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cakrawala's reviews
30 reviews
Cold Enough for Snow by Jessica Au
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
It feels like the breeze in autumn, both chilly and comforting. A short story about a woman and her mother's journey in Japan. With a bit of flashbacks during the journey, trying to transcribe the meaning of life. The detail description of the story made me feel like I was the one who went through it. It was me who wandering through Japan, having short trips, walking here and there, and many more. I wish there would be more depth in character development. The connection between the main character and her mother is not as strong as I wished. Maybe if it's not a short story, the character development and their chemistry could be better. Overall, the story was pretty enjoyable for me.
Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Buku ini menceritakan tentang Toru Watanabe yang mengenang masa mudanya. Sewaktu SMA, dirinya banyak menghabiskan waktu bersama Kizuki dan kekasihnya yang bernama Naoko. Mereka tumbuh bersama dan bermain bersama. Tetapi pada akhirnya, di saat Watanabe dan Naoko terus bertambah tua, Kizuki berhenti pada umur 17 tahun. Ketika Naoko dan Watanabe mengetahui Kizuki mengakhiri hidupnya sendiri, semuanya berubah. Hubungan mereka ikut terpengaruh selepas kepergian dari Kizuki. Mau tidak mau, mereka harus tetap melanjutkan hidup. Perasaan yang sama karena ditinggal orang yang mereka kasihi membuat mereka semakin dekat. Di masa kuliahnya, Watanabe dan Naoko kerap bertemu dan pergi bersama. Hingga tiba di suatu saat dimana Naoko sudah tidak lagi sama seperti sebelumnya dan mulai kehilangan dirinya. Di saat yang sama, Watanabe bertemu orang baru lagi, dan Ia memasuki kebimbangan antara masa lalu dan masa depannya.
Sebuah buku dengan medium-paced yang di luar ekspektasi saya, dimana saya cukup menikmati alur ceritanya. Rumit, kompleks, dan mendalam. Tiap karakternya memiliki development yang baik sehingga para pembacanya dapat memahami bagaimana situasi dan kondisi yang terjadi. Duka ditinggal orang yang dikasih, rasa bersalah yang membayang-bayangi, kehilangan jati diri, dan berbagai konten lain yang ada dalam buku ini begitu emosional. Hubungan antar karakternya tentu menimbulkan banyak tanda tanya, tapi menurut saya disitulah hal yang menjadikan buku ini begitu menarik. Personality yang menonjol pada masing-masing karakter disusun begitu detail sehingga pembacanya dapat memahami jalan berpikir mereka sekalipun beberapa pemikiran dapat dikatakan cukup nyeleneh. Plot yang disajikan dalam cerita ini juga cukup menarik, banyak plot twist yang tidak saya sangka akan terjadi. Meskipun buku ini cukup tebal, namun tidak sekalipun saya merasa bosan dalam membacanya.
Namun buku ini bukanlah buku yang seharusnya dibaca oleh orang dibawah 18 tahun. Banyak konten yang eksplisit dijelaskan, yang mana menurut saya ada beberapa bagian yang sebenarnya tidak terlalu penting untuk dimasukkan. Sekalipun menikmati alur ceritanya, ada beberapa waktu dimana saya merasa tidak nyaman. Bagi yang ingin membaca buku ini sebaiknya melihat trigger warning terlebih dahulu karena banyaknya topik sensitif yang diangkat disini.
Sebuah buku dengan medium-paced yang di luar ekspektasi saya, dimana saya cukup menikmati alur ceritanya. Rumit, kompleks, dan mendalam. Tiap karakternya memiliki development yang baik sehingga para pembacanya dapat memahami bagaimana situasi dan kondisi yang terjadi. Duka ditinggal orang yang dikasih, rasa bersalah yang membayang-bayangi, kehilangan jati diri, dan berbagai konten lain yang ada dalam buku ini begitu emosional. Hubungan antar karakternya tentu menimbulkan banyak tanda tanya, tapi menurut saya disitulah hal yang menjadikan buku ini begitu menarik. Personality yang menonjol pada masing-masing karakter disusun begitu detail sehingga pembacanya dapat memahami jalan berpikir mereka sekalipun beberapa pemikiran dapat dikatakan cukup nyeleneh. Plot yang disajikan dalam cerita ini juga cukup menarik, banyak plot twist yang tidak saya sangka akan terjadi. Meskipun buku ini cukup tebal, namun tidak sekalipun saya merasa bosan dalam membacanya.
Namun buku ini bukanlah buku yang seharusnya dibaca oleh orang dibawah 18 tahun. Banyak konten yang eksplisit dijelaskan, yang mana menurut saya ada beberapa bagian yang sebenarnya tidak terlalu penting untuk dimasukkan. Sekalipun menikmati alur ceritanya, ada beberapa waktu dimana saya merasa tidak nyaman. Bagi yang ingin membaca buku ini sebaiknya melihat trigger warning terlebih dahulu karena banyaknya topik sensitif yang diangkat disini.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh
A girl who's in her hibernation phase, where she decide to heavy amount of drugs to induce days of sleep, with the hope that one day she wake up and could restart her life. I was drawn to the the unique and absurd plot. Ottessa Moshfegh did a really great job to portrays the depressive episodes of a girl, conveying the frustration through her repeated habits.
