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freddie's review
3.0
The author has a highly distinct voice and I admire that. The stream-of-consciousness-esque first person narration lends a nice Manglish-inspired voice, but is somewhat overwritten with its overuse of hyphenated adjectives and "lists without commas" (I'm not sure what is the name of this device). Nonetheless, I really respect how blunt this novel is in its critique of racial and religious relations in Malaysia. The story is able to weave the complicated reality of the Malaysian society with the messy personal lives of its cast of toxic, petty characters.
mrswythe89's review
5.0
A new novel from Preeta Samarasan is a major event for Malaysian literature and I was grateful to have the opportunity to read it early, courtesy of NetGalley and publisher World Editions. This ambitious novel is centred around the dissolution of a syncretic religious sect in Cameron Highlands, founded by an idealist seeking a remedy for Malaysia’s persistent problems of racism and communalism. (He’s “one part bona fide soogee-cake-eating Eurasian one part Anglo-Indian well and truly stirred together”, for the Malaysians reading this; the story is narrated by his son, who’s living as a Malay-Muslim when we first encounter him as an adult looking back on the defining event of his childhood.)
Like the author’s first, the book is structured around key turning points of modern Malaysian history — here, the May 1969 race riots and Ops Lalang in 1987 — and takes these as a jumping off point to examine in close detail the intimate betrayals of family. Other preoccupations familiar from Preeta’s other writing: the response of children to the many failures of the adults around them, the operation of religion as a tool of domination, the pressure of other people (“what will the neighbours think” as a persistent concern of the characters), the impact of class and — of course — race.
I found the book immersive and compelling, the premise fascinating, but I’m not surprised it faced challenges getting published: this is a thoroughly Malaysian novel and makes few compromises for an assumed Western reader for whom much of the context and some of the language will be unfamiliar. I enjoyed this, of course, but it may make the book a more challenging read for some. I’ve always admired Preeta’s powers as a prose stylist and these are in full evidence here: the language is colourful, muscular and sure-footed; the voice ironic and often hilarious, even when dealing with tragedy and atrocity. I’m obsessed with literary Manglish and it’s a real (and rare!) pleasure to read a whole novel so skilfully narrated in it.
The structure and plot of the book present a couple of challenges for the pacing. The story is told in chapters alternating between the past and present, which can mean you’re whipped away to another era just as you’re getting invested in the events of one timeline. The narrative is structured as a build-up to a revelation about how and why the commune fell apart, so there is a lot of book where nothing much of conventional plot significance happens and then a small section at the end where a bunch of twists hit all at once. This wasn’t a problem for me as I don’t read literary fiction for the plot, but I could see the pacing losing some readers.
I have mixed feelings on how the novel handled gender and queerness, but these are spoilery; I’ll be interested to see what others think as more people read it.
Summed up: sad, funny, angry and individual, by a writer few can match for craft and insight into Malaysia. I thought it was a really interesting book and look forward to reading the author’s next.
Like the author’s first, the book is structured around key turning points of modern Malaysian history — here, the May 1969 race riots and Ops Lalang in 1987 — and takes these as a jumping off point to examine in close detail the intimate betrayals of family. Other preoccupations familiar from Preeta’s other writing: the response of children to the many failures of the adults around them, the operation of religion as a tool of domination, the pressure of other people (“what will the neighbours think” as a persistent concern of the characters), the impact of class and — of course — race.
I found the book immersive and compelling, the premise fascinating, but I’m not surprised it faced challenges getting published: this is a thoroughly Malaysian novel and makes few compromises for an assumed Western reader for whom much of the context and some of the language will be unfamiliar. I enjoyed this, of course, but it may make the book a more challenging read for some. I’ve always admired Preeta’s powers as a prose stylist and these are in full evidence here: the language is colourful, muscular and sure-footed; the voice ironic and often hilarious, even when dealing with tragedy and atrocity. I’m obsessed with literary Manglish and it’s a real (and rare!) pleasure to read a whole novel so skilfully narrated in it.
The structure and plot of the book present a couple of challenges for the pacing. The story is told in chapters alternating between the past and present, which can mean you’re whipped away to another era just as you’re getting invested in the events of one timeline. The narrative is structured as a build-up to a revelation about how and why the commune fell apart, so there is a lot of book where nothing much of conventional plot significance happens and then a small section at the end where a bunch of twists hit all at once. This wasn’t a problem for me as I don’t read literary fiction for the plot, but I could see the pacing losing some readers.
I have mixed feelings on how the novel handled gender and queerness, but these are spoilery; I’ll be interested to see what others think as more people read it.
