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sebby_reads's reviews
242 reviews
State of Emergency by Jeremy Tiang
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
“Something heavy was settling onto her, an unpleasant awareness that the world was aslant and she was at the higher end. What could she do?”
In his debut novel State of Emergency, Jeremy Tiang offers a slice of Singapore's history that is less discussed by people. This historical fiction delves into the tempestuous time of leftist movements and political detentions in Singapore and Malaysia. The novel also shortlisted for the 2016 Epigram Books Fiction prize. In 2018, Tiang won the prestigious Singapore Literature Prize for English fiction for this novel.
The novel comprises six parts and each narrated by six characters telling loosely connected stories through their own experiences and in different time frame. Jason's wife, Siew Li, left him with two children to fight for freedom in the jungle of Malaya. His sister died in MacDonald House bombing during the Konfrontasi. After losing the people he love in the political turmoil, Jason shut down. The children grew up knowing nothing about their mother. Siew Li recruited a Malaysian youth whose father was massacred during the Emergency to join the Communist. Stella, Jason's niece, was accused of conspiracy for Marxist conspirator and sent to detention without trial. Henry, Jason and Siew Li's son returned to Singapore after living in London for many years and discovered about his family's chronicle.
From the early years before Singapore gaining independence to present days, the book tells a devastating story of an extended family members tangled in the political turmoils. Differences in political opinion (or sometimes being indifferent) divide people but the fundamentals of being human also solace them. As told from multiple point of views, the writer imparts with a perfect blend of brilliant narratives. Precise and sharp in some parts with abrupt pace. When necessary, pensive and lyrical proses are used craftily.
Massive appreciation for the writer on his exhaustive research and competent storytelling. It is such an enthralling read on some invisible parts of the history. Impressive portrayal of women characters in this book. Strong and committed women as well as meek but powerful one are the foundations of this story. Men, too, are portrayed diversely. With the concoction of insightful information and unforgettable characters, Tiang takes his readers to the road less traveled by others and it certainly makes a huge difference.
In his debut novel State of Emergency, Jeremy Tiang offers a slice of Singapore's history that is less discussed by people. This historical fiction delves into the tempestuous time of leftist movements and political detentions in Singapore and Malaysia. The novel also shortlisted for the 2016 Epigram Books Fiction prize. In 2018, Tiang won the prestigious Singapore Literature Prize for English fiction for this novel.
The novel comprises six parts and each narrated by six characters telling loosely connected stories through their own experiences and in different time frame. Jason's wife, Siew Li, left him with two children to fight for freedom in the jungle of Malaya. His sister died in MacDonald House bombing during the Konfrontasi. After losing the people he love in the political turmoil, Jason shut down. The children grew up knowing nothing about their mother. Siew Li recruited a Malaysian youth whose father was massacred during the Emergency to join the Communist. Stella, Jason's niece, was accused of conspiracy for Marxist conspirator and sent to detention without trial. Henry, Jason and Siew Li's son returned to Singapore after living in London for many years and discovered about his family's chronicle.
From the early years before Singapore gaining independence to present days, the book tells a devastating story of an extended family members tangled in the political turmoils. Differences in political opinion (or sometimes being indifferent) divide people but the fundamentals of being human also solace them. As told from multiple point of views, the writer imparts with a perfect blend of brilliant narratives. Precise and sharp in some parts with abrupt pace. When necessary, pensive and lyrical proses are used craftily.
Massive appreciation for the writer on his exhaustive research and competent storytelling. It is such an enthralling read on some invisible parts of the history. Impressive portrayal of women characters in this book. Strong and committed women as well as meek but powerful one are the foundations of this story. Men, too, are portrayed diversely. With the concoction of insightful information and unforgettable characters, Tiang takes his readers to the road less traveled by others and it certainly makes a huge difference.
The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
“This was the time in her life that she fell upon books as the only door out of her cell. They became half her world.”
