister appointed by the palace, Sanya, will step aside for proper elections. Beyond that—nothing. Lek could shake the King’s hand and not tremble. She would be a human in contact with another human, that’s all. It isn’t the same as the reverence Det describes at all. What does make Lek pause is Det’s certainty. She’s humbled by it. She recognises it. It’s faith, like those nuns and their foreign grace.” - A Good True Thai by Sunisa Manning . "A Good True Thai" is a novel set in Bangkok, Thailand, during the early 1970s. The story takes place under a military dictatorship, and the main characters are Det, Chang, Lek and Dao which will come much later into this equation of friendship. Det is a student struggling with his mixed identity which is somehow a combination of a high-born sort of royal family from his maternal side and commoner which is from his father side . Chang is Det's best friend and a passionate activist fighting for democracy but somewhat understand that for the protests to work, he needed all the help that he can get including using Det’s connection. Lek is a wealthy young woman who becomes more politically engaged through her relationship with Det and Chang. As the political situation in Thailand intensifies, Det, Chang, and Lek become more involved in student protests against the military regime. They demand an end to military rule and refused to be ruled by the dictator again. The novel proceed with Det, Chang and Lek ran into the jungle and associated themselves with communist soldiers so that they could have what they envisioned for Thai Society to be equal and to dismantle the elite society. Idealism was crushed, friendship was torn down and the lives were destroyed - that was the aftermath of a brutal crackdown on student protesters at Thammasat University. All of them faced the harsh realities of political repression. The ending was a sober one as the struggle for democracy is crushed, it still provides a sense of hope as the characters and the Thai people continue to carry the spirit of resistance and the desire for a just society. I actually find this novel boring and quite slow despite it did pick up its pace after the first 100 pages. I love Dao as she has much more resolve and certain in what she wanted to do compared to all these city-born characters. Overall, "A Good True Thai" provides a poignant and compelling look at a critical period in Thailand's history, highlighting the personal stories behind the political events. If you have no idea about Thailand’s political situation and would like to know more about it, i would say this book is quite informative and enlightening on the given topic....more
"Well, you see, Saleh," I said, offhand, "the human body is a strange thing," and I rambled on about how the blood circulated in the body, and what ma"Well, you see, Saleh," I said, offhand, "the human body is a strange thing," and I rambled on about how the blood circulated in the body, and what made the heart beat and I went on to describe several other functions. I paused to see how this was going down and whether they had forgotten the question. But Saleh screwed up his eyes again. "But what's this 'moris' the Effendi is talking about?" he insisted. Abou Ebeid was still flashing his cold smile at me. "That'll teach you," he seemed to be saying. When he saw I did not answer Saleh immediately he volunteered. "With your permission, Doctor. Well, you see, folks, a human being is all filled inside with lime and iron and arsenic and mercuric chloride, and Markuro Cron... and as long as we are alive these things float about in our bodies, but as soon as a person dies they sort of get stuck together in a lump, as you might say, like a mud pie, so that when you come to feel a dead body with your hands you will find it feels exactly like a plank of wood." What he was saying was so preposterous they would not allow themselves to believe it until I approved. They turned to me and waited. I could think of nothing by which to refute Abou Ebeid's learning, so I nodded, which they took for acqui-escence. Only then did their remarks come, all in the same breath. "After all, a man's nothing but carrion." - The Caller in the night by Yusuf Idris (The Cheapest Night) .
Naquib Mahfouz and Yusuf Idris are often compared, with their works seen as reflections of each other in both novels and stories. Personally, I find Yusuf Idris' writing to be more palatable. By "palatable," I mean that Idris focuses on highlighting the lives of the working class and the struggling poor in his country. However, it is important to acknowledge that the depiction of women in his stories is another topic of discussion. Many would argue that the sexism and oversexualization of some female characters can be attributed to the time period in which these stories were written, the 1950s. Despite this, I believe it is necessary to overlook these aspects and focus on the broader themes and messages conveyed in the stories. One aspect I agree with is the editor's introduction, which emphasizes that Idris does not judge his characters in his stories. Regardless of how simple the stories may be, they provide a sense of closure and often convey strong moral lessons. It is remarkable how Idris manages to make his stories work without relying on excessive exposition or lengthy explanations. There is a certain subtlety in his writing that allows the stories to speak for themselves if that makes sense. In contrast to some authors who tend to be preachy in their storytelling, Idris demonstrates a poignant portrayal of Egyptian lower-class society, primarily based in Cairo. His stories vividly depict the harsh realities of poverty, the pervasive ignorance that plagues communities, and the daily struggles faced by ordinary people living in small towns and villages. Through his writing, Idris sheds light on the often-overlooked lives of those at the bottom of the social ladder, offering readers a deep understanding of their experiences. In conclusion, Yusuf Idris' works stand out for their focus on the working class and the struggling poor in Egypt. While there may be discussions surrounding the depiction of women in his stories, the overall impact of his writing is undeniable. The stories provide a sense of closure and moral guidance, without the need for excessive explanation. Idris' portrayal of Egyptian lower-class society is both poignant and thought-provoking, shedding light on the harsh realities faced by ordinary people in their daily lives. . These are the list of stories featured in the book and the rating I gave for each one of them. 1. The Cheapest Nights – 4/5 2. You Are Everything to Me – 3/5 3. The Errand – 5/5 4. Hard Up - 5/5 5. The Queue – 3/5 6. The Funeral Ceremony – 5/5 7. All on a Summer's Night – 3/5 8. The Caller in the Night - 5/5 9. The Dregs of the City - 5/5 10. Did You Have to Turn on the Light, Li-Li? - 4/5 11. Death from Old Age – 4/5 12. Bringing in the bride – 3/5 13. The Shame - 5/5 14. Because the Day of Judgment Never Comes – 4/5 15. The Freak – 5/5...more
"Saya sokong PBB!" Kata lelaki muda itu. Rawnahim melongo. Sebenarnya, jiwanya membenci nama itu. PBB adalah nama besar. PBB - Persatuan Bangsa-bangsa"Saya sokong PBB!" Kata lelaki muda itu. Rawnahim melongo. Sebenarnya, jiwanya membenci nama itu. PBB adalah nama besar. PBB - Persatuan Bangsa-bangsa Bersatu. Atau sesekali dia terasa lelucon tersangkut pada nama besar - PBB - itu, kerana kadang-kadang PBB disebut sebagai: PEMBOHONGAN BANGSA-BANGSA BERTAMADUN. Semua orang cakap PBB tidak berfungsi lagi. Semua orang kata PBB tidak boleh diharap lagi. Dan semua orang bilang PBB tidak berkokok, menyalak dan mengaum lagi. Kalau disinonimkan PBB sebagai jantan, dia sememangaya sudah mati “. Tetapi saya tidak! Saya bukanlah seperti PBB itu! Saya bersimpati terhadap golongan miskin itu. Ada anak kecil yang masih bayi dibuang ke dalam tong sampah! Bukankah itu kejam? Mengapa encik sokong PBB?" Rawnahim tunduk seperti ber-sedih. Dia benci PBB, dan dia marah PBB dan dia tidak suka lagi PBB seperti dulu-dulu. Sesekali perasaan itu dilontarkan jauh dipojok hatinya. Entah mengapa dia tidak tahu, adakah kerana nama itu PBB atau karutnya PBB kepada para anggotanya? - Penjual Surat Khabar dan Lampu Isyarat by Buang Haji Umar (Wajah Kita - Antologi Karya Penulis Sarawak) . Full disclosure - Aside from Jeniri Amir and Jong Chian Lai, i have never read any of these authors. I think whenever local authors is being mentioned especially from Sabah And Sarawak, the exposure is still not much especially if they are writing it in Malay. But, this book was compiled in such a solid manner. I enjoyed almost all the short stories in it despite some themes were quite outdated but it is understandable considering the publication year. The poems compiled also were penned by 16 poets in such an emotive and intense manner. The only drawback i can share from these poems is that some of it focused the place that located oversea. I would rather much read about places in Sarawak rather than poems about edinburgh and so on (even though it is written by Sarawakian Poets). None of the themes were repetitive and you can see the diversity in what they are trying to point out in the poem. I think the essays is the most surprising part of the book - it brought forward so many arguments and