The character development is really so strong until I kinda miss Reva, the narator's best friend, in the end of the book. The presence of Reva kinda pissed me off at first, it feels like I am become the narrator. But the chemistry between them really unbeatable and weird. It's complex yet beautiful at the same time. Each characters have their own bizarre personality. No one seems normal here.
With a medium paced plot and detailed description, I have no reason to hate this book. The first half of the book might be boring, like most of the book, but chapter 6-8 were a bomb and I totally love it. When the narrator finally knows what to do and how to fulfil her wants. I like how smart she is, despite the absurdity of her actions.
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
"I'm taking some time off. This is my year of rest and relaxation."
A girl who's in her hibernation phase, where she decide to heavy amount of drugs to induce days of sleep, with the hope that one day she wake up and could restart her life. I was drawn to the the unique and absurd plot. Ottessa Moshfegh did a really great job to portrays the depressive episodes of a girl, conveying the frustration through her repeated habits.
The character development is really so strong until I kinda miss Reva, the narator's best friend, in the end of the book. The presence of Reva kinda pissed me off at first, it feels like I am become the narrator. But the chemistry between them really unbeatable and weird. It's complex yet beautiful at the same time. Each characters have their own bizarre personality. No one seems normal here.
With a medium paced plot and detailed description, I have no reason to hate this book. The first half of the book might be boring, like most of the book, but chapter 6-8 were a bomb and I totally love it. When the narrator finally knows what to do and how to fulfil her wants. I like how smart she is, despite the absurdity of her actions.
But the nostalgia didn't hit. These weren't my memory. I felt just a tingling feeling in my hand, an eerie tingle, like when you nearly drop something precious off a balcony, but you don't.
Hear the Wind Sing by Haruki Murakami
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Short story about a young man, currently in his summer break feeling uncertain with his life. Loneliness, friendship, and love, hide within every sentence written. There is no plot, or a specific story written in this book, just a short break where the main character meets his best friend in his hometown and accidentally encounters with a girl with 9 fingers, whom he hadn't seen since he left that small town. There is no character development or any emotion written down here. It feels like the characters are merely existing. I couldn't say much about his writing style because it still feels unfamiliar.
This is my first time to read Haruki Murakami's work. I must admit that I felt uncomfortable reading the part where he describes woman, he should've shut his mouth and leave it alone. Some parts seemed unnecessary and sexualized woman. The story itself is quite absurd, with no plot or intention. As I mentioned before, it's only a short story about what happened in the main character's life during his 18 days of summer break.
What's the purpose of this book then? It might bring the reader into a dilemma, wondering why I read it in the first place? Maybe, the intention of Haruki Murakami was simply to pour all of his imagination and write a mundane story of a young man in his early 20s. That was pretty realistic, as in our 20, most of people just trying to figure out what they want to do with their life. This thing could be a reflection for us.
A quotation I took from the book, " There are no truly strong people. Only people who pretend to be strong " could be a good reflection and reminder for us.
This is my first time to read Haruki Murakami's work. I must admit that I felt uncomfortable reading the part where he describes woman, he should've shut his mouth and leave it alone. Some parts seemed unnecessary and sexualized woman. The story itself is quite absurd, with no plot or intention. As I mentioned before, it's only a short story about what happened in the main character's life during his 18 days of summer break.
What's the purpose of this book then? It might bring the reader into a dilemma, wondering why I read it in the first place? Maybe, the intention of Haruki Murakami was simply to pour all of his imagination and write a mundane story of a young man in his early 20s. That was pretty realistic, as in our 20, most of people just trying to figure out what they want to do with their life. This thing could be a reflection for us.
A quotation I took from the book, " There are no truly strong people. Only people who pretend to be strong " could be a good reflection and reminder for us.
Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney
Friendship and love, you have it all here. 4 adults, trying to figure out what they want and where do they belong. Each characters have their own complexity. Their relationship is so complicated, a lot of misunderstanding and miscommunication. The character development is so strong until you could feel the frustration that happened within them. I love how Sally Rooney could portray that there is no one in this world who's special and always win. Sometimes you lose, sometimes you win, sometimes it's in between.
The situation is also described very well and detailed. The plot is slowly going forward, it's a bit boring at first (i would say the half of the book) but the ending is finally a happy one. Sorry for being traumatized because of Sally Rooney's previous books that I thought they won't have a good ending, or open ending (worst case). I'm so satisfied at the end. Overall, I definitely love with this book.
emotional
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It’s not the life I used to imagine for myself either. But it’s the life I have, the only one.
Friendship and love, you have it all here. 4 adults, trying to figure out what they want and where do they belong. Each characters have their own complexity. Their relationship is so complicated, a lot of misunderstanding and miscommunication. The character development is so strong until you could feel the frustration that happened within them. I love how Sally Rooney could portray that there is no one in this world who's special and always win. Sometimes you lose, sometimes you win, sometimes it's in between.