The English Patient, 1992 Booker Prize winning novel, is written by a Sri Lankan born Canadian writer Michael Ondaatje. It tells the stories of four characters: the eponymous protagonist, a Canadian nurse, a Sikh British Army sapper, and a Canadian thief. Generally told in third-person omniscient point of view, the novel sets primarily in a small villa near Florence, Italy during the Italian Campaign of World War II.
The eponymous character is unrecognisably burnt from a plane crash and can barely speak. His charred body is being care by a young army nurse named Hana. The European war has just ended and though the other nurses and patients have left the villa, Hana decides to stay in the villa with her English patient as his body is still fragile. Caravaggio, Hana's old family friend, comes to the villa after hearing about her while he was recuperating in a nearby hospital. One night, Hana is playing on the piano and hearing her play, two soldiers enter the villa. One of them is Kip, an Indian Sikh and a sapper from the British Army trained to diffuse bombs. Kip decides to stay at the villa in order to clear some unexploded bombs.
Slowly the English patient unfolds his past to the others. He talks about his life and his affair with a married woman prior to the accident that gave him the injuries. Kip and the English patient get along very well, as they both share similar interests and enjoy talking to each other. He feels a strong attraction to Hana, and soon they become lovers.
These four people reside in the villa are different in appearances and characteristics but equally hurt and scarred by their memory, loss and regrets. Tormenting events of war traumatised these characters. Through their stories, Ondaatje poetically interweave nationalism, identity, survival, love and relationship. The symbolic portrayal of desert is profound and mesmerising. Fragmented but astute narrative is somewhat appealing and evocative.
The book was adapted to film in 1996 and won many accolades. I watched it a few years back and distinctly remember I hated it despite many people's praise for it. The movie focused more on the love affair between the English patient and his lover, I think. I loathe any form of art that portrays adultery as a great love story. Some might point out the good things about the film but how I see it was glorifying the adultery as a romantic film. I don't know why or how I have this book on my shelf but the movie experience somehow makes me reluctant to read the novel. My humble apology to the writer for judging a book by its film adaptation. In fact, it is such a superb novel with reflective and poetic tone. Slightly a slow read at first for its condensed narration in early chapters but I picked up the pace later.
The Garden of Words by Makoto Shinkai
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The Garden of Words is a novelisation of a 2013 animated film of the same name written and directed by Makoto Shinkai. Translated to English by Taylor Engel, it is a story of two lonely souls finding comfort in the company of one another after running into in a garden on a rainy day.
Takao is a 15-year old student with steadfast ambition to become a shoemaker. His parents divorced a few years ago and he has lived with his mother and elder brother since. Now his mother is going to live with her boyfriend and his brother is also moving out to live with her girlfriend. He is quiet and conscientious boy who fills his solitude with part-time job and passion for shoemaking.
Yukari is a 27-year old woman who has been avoiding to go to work after a gossip about her was started. She had been bullied and got depressed since. Every morning she gets out of bed and leaves for work but she ends up going into the park instead as she is unable to overcome her fear. She has lost her appetite and mainly consuming chocolate and beer.
One rainy day on his way to school, Takao decides to skip his morning class and go to a park instead. He meets Yukari who has been skipping her work. Before she leaves, Yukari cited a piece of tanka (Japanese poem) that makes Takao puzzle. He determines to skip his morning class when it rains. During that monsoon season, they continue to encounter in the park on rainy mornings and converse but never formally introduce themselves. When the rainy season ends, Takao stops visiting the park. One day he meets Yukari again at the most unexpected place and discovers about her.
This novelisation has back stories of the two protagonists and some narrators adding more depth to the characters as well as to the story. The epilogue, a slight extension of the original story, gives a satisfying warm hug for someone who has been drenched in the rain after watching the film. The proses are beautiful and enticing. Correspondingly, the translation is eloquent and fluid.