convincing points in highlighting the strengths and weakness of one of the prominent sarawakian literature - Melati Sarawak by Muhammad Rakawi Yusuf and Kelingkang by Douglas Jaga. I have read Kelingkang so i am able to take it in what the author trying to argue in his essays but I have not yet read Melati Sarawak. The thing is once you have read the critical essay of a novel, you already know the story and ‘the supposed theory of what went wrong with the book’ - which i find at the end of the day did cause me not wanting to read the book anymore despite its being the first modern novel written in Sarawak. Overall, this has been a great read! I did provide content below just in case if you are curious on the list of works that has been compiled in this book. . ESSAY / ESEI 1. Saiee Driss - Masyarakat Melayu di Kuching Akhir Tahun 1920-an: Analisis Sosiobudaya Novel Melati Sarawak 2. Jeniri Amir - Puisi Mutakhir Penyair Sarawak : antara Konvensi, Inovasi dan Estetika 3. Awang Azman Awang Pawi - Kritikan Sastera Sarawak : Dahulu, Kini dan Masa Depan - Ikon Kebudayaan Kelingkang* . SHORT STORIES / CERPEN Jali Haji Kenoi - Tidak Semuanya Sama Jong Chian Lai - Bulan Bercanda - Jalur Gemilang Hajijah Jais - Anak Cucu Berbelang-belang Dahiri Saini - Aneh @ Fitrah - Monolog Jais Sahok - Munajat di Pusara Douglas Jaga - Tumbuhnya Sepohon Kelapa ... - Fajar Yang Merah Awangku Merali Pengeran Mohammed - Air Hati Buang Haji Umar - Penjual Surat Khabar dan Lampu Isyarat . POEMS / PUISI Roslan Jomel - Surat kepada Aying - Gelas di Tepi Tasik Adi Badiozaman Tuah - Pertemuan di Hyde Park - Tetamu Malam di Paris - Pertemuan di Edinburgh Abizai - ilham - ilham (2) Mohd. Taufek Mohd. Saed Merasa Khuatir - Menjadi Sentimental - Menterjemah Bibir Hajah Latifah Haji Mohd. Shebli - Kabut di Padang Merdeka - Pertemuan Ini - Khabarkan kepada Nusantara Il Poul Nanggang - Senapang Ayah - Melakarkan Ego Zahirah Zaidani - Cinta Rasulullah - Bahasa yang Paling Ibu Jeli Bohari Bihar - Bulan Terlalu Jauh - Di Matamu Nestapa Saiee Driss - Burung Pungguk - Banjir 2001 - Menerka Pharo Abdul Hakim - Namanya Suhana a/p Marina - Sayonara Jali Haji Kenoi - Siang Ini Hipani Alwi - Sungai - Daun Yusuf Mustanir - Mona Lisa dan Menara Condong Pisa - Alam Melayu Baru - Perjuangan dan Aku (Buat Joan yang merayau di Senja Luzern) Dahiri Saini - Tikus - Kucingku - Logik Jaafar Haji Hamdan - Jangan - Laut Kehidupan - Setelah Langit Menjadi Biru Jais Sahok - Pemberontakan Puisi...more
“The west you talk about doesn’t exist. It’s a fairytale, a fantasy you sell yourself because the alternative is to admit that you are the least impor“The west you talk about doesn’t exist. It’s a fairytale, a fantasy you sell yourself because the alternative is to admit that you are the least important character in your own story. You invent an entire world because your conscience demands it, you invent good people and bad people and you draw a neat line between them because your simplistic morality demands it. But the two kinds of people in this world are not good and bad, they are engines and fuel. Go ahead, change your country, change your name, change your accent, pull the skin right off your bones, but in their eyes they will always be the engines and you will always, always be fuel.” ― Omar El Akkad, What Strange Paradise . The book is about a refugee crisis mixed with a loose retelling of Peter Pan. Amir, who calls himself David when he arrives, ends up on a beach near a resort town. This mirrors the real event from September 2, 2015, when a photo of 3-year-old Alan Kurdi, who drowned trying to reach Greece, shocked the world. The book aims to highlight the refugee crisis and its complexities. In the story, Vänna, the main character, finds Amir and does her best to help him despite being young and facing a language barrier. Amir has to decide if he can trust Vänna, and she has to figure out how far she will go to help him, even if it’s more than she can handle. The book's slow pace reflects the heavy emotions of the children’s situation. Chapters are labeled "Before" or "After," referring to Vänna. These pieces reveal more about Amir, though they don't add much to the plot. The book discusses important themes like climate change and war forcing people from their homes. I appreciated the focus on children but wished they had more voice. Instead, the story gave more space to the powerful adult character. Another downside was the lack of development for most characters. The book portrays war in simple good vs. evil terms, missing its complicated, messy nature. Despite these issues, it’s a thought-provoking book, though it feels average until the end....more