Summed up: sad, funny, angry and individual, by a writer few can match for craft and insight into Malaysia. I thought it was a really interesting book and look forward to reading the author’s next.
namakurhea's review
3.0
Recenty completed read! This is my first book by a Malaysian author I think… and I quite enjoyed it!
The narrator is the eligitimate son of a cult leader based in Malaysia that started in the 70’s and 80’s. The cult isn’t anything weird by today’s standard.. It’s basically ackowledging that God is one and the same regardless of your beliefs and we can all live in harmony. But at that time of political, racial, and religious tensions in Malaysia, such statements are blasphemous. Despite the diverse and rich history of people who made up Malaysia, under Mahathir’s reign, it became obvious that one particular group is above all the others. Our narrator, in this sense, is a bit of an outlier as he was born in a cult where none of those racial and religious markers matter. But how long can this utopia last? Well, this is what the book is all about: a clash of ideals. A clash between the individual and the collective. Us vs them.
Despite its chunky size, this book reads easily. It kept me at the edge of my seat and I found myself carrying the book even for lunch at work.
One comment I have though it that the author seems to be quite ambitious. #PreetaSamarasan picked up a lot of topics from political, MY history, race, religion, family dynamics, terrorism, whodunnit story, employer-employee relationship, that sometimes the focus is a bit lost. Like trying to introduce a lot of topics but ended up closing only one or two and leaving the rest unresolved. There were also some shocking reveals at the end which is so shocking to the point that it felt like an afterthought.
But other than that, I still enjoyed the book immensely. Totally looking forward to the buddy read session on this. OH you can still DM me if you wanna join! 😜
The narrator is the eligitimate son of a cult leader based in Malaysia that started in the 70’s and 80’s. The cult isn’t anything weird by today’s standard.. It’s basically ackowledging that God is one and the same regardless of your beliefs and we can all live in harmony. But at that time of political, racial, and religious tensions in Malaysia, such statements are blasphemous. Despite the diverse and rich history of people who made up Malaysia, under Mahathir’s reign, it became obvious that one particular group is above all the others. Our narrator, in this sense, is a bit of an outlier as he was born in a cult where none of those racial and religious markers matter. But how long can this utopia last? Well, this is what the book is all about: a clash of ideals. A clash between the individual and the collective. Us vs them.
Despite its chunky size, this book reads easily. It kept me at the edge of my seat and I found myself carrying the book even for lunch at work.
One comment I have though it that the author seems to be quite ambitious. #PreetaSamarasan picked up a lot of topics from political, MY history, race, religion, family dynamics, terrorism, whodunnit story, employer-employee relationship, that sometimes the focus is a bit lost. Like trying to introduce a lot of topics but ended up closing only one or two and leaving the rest unresolved. There were also some shocking reveals at the end which is so shocking to the point that it felt like an afterthought.
But other than that, I still enjoyed the book immensely. Totally looking forward to the buddy read session on this. OH you can still DM me if you wanna join! 😜
bluepoohreads22's review
5.0
This book is about a son narrating his story with the backdrop of newly formed Malaysia after independence and the current Malaysia. Hence, the narration alternates between the past and the present.
Some of the things I liked include was the language used. It’s sort of Manglish (Malay mixed with English language). I could associate while reading the book. However, some readers who are not familiar with Malay language may find it a little difficult but there is a glossary page behind provided. That might help things out.
Apart from that, the author seamlessly weaved an eye opening connection between May 13th 1969’s racial riot (that took place in Malaysia) and it’s aftermaths. Also mentions of Ops Lalang which I just heard about when I read the book. That was informative. I wonder why they don’t teach us this while we were in school.
Some of the things I liked include was the language used. It’s sort of Manglish (Malay mixed with English language). I could associate while reading the book. However, some readers who are not familiar with Malay language may find it a little difficult but there is a glossary page behind provided. That might help things out.
Apart from that, the author seamlessly weaved an eye opening connection between May 13th 1969’s racial riot (that took place in Malaysia) and it’s aftermaths. Also mentions of Ops Lalang which I just heard about when I read the book. That was informative. I wonder why they don’t teach us this while we were in school.
_amaca's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
annieg's review
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
One of the best endings I’ve read, enjoyed inclusion of Malay and Tamil languages. Really well written unlikable characters
2treads's review
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.0
Samarasan has written a story of a man wanting to create an idealist society where all are welcome and accepted, but in doing so removes himself from the society he is trying to help. In that regard Cyril shows his naivety in navigating complex religious and cultural identities.