Makoto Shinkai's narrative is very meticulous. I think because of him being an animator, he tries to bring as much visual as he usually does in his anime to his storytelling. It is quite exhaustive so sometimes it leaves me with nothing to imagine but to follow his detailed portrayal of sceneries and emotions.
Along with Man'yōshū poetry, the metaphorical representation of rain and shoes are well befitting to the story. An abundant use of simile might bore some readers as it can attenuate the essence of the story. Me being a total sucker for similes and metaphors, it is a visit to the candy store. Such a joy to read where multiple sentiments are represented with nature and its charm. It is an exquisite book with a bunch of (vague) reminiscences.
I watched the Garden of Words (Kotonoha no Niwa) back in 2017 and has been obsessively in love with it. Its visual are enchanting and the tenderhearted story is deeply affecting. The story of a relationship between a minor and an adult can be cringeworthy but how the story was handled was impressive. I discovered other anime by Makoto Shinkai and his famous works are 5 Centimeters per Second, Children who Chase Lost Voices, Your Name, and Weathering with You. Many people love Your Name and it is quite a global phenomenon but the Garden of Words remains as my absolute favourite.
We, The Survivors by Tash Aw
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
"But the truth is that there is no because. And because there is no because, there is also no why. He did what he did. Sometimes things happen that way. Or maybe the because was buried so far in his past that it’s impossible to figure out what it is, so it ceases to be real."
We, the Survivors by Tash Aw is a poignant story of a middle-class Malaysian man named Ah Hock released from prison recently after serving the time for murdering a Bangladeshi migrant worker. Su-Min who had been doing research for her studies in America returned to Malaysia and interviewed Ah Hock about his life which later turned into book.
Ah Hock was from a Malaysian fishing village living with his mother. His father eft for Singapore when he was young and never returned. The struggling life of Ah Hock and his mother was rough. He happened to befriend with Keong, a thuggish boy from his village a few years older than him. Just like other youths, they wanted to leave the village and dreamt to become tycoons in a city. They went to Kuala Lumpur and worked random jobs. Ah Hock had his own set of moral value. He worked in restaurants whereas Keong worked as a drug smuggler. Soon, he managed to separate Keong from his life.
Years later, Ah Hock was working as a fore man in a plantation. Though uneducated, he was a diligent and hard working person. He got married and though he had not become a tycoon, he was somewhat enjoying his life. One day, he received a call from Keong and reconnected with him. Regarding a serious situation at work, Ah Hock reluctantly asked help from Keong which led to turn Ah Hock's life upside down.
From the beginning, Tash Aw let the readers know that Ah Hock murdered a man but we don't know why he did it or how it occurred. It is not a mystery or thriller kind of novel that unravels the homicide case. I get to know Ah Hock's life from the beginning of his childhood including the misfortune family affairs, the struggles with poverty and rise from it as well as his working life and married life as an adult.
Through the interviews, his life is unfold. Although it is told in Ah Hock's narration, I believe it is not to diminish the crime he committed but to showcase the dull yet strenuous life of working-class people in Malaysia. At the same time, distressing lives and obscurity of migrant workers from Bangladesh, Burma, Indonesia, and Nepal as well as Rohingya refugees were attentively portrayed.
Many times in the story, I see Ah Hock's shoulda, coulda, woulda moments. Regrets for doing this or not doing that and most of them are related to his association with Keong. His conversations with Su-Min are interlaced between his recount on his life. In a glimpse, the reader gets to see insights of an intellectual like Su-Min. Though it may not portray the entire upper class or the intellectuals, it is an interesting read. Aw's storytelling is crafty and evocative. Sometimes brisk as the necessity of plot but most of the time steady and compassionate.
The story brought the reader's attention with a homicidal plot at the beginning but Aw doesn't rush in telling how it occurred. He takes time in telling Ah Hock's story. After reading it, I contemplate on the importance of the narrative in the stories. Of course there will be differences between how others tell our stories and how we tell our own even each of us tell the truth. Some won't see the adversity faced by the blue-collar people from their perspective. Some will only tell what they see from their point of view.
