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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
A book of romanticization of Jakarta and a no-strings-attached relationship. The characters lowkey pissed me off. I can feel the calm- and the loneli-ness of this book, but there’s just something missing. I might say that the author is trying too hard to be poetic, but failed. The choice of words felt so… I don’t know… stiff(?).
Unfortunately, not my cup of tea, 2.5 out of 5 stars.
Unfortunately, not my cup of tea, 2.5 out of 5 stars.
I've read the novel version one before this and as a visual person myself, I like the graphic novel version better. I feel like it gave me the 'visual nuance' of the emotions and places. All thought, as far as I know, this version is cut down by so much I still don't find it too big in the difference. Also, one thing that bothered me is the font. I borrow this digitally and it's hard to see the font.
"In the haste to become, the city was built within a blur of decisions. That was why she had returned. The city is as lost as I am, therefore we are always searching for one another."
In her second book, Rain Chudori told a story about Jakarta. And I think this is the best depiction of my own feelings towards this city. Most of my friends, especially those who comes from another regions, hate Jakarta. But my feelings towards Jakarta is never other than love. My friends usually didn't understand my attachment with this city, but now I can give them Imaginary City and said, "This is my feelings for Jakarta."
There are 11 interconnected stories, each story representing a place in Jakarta who played significant role in the main character's relationship--or should I say affair--with her childhood neighbor who came to the city after he let for long period of time.
Prose-wise, this book is just about one interwoven story about a woman and a man's affair all over Jakarta. I still prefer Rain's [b:Monsoon Tiger and Other Stories|28252137|Monsoon Tiger and Other Stories|Rain Chudori|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1456839336s/28252137.jpg|48289150] because the theme and approach in that book is different each story and Imaginary City is considered flat in that aspect, but I love, love the art she presented in this book: from the layout--in which we will get several aesthetic photos that Rain took for each story--to the font and cover choice. The concept is similar to [b:Tidak Ada New York Hari Ini|29801264|Tidak Ada New York Hari Ini|M. Aan Mansyur|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1459894687s/29801264.jpg|50170086], which makes this book really collectible worthy. I really love when book is not only content-worth but also a piece of art like this.
In her second book, Rain Chudori told a story about Jakarta. And I think this is the best depiction of my own feelings towards this city. Most of my friends, especially those who comes from another regions, hate Jakarta. But my feelings towards Jakarta is never other than love. My friends usually didn't understand my attachment with this city, but now I can give them Imaginary City and said, "This is my feelings for Jakarta."
There are 11 interconnected stories, each story representing a place in Jakarta who played significant role in the main character's relationship--or should I say affair--with her childhood neighbor who came to the city after he let for long period of time.
Prose-wise, this book is just about one interwoven story about a woman and a man's affair all over Jakarta. I still prefer Rain's [b:Monsoon Tiger and Other Stories|28252137|Monsoon Tiger and Other Stories|Rain Chudori|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1456839336s/28252137.jpg|48289150] because the theme and approach in that book is different each story and Imaginary City is considered flat in that aspect, but I love, love the art she presented in this book: from the layout--in which we will get several aesthetic photos that Rain took for each story--to the font and cover choice. The concept is similar to [b:Tidak Ada New York Hari Ini|29801264|Tidak Ada New York Hari Ini|M. Aan Mansyur|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1459894687s/29801264.jpg|50170086], which makes this book really collectible worthy. I really love when book is not only content-worth but also a piece of art like this.
I am VERY upset. I asked for book recommendations on twitter and i specifically said that ROMANCE IS OFF LIMIT. but then this one person recommended this to me and i decided to read it and guess what? I had the BIGGEST MOST ENORMOUS GIGANTIC NOSTALGIA CASTED UPON ME. AND I HATE THIS BOOK FOR DOING THAT I HATE IT. The last thing i need is to be reminded of people from my past. So theres that, other than that, i think the author is trying hard to be poetic but kinda fails in striving to do so. So a 2 out of 5 stars is generous enough from me.
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“In the future, we will be loved, and we will no longer ache, and we will be fine.”
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Beautiful. Painful. Beautifully painful yet painfully beautiful.