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heavenlyrealms's review
4.0
the first horror book that i’ve read this year! i like it a lot because this book gives me a whole new experience. reading a horror story coming from a south east asia countries (singapore, indonesia, and malaysia) with some words not translated in english. it gives me more “local” vibes along the story. talking about the story, it’s really variative and you won’t get bored to read it. thus it will make you shiver a bit even though you are a fan of horror (maybe because the local horror vibes).
kapulaga's review against another edition
4.0
A collection of horror short stories. Definitely not all story are scary enough at least for me, but there are definitely some that make me shiver to my spine.
Some stories are really f*cked up because
Although almost all of the stories are left with an open ending. I sometimes think it's smart and left readers with scarier imagination, but at the same time I feel like I need to know the ending!!
and maybe because I live in SEA some stories are familiar. Even feels like my close relatives tell me the stories.
Some stories I like: The Anklets, The Old House, Si Hitam's Curse, amd Witri's Vengeance.
Some stories are really f*cked up because
Spoiler
they're involving murder in worst possible way.Although almost all of the stories are left with an open ending. I sometimes think it's smart and left readers with scarier imagination, but at the same time I feel like I need to know the ending!!
and maybe because I live in SEA some stories are familiar. Even feels like my close relatives tell me the stories.
Some stories I like: The Anklets, The Old House, Si Hitam's Curse, amd Witri's Vengeance.
bookwormdaily's review against another edition
3.5
the horror stories are very familiar with what i use to hear growing up here in Indonesia. i have fav and i also have some that just mid for me. still, i love the writing styles and the selection of the stories.
goguma's review
3.0
Like recalling childhood memories when ppl around were talking about the ghosts, but make it in english version.
piecesoflune's review against another edition
4.0
Short horror stories, what's not to like? Actually there is one: I wish I read this in... Melayunese? The stories are similar to those shared by me and my friends when we tell ghost tales late night in Pramuka camps, sleepovers, break time at school, but the English... doesn't really convey the eerie-ness of Southeast Asia ghosts, it fell flat. Nonetheless, these are stories that we, SEA kids, have close connection with. And as weird as it sounds, reading this collection makes me nostalgic.
nzxhrx's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
nbren's review
4.0
A Mosque in the Jungle is a compilation of the best ghost stories and horror fiction written by Othman Wok and curated by Ng Yi Sheng. Before he became a politician in Singapore, Othman Wok was a pioneer in the business of writing horror fiction, and this book serves as a fascinating overview of his fiction-writing legacy.
When I first started the book, I was initially a little skeptical as some of the stories were not as engaging as I hoped it would be, it seemed to be lacking a little in bringing forth the horror elements of the story. However as I read on, the stories started to grow more in depth, as the creativity of the plot & the horror elements were more stark to me. Out of the stories, I especially enjoyed "The Golden Lantern', 'The Guardian', 'The Skulls of Kuala Banat', and 'Si Hitam's curse'.
As a whole, I thoroughly enjoyed reading these stories, as I found myself getting increasingly captivated as I read further. I personally think that this novel is exemplary of Singapore horror literature. I urge everyone (especially my fellow SG people) to give this book a try! You won't regret it
When I first started the book, I was initially a little skeptical as some of the stories were not as engaging as I hoped it would be, it seemed to be lacking a little in bringing forth the horror elements of the story. However as I read on, the stories started to grow more in depth, as the creativity of the plot & the horror elements were more stark to me. Out of the stories, I especially enjoyed "The Golden Lantern', 'The Guardian', 'The Skulls of Kuala Banat', and 'Si Hitam's curse'.
As a whole, I thoroughly enjoyed reading these stories, as I found myself getting increasingly captivated as I read further. I personally think that this novel is exemplary of Singapore horror literature. I urge everyone (especially my fellow SG people) to give this book a try! You won't regret it
elizanarta's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, and Body horror
claudiashelf's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
It came out that this book was exploring ghost stories in three countries ( Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. ), and for me, personally, Asian ghost stories constantly creep me out. The stories in this book concoct a vivid image of the 1950s and 1960s when modernization was diverse with traditional spiritual ideas. And because it is a collection of short stories there are numerous stories in this book, for a total of 24 stories. The typical of an easy-read book that can make you instinctively read it, especially with a relatively short and evident story. Nonetheless, every story in this book can make me nostalgic when I read it.
khairun_atika's review
4.0
"Now all alone in his room, he could not help feeling quite uneasy. He did not believe in the supernatural, but that did not make what he had just seen any less real and frightening." - The Anklets, from A Mosque in the Jungle: Classic Ghost Stories by Othman Wok
Classic ghost stories indeed. I grew up reading lots of ghost and horror stories, especially by Anthony Horowitz. I remember reading Malayan Horror: Macabre Tales from Singapore and Malaysia in the 50s by Othman Wok in ny youth, and was fascinated by ghost stories. Othman Wok was a true icon in Singapore's political landscape, but I was always in awe of his horror fiction. This collection of his best ghost stories is definitely a must-read for fans of the genre.
The stories are brimming with sensation, nostalgia and true horror. From the narrative of women haunting the cemeteries, to lost spirits leading the living to their doom, and of vengeful spirits seeking redemption, this is the sort of stories that thrive during the Malay community's movie renaissance in the 50s. This was a thriving era, and my parents were fans of movies such as Hantu Kubur, Sumpah Orang Minyak and many other gems of the Malayan cinematic history.
There is a familiarity in the stories. Mainly set in Singapore, Malaya, Indonesia and even in Holland and the United Kingdom, there are close ties and references to Singapore's history. It alludes to the Japanese Occupation and Singapore's merger and eventual separation from Malaysia. The description of the macabre and of the supernatural are stories we grew up with, and never get bored of. It is an excellent example of local horror and suspensful prose, paving the way for a new generation to discover Othman Wok's literary genius.
Classic ghost stories indeed. I grew up reading lots of ghost and horror stories, especially by Anthony Horowitz. I remember reading Malayan Horror: Macabre Tales from Singapore and Malaysia in the 50s by Othman Wok in ny youth, and was fascinated by ghost stories. Othman Wok was a true icon in Singapore's political landscape, but I was always in awe of his horror fiction. This collection of his best ghost stories is definitely a must-read for fans of the genre.
The stories are brimming with sensation, nostalgia and true horror. From the narrative of women haunting the cemeteries, to lost spirits leading the living to their doom, and of vengeful spirits seeking redemption, this is the sort of stories that thrive during the Malay community's movie renaissance in the 50s. This was a thriving era, and my parents were fans of movies such as Hantu Kubur, Sumpah Orang Minyak and many other gems of the Malayan cinematic history.
There is a familiarity in the stories. Mainly set in Singapore, Malaya, Indonesia and even in Holland and the United Kingdom, there are close ties and references to Singapore's history. It alludes to the Japanese Occupation and Singapore's merger and eventual separation from Malaysia. The description of the macabre and of the supernatural are stories we grew up with, and never get bored of. It is an excellent example of local horror and suspensful prose, paving the way for a new generation to discover Othman Wok's literary genius.