We, the Survivors by Tash Aw is a poignant story of a middle-class Malaysian man named Ah Hock released from prison recently after serving the time for murdering a Bangladeshi migrant worker. Su-Min who had been doing research for her studies in America returned to Malaysia and interviewed Ah Hock about his life which later turned into book.
Ah Hock was from a Malaysian fishing village living with his mother. His father eft for Singapore when he was young and never returned. The struggling life of Ah Hock and his mother was rough. He happened to befriend with Keong, a thuggish boy from his village a few years older than him. Just like other youths, they wanted to leave the village and dreamt to become tycoons in a city. They went to Kuala Lumpur and worked random jobs. Ah Hock had his own set of moral value. He worked in restaurants whereas Keong worked as a drug smuggler. Soon, he managed to separate Keong from his life.
Years later, Ah Hock was working as a fore man in a plantation. Though uneducated, he was a diligent and hard working person. He got married and though he had not become a tycoon, he was somewhat enjoying his life. One day, he received a call from Keong and reconnected with him. Regarding a serious situation at work, Ah Hock reluctantly asked help from Keong which led to turn Ah Hock's life upside down.
From the beginning, Tash Aw let the readers know that Ah Hock murdered a man but we don't know why he did it or how it occurred. It is not a mystery or thriller kind of novel that unravels the homicide case. I get to know Ah Hock's life from the beginning of his childhood including the misfortune family affairs, the struggles with poverty and rise from it as well as his working life and married life as an adult.
Through the interviews, his life is unfold. Although it is told in Ah Hock's narration, I believe it is not to diminish the crime he committed but to showcase the dull yet strenuous life of working-class people in Malaysia. At the same time, distressing lives and obscurity of migrant workers from Bangladesh, Burma, Indonesia, and Nepal as well as Rohingya refugees were attentively portrayed.
Many times in the story, I see Ah Hock's shoulda, coulda, woulda moments. Regrets for doing this or not doing that and most of them are related to his association with Keong. His conversations with Su-Min are interlaced between his recount on his life. In a glimpse, the reader gets to see insights of an intellectual like Su-Min. Though it may not portray the entire upper class or the intellectuals, it is an interesting read. Aw's storytelling is crafty and evocative. Sometimes brisk as the necessity of plot but most of the time steady and compassionate.
The story brought the reader's attention with a homicidal plot at the beginning but Aw doesn't rush in telling how it occurred. He takes time in telling Ah Hock's story. After reading it, I contemplate on the importance of the narrative in the stories. Of course there will be differences between how others tell our stories and how we tell our own even each of us tell the truth. Some won't see the adversity faced by the blue-collar people from their perspective. Some will only tell what they see from their point of view.
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
Piranesi is a fantasy fiction by the English author Susanna Clarke. Winner of the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2021, the book is narrated by the title character Piranesi about his life in a labyrinth like House filled with countless halls and statutes.
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
“The Beauty of the House is immeasurable; its Kindness infinite.”
Piranesi is a fantasy fiction by the English author Susanna Clarke. Winner of the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2021, the book is narrated by the title character Piranesi about his life in a labyrinth like House filled with countless halls and statutes.
The House is infinitely large and it has multiple halls connected by endless corridors. It has clouds in the upper halls and an ocean in the lower halls. Occasionally, when the tides come in, some of the rooms are flooded as the water rises up to the staircases. The are some fishes and birds and whatever lack in the House are in the form of statutes in various forms and sizes. Some are in life size and some enormously large. Apart from Piranesi, there's only another human in the House to whom he refers to as "the Other". Piranesi regards the Other as a higher intelligent person and follows his instructions. The Other meets with Piranesi twice a week and asks for help for with his research, A Great and Secret Knowledge.