The trickle down effect, as recorded by his son, only serves to highlight this much more as he is unaware of what festers among his tiny community of followers. And falls without a fight to tyranny and incarceration.
Through his son Yusuf, the centre becomes a battlefield of adolescent rebellion, perverse thoughts, self-interest and strife. The breakdown and resentment between brothers comes across as young Yusuf tries to make a bond with his father, mother, and brother. Not being able to truly find a place with them and by them, he carries this yearning to be seen and accepted for the rest of his life.
As much as this tells of the separation between ethnicities via religion and race, it also tells of how in searching for the ultimate state of coexistence, we may end hurting and isolating the very people we had sought out to help.
Samarasan's unapologetic use of the dialect and syntax of her country was so enjoyable and had me laughing for many parts of this book.
The trickle down effect, as recorded by his son, only serves to highlight this much more as he is unaware of what festers among his tiny community of followers. And falls without a fight to tyranny and incarceration.
Through his son Yusuf, the centre becomes a battlefield of adolescent rebellion, perverse thoughts, self-interest and strife. The breakdown and resentment between brothers comes across as young Yusuf tries to make a bond with his father, mother, and brother. Not being able to truly find a place with them and by them, he carries this yearning to be seen and accepted for the rest of his life.
As much as this tells of the separation between ethnicities via religion and race, it also tells of how in searching for the ultimate state of coexistence, we may end hurting and isolating the very people we had sought out to help.
Samarasan's unapologetic use of the dialect and syntax of her country was so enjoyable and had me laughing for many parts of this book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism, Police brutality, Outing, Suicide, Religious bigotry, Homophobia, Grief, and Death of parent
goatsrsexy's review
3.5
I really enjoy reading books from other cultures because not only does it give me some insight into cultures I don't know much about and two different countries histories, but also because I find it lovely to experience reading books written and very different narrative styles that I'm used to.
Tell the dreamers son is a Malaysian book, I know next to nothing about Malaysian political history or really much East Asian history at all... And while of course this story is fiction I found it also gave me a lot of insight into things I'd previously known nothing about.
Some people may not like the way that the story jumps through time and I struggle with that myself, but I do think it worked really well for this particular book.
This book contains a lot of what I believe is Manglish, which from what I understand which is a kind of informal mix of languages. Sorry if I got that wrong, I was introduced to the term in another review for this book. This isn't something that bothers me because I read a lot of stories from different countries, but it may turn some non Malaysian readers off. I personally find it adds to story and despite the fact that I may miss some context, I like it. I think it's acceptable for me, a random Canadian woman, to feel like a bit of an outsider when reading a Malaysian book.
One of my favorite things in this book was how it described the different ways parents can fuck up their children. From emotional neglect to emotional incest the children in this book are never treated appropriately.That's something that I can relate to and I think that it was portrayed very well here. People too easily forget that children are real human beings with their own thoughts, feelings, and agency. They're not belongings.
This is a story about that spans decades. It is funny in some ways but also very sad. The prose is challenging but also accessible. I'd recommend this book definitely to anyone Malaysian or who knows about Malaysia, but id also recommend it to anyone interested in reading a book about class and religion and trauma and family.
Thanks to Netgalley and World Editions for providing me this advanced reader copy.
Tell the dreamers son is a Malaysian book, I know next to nothing about Malaysian political history or really much East Asian history at all... And while of course this story is fiction I found it also gave me a lot of insight into things I'd previously known nothing about.
Some people may not like the way that the story jumps through time and I struggle with that myself, but I do think it worked really well for this particular book.
This book contains a lot of what I believe is Manglish, which from what I understand which is a kind of informal mix of languages. Sorry if I got that wrong, I was introduced to the term in another review for this book. This isn't something that bothers me because I read a lot of stories from different countries, but it may turn some non Malaysian readers off. I personally find it adds to story and despite the fact that I may miss some context, I like it. I think it's acceptable for me, a random Canadian woman, to feel like a bit of an outsider when reading a Malaysian book.
One of my favorite things in this book was how it described the different ways parents can fuck up their children. From emotional neglect to emotional incest the children in this book are never treated appropriately.That's something that I can relate to and I think that it was portrayed very well here. People too easily forget that children are real human beings with their own thoughts, feelings, and agency. They're not belongings.
This is a story about that spans decades. It is funny in some ways but also very sad. The prose is challenging but also accessible. I'd recommend this book definitely to anyone Malaysian or who knows about Malaysia, but id also recommend it to anyone interested in reading a book about class and religion and trauma and family.
Thanks to Netgalley and World Editions for providing me this advanced reader copy.