I felt remorseful because I liked needling her for no reason. I wasn’t pious or devout the way she was, but I had faith in my own way. I just didn’t pI felt remorseful because I liked needling her for no reason. I wasn’t pious or devout the way she was, but I had faith in my own way. I just didn’t put much store by obligations and teachings. I considered them signposts on the path to God for those who needed them—a code of conduct that they felt was necessary, but I felt no such need. I knew that God existed, that the universe and all it encompassed weren’t just random occurrences that had no rhyme or reason—even though I still had many questions to which I hadn’t found any clear answers. Questions about the universe, about mankind and nature. The question that bothered me in particular was how God could allow all the evil “ there was without punishing its perpetrators, despite being omnipresent—not just in holy books, prayers, and houses of worship, but in nature, in beauty. It didn’t matter to me which of the many paths to God people followed. The path itself was no guarantee of the seeker’s purity, in any case. People, both good and bad, trod the path to God, and some thought theirs was the only true way.” - The Baghdad Eucharist by Sinan Antoon . In this book, despite a slow start, I am captivated by the exploration of family dynamics and the tragic history of Iraq. It serves as a reminder to many of us that not all Iraqis are Muslim and how the author highlights the difficult choices people face during times of violence. The book also sheds light on the plight of the Iraqi Christian community, one of the oldest in the world, which has suffered greatly after the US invasion of Iraq and the rise of ISIS. The story follows a Christian family in modern-day Baghdad, with an elderly uncle living in the past and his niece and her husband who have only known war and turmoil. The book reaches a climax when they are held hostage at their church, resulting in the loss of many lives and a profound transformation for the niece. Despite being an easy read, the book manages to evoke strong emotions and complexity, providing a nuanced perspective on Christians in Iraq and the overall situation in the country....more
Marriage was a disappointment. Colder than Hortensia had imagined, it was the sad end to her Sunday-school belief in the lore of Noah - that life was Marriage was a disappointment. Colder than Hortensia had imagined, it was the sad end to her Sunday-school belief in the lore of Noah - that life was best lived in pairs. Instead, marriage had turned out to not be much after all. It was the tedium of little domestic details. It was negotiating the tiresome habits of another. Marriage also made Hortensia suspicious when she met new people. Where was the nastiness in this one? she would think to herself as she handed change to a trader or stood to be measured by a polite seamstress. She'd seen Peter cradle an injured bird so gently that the animal had managed to come to a state of calm. And, in the heat of one of his moods, she'd seen him smash a plate to the floor. Not just any plate, but the gold-leaf-painted Chinese porcelain plate that she'd spent months negotiating for and finally wangled out of a dealer in London. It had been her favourite, with four pheasants and four orchids arranged along the face, flecks of gold dancing between them like magic dust. What happened? This was a common question she asked herself. And then Hortensia would work backwards through their time together, through the string of little and big arguments, offences taken, insults applied. Often the house settled into weeks of corrosive silence. The silence was easier than the booby-trapped mission of attempting conversation. But sometimes the silence wasn't a relief, it was a form of punishment. - The woman next door by Yewande Omotoso . . This literary fiction novel revolves around two elderly women of different races, one white and one black, who live next to each other in the 1950s around the affluent neighbourhood. Both are well-educated and have lost their husbands. While one might expect their shared grief to quickly foster a friendship, their bond develops very slowly. What I found most enjoyable were their individual backstories, which initially seem unrelated to their relationship but ultimately explain their backgrounds and their past. I cheered for these two eccentric seniors. Despite their opposing personalities and backgrounds, each woman's history of regret and heartache endeared them to me, if not to each other. I was intrigued by Marion's grasp of her ingrained racist attitudes and her guilt in perpetuating apartheid (although most of the time, it can be highly unlikely this happened in real life). Hortensia's struggles, on the other hands, were more personal involving her husband’s extramarital affairs which ended with some changes in his will for his ‘daughter’ This book isn't focused on the historical aspects of post-apartheid South Africa, as it only touches on them briefly. Instead, it examines human nature and the essence of racism, revealing the histories that shaped these women when they finally have a heartfelt conversation. I have to applaud the author for skilfully explores the complexities of long-term female friendship. I adored the novel, despite it becoming somewhat simplistic towards the end. For what its worth, it offered a light-hearted, entertaining, and warm exploration of aging and regrets....more
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