Piranesi keeps a journal and notes down from every statues he had seen to his discussion with the Other as well as the map of the stars to the schedules of the tides. There are several other halls in the House Piranesi has yet to explored. As he keeps exploring in the House, Piranesi finds the existence of another person. Slowly he discovers a world beyond he knows. From the fragment of traces he found in the rooms to his old journal entries, he begins to learn about the terrible truth about the Other.
For such a short book, it seemed like a long journey at the start of the book but I pick up the pace after some pages. Rich with mysteries for Piranesi to unfold, the writer unravels the existence of the House as well as why and how Piranesi is in it. What is real and what is magic in this world? Such questions are explored in tantalising yet absorbing narrative. Along with Piranesi, I have a chance to saunter through the halls of the House and witness the beauty of each statute and appreciate the tranquility of the House in its peculiar labyrinth. I also get to experience the adventurous journey of the world other than his own.
This is such a poignant read with an unforgettable character. It is easy for one to get lost in a fantasy world especially when it is a complex structure with enticing beauty in it. Self discovery and one's perspective in life are presented with intricate yet convincing narrative. So impressed as well as speechless. This post could probably a rather dull review despite Clarke's crafty and inventive storytelling. It's a kind book I will read it again in future. I will definitely revisit the halls of the House, take a closer look at the statutes and of course listen to Piranesi talking about his discoveries. I'd also recommend you to visit the House and when you do, I'd like to share some words by Piranesi himself.
“May your Paths be safe, your Floors unbroken and may the House fill your eyes with Beauty.”
Hidden Words, Hidden Worlds: Contemporary Short Stories from Myanmar by Lucas Stewart
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
3.25
Hidden Words, Hidden worlds is an anthology of contemporary short stories from Myanmar published by the British Council in 2017. A big shout out and thanks to @ricetwicethrice for sharing this book. An e-copy of this book can be downloaded for free on the British Council website. It is fascinating to learn the process of this translation anthology of multi-ethnic languages into English.
14 short stories featured in this book are from diverse ethnic groups and written in their respective languages—Mon, Sgaw Karen, Kayah Li, Shan Gyi, Jinghpaw, Lai Hakha and Rakhine. Some stories are about the colonial time, some are about uprising under the dictatorship as well as some are stories of the lives in rural places. A few of my favourites are Kaw Tha Wah The Hunter, A Bridge Made from Cord, and A Flightpath for Spiritual Birds. Some historical backgrounds and folklores were appropriately wedged and hence, the story becomes more intriguing. In general, this is a great mixture of stories reflected on issues of political, social, religion, family, love, life, etc of past and present Burma.
14 short stories featured in this book are from diverse ethnic groups and written in their respective languages—Mon, Sgaw Karen, Kayah Li, Shan Gyi, Jinghpaw, Lai Hakha and Rakhine. Some stories are about the colonial time, some are about uprising under the dictatorship as well as some are stories of the lives in rural places. A few of my favourites are Kaw Tha Wah The Hunter, A Bridge Made from Cord, and A Flightpath for Spiritual Birds. Some historical backgrounds and folklores were appropriately wedged and hence, the story becomes more intriguing. In general, this is a great mixture of stories reflected on issues of political, social, religion, family, love, life, etc of past and present Burma.
Most of the stories are told in linear narrative with simple form of storytelling. As a lover of sophisticated (or complex) narrative, this is a bit of a let down. One story in particular bugged me because it has a mixed use of first person narrative and third person narrative for multiple times!😓 Not sure if it was a translation mistake or editorial error. Apart from these two small issues, it was an enjoyable read.
It is very rare to see Burmese books, especially fiction, translated into English. There are some non-fiction books written or translated into English. There are also a handful of books (mostly memoirs) written in English on diaspora voice by Burmese living outside of Burma. So, as a person who always wants to share his country's work of literature to other (English) readers, I'm glad this project was initiated and successfully published.