The situation is also described very well and detailed. The plot is slowly going forward, it's a bit boring at first (i would say the half of the book) but the ending is finally a happy one. Sorry for being traumatized because of Sally Rooney's previous books that I thought they won't have a good ending, or open ending (worst case). I'm so satisfied at the end. Overall, I definitely love with this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness
Gadis Kretek by Ratih Kumala
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Menceritakan kisah Lebas dan kedua kakaknya mencari sosok 'Jeng Yah' yang disebut-sebut ayahnya yang sedang sekarat. Memang alurnya cukup maju mundur, karena latar waktunya ada yang di masa pak Idroes, dan ada juga yang di masa Lebas. Untuk latar waktunya sendiri pun dituliskan dengan bak, dimana diselipkan peristiwa sejarah dan kebudayaan yang terjadi pada masa itu sehingga pembacanya pun dapat memahami situasi yang terjadi. Alurnya pun banyak perbedaan dengan seriesnya, dimana di buku ini lebih banyak point of view dari pak Idroes. Tapi tetap mudah dinikmati dan dipahami.
Sangat disayangkan untuk pengembangan karakternya cukup kurang, dimana ada beberapa titik dimana penjelasan latar belakang tiap karakternya masih kurang dan kesannya terlalu cepat berubah-ubah. Walaupun pasti semua orang akan sama-sama kesal jika melihat sikap Soeraja kepada keluarga pak Idroes.
Sangat disayangkan untuk pengembangan karakternya cukup kurang, dimana ada beberapa titik dimana penjelasan latar belakang tiap karakternya masih kurang dan kesannya terlalu cepat berubah-ubah. Walaupun pasti semua orang akan sama-sama kesal jika melihat sikap Soeraja kepada keluarga pak Idroes.
Kudasai by Brian Khrisna
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Sebuah buku yang alur ceritanya tidak dapat ditebak. Emosi antar karakter bisa tersampaikan dengan baik, bagaimana kita bisa ikut merasa bahagia, sedih, marah, dan perasaan seperti karakternya sendiri. Buku yang cukup padat plot nya, tetapi masih diselipi beberapa jokes di dalamnya. Terima kasih untuk penulisnya karena menjadikan buku ini memiliki ending yang pasti, sekalipun menyakitkan, setidaknya buku ini tidak memiliki open ending.
Untuk character development nya sebenernya ok aja, entah gimana sekalipun tingkah dan sikapnya questionable, tapi tetep masuk akal (atau akunya aja yang too understanding juga ngga tau sih). Chaka terlalu labil, Twindy terlalu emosional, dan Anet yang terlalu terjebak di masa lalunya. Mungkin emang agak kurangnya di bagian sikap karakternya yang inkonsisten, berubah-ubah tapi terlalu cepat dan tidak ada bridging yang kuat. Tapi kembali ke opini pertama, masih understanable.
Overall cukup enjoy dan nangis-nangis waktu baca karena pas baca bukunya selalu ada aja part yang relate (maaf too much information)
Untuk character development nya sebenernya ok aja, entah gimana sekalipun tingkah dan sikapnya questionable, tapi tetep masuk akal (atau akunya aja yang too understanding juga ngga tau sih). Chaka terlalu labil, Twindy terlalu emosional, dan Anet yang terlalu terjebak di masa lalunya. Mungkin emang agak kurangnya di bagian sikap karakternya yang inkonsisten, berubah-ubah tapi terlalu cepat dan tidak ada bridging yang kuat. Tapi kembali ke opini pertama, masih understanable.
Overall cukup enjoy dan nangis-nangis waktu baca karena pas baca bukunya selalu ada aja part yang relate (maaf too much information)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident, Suicide, and Alcohol
All the Lovers in the Night by Mieko Kawakami
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Mieko Kawakami traumatized me with Heaven but that won't stopping me from read All The Lovers In The Night. I love how Fuyuko's emotion described really detailed here and I FEEL HER... The ending... I didn't expected that to coming, there should've been more explanation about it, that's why i didn't gave 5 stars. But overall, i love this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
As a hopeful person, this book made me realized that behind every sucess people, there will always be a supportive background. Being a sucess person is not an instant things. You might need a wealthy family, great school, or maybe, a chance. It's not the brightest who suceed. Being sucess is also a gift and come from opportunity, which not everyone could have.
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Other Tales of Terror by Robert Louis Stevenson
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
At first, you get bored. In the midway, you'll be "GODDAMN THIS ONE IS GOOD". Lastly, you finished the book with "Ah, it could've been better."
I love this book, one of easy to read classic. The vocabularies are easier to understand compare to another classics. The writing style is also good. The only thing that annoys me was the ending, or I could say, the truth. If it's more realistic, I would give 5 stars without no doubt. A 10/10. Eventhough there's clue for the ending along the way reading, it's still surprised me.
I love this book, one of easy to read classic. The vocabularies are easier to understand compare to another classics. The writing style is also good. The only thing that annoys me was the ending, or I could say, the truth. If it's more realistic, I would give 5 stars without no doubt. A 10/10. Eventhough there's clue for the ending along the way reading, it's still surprised me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide