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whimsicallyreading's reviews
351 reviews
Blindness by José Saramago
5.0
In one boring afternoon, a man suddenly goes blind. But it's not a pitch-black blindness– a blinding milk-white light is all he sees. This turns out to be an epidemic that spares no one in the city, but a doctor's wife. .
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(rate: THIS BOOK IS THAT GOOD I FELT THE URGE TO WRITE AND POST THIS RAMBLING/10) #Blindness is probably the most realistic and eye-opening (no pun intended) post-apocalyptic book I've ever read, as #JoséSaramago pulls no punches in describing the usually overlooked small aspects of this genre: the hygiene, food, and shelter problems. He even mentioned about the menstruation women have to deal with, the sexual desire men have to fulfil, etc. Every scene is written in a very chaotic and disturbing but also genuine and reasonable way. This book will give you unfamiliar thoughts of everything around you, as you'll find yourself noticing and memorizing the colours of lights and buildings, the facial features of strangers, the texture details of everything you touch, and you'll end up fearing of what if those turn all white. It honestly gave me nightmares after. It's horrifying to see people slowly losing their humanity and turning into animals... but at least even animals aren't sightless.
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(rate: THIS BOOK IS THAT GOOD I FELT THE URGE TO WRITE AND POST THIS RAMBLING/10) #Blindness is probably the most realistic and eye-opening (no pun intended) post-apocalyptic book I've ever read, as #JoséSaramago pulls no punches in describing the usually overlooked small aspects of this genre: the hygiene, food, and shelter problems. He even mentioned about the menstruation women have to deal with, the sexual desire men have to fulfil, etc. Every scene is written in a very chaotic and disturbing but also genuine and reasonable way. This book will give you unfamiliar thoughts of everything around you, as you'll find yourself noticing and memorizing the colours of lights and buildings, the facial features of strangers, the texture details of everything you touch, and you'll end up fearing of what if those turn all white. It honestly gave me nightmares after. It's horrifying to see people slowly losing their humanity and turning into animals... but at least even animals aren't sightless.
Ms Ice Sandwich by Mieko Kawakami
3.0
I love Japanese fiction and its quirk, weirdness, and creativity that pulls such poignant stories out of the mundane things in life!
Told from the perspective of a ten-year-old, Kawakami enticingly captures the train of thought of a kid with a strong notion of youth's innocence. Kids are as honest as they are in pointing out their opinions on things, and I absolutely love that. They can be both mind-provoking and extremely amusing to read. On top of that, Kawakami also inserts subtle critique on the standard of beauty in society and I love the narrator's pure attempt to comprehend it.
I think I am going to read more of Japanese fiction from now on
Told from the perspective of a ten-year-old, Kawakami enticingly captures the train of thought of a kid with a strong notion of youth's innocence. Kids are as honest as they are in pointing out their opinions on things, and I absolutely love that. They can be both mind-provoking and extremely amusing to read. On top of that, Kawakami also inserts subtle critique on the standard of beauty in society and I love the narrator's pure attempt to comprehend it.
I think I am going to read more of Japanese fiction from now on
Once Upon an Eid: Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices by S.K. Ali, Aisha Saeed
5.0
Absolutely heartwarming. I have always loved Christmas stories despite being a Muslim and it is kinda ironic that this is my first time reading Eid stories. This year was a completely new Eid experience for me, and for everyone, probably, due to the pandemic. It was vacant without the home visits, pocket money, aunts' curious questions, variant of cookies, laughter of little cousins, etc. This book, though I wasn't reading it during the Eid, filled the vacant spot right there with the stories that may sound mundane but turns out to fiercely hit close to home.
My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
5.0
It's brilliant. It's agitating. It's deadpan straightforward yet vivid. I literally held my breath every time the topic of Ayoola's demeanors brought up to Korede. As an older sister, I completely relate to Korede, though there are definitely points where I have the urge to slap Ayoola
Perempuan yang Menangis kepada Bulan Hitam by Dian Purnomo
5.0
“Semakin dekat seseorang tinggal dengan kita, justru sering kali semakin jauh hatinya.”
Membacanya mengingatkan saya pada Kim Ji-Yeong Lahir Tahun 1982–menyayat hati dan membakar amarah. Dian Purnomo mengemas cerita Magi 'Drakula' Diela dengan bahasa yang santai dan banyak selipan dialek daerah Sumba, membuat saya tidak bisa berhenti melanjutkan kisah perjuangan yang sarat motif budaya ini.
Meskipun di daerah saya adat seperti kawin tangkap atau perjodohan paksa (sepertinya) sudah bukan hal yang marak dilakukan, ada beberapa poin yang terasa universal bagi seluruh perempuan di dunia, contohnya dialog Kak Lawe dengan Magi, yang menceritakan bagaimana Lawe merasa kehilangan identitasnya sejak menikah:
“Tapi kadang, setelah melahirkan Dani, sa merasa hilang jati diri. Orang panggil sa Mama Dani. Pergi su si Lawe dari muka bumi. Tidak ada lagi Lawe. Pelan-pelan nama itu akan hilang, orang lupa sa pung nama.”
Membacanya mengingatkan saya pada Kim Ji-Yeong Lahir Tahun 1982–menyayat hati dan membakar amarah. Dian Purnomo mengemas cerita Magi 'Drakula' Diela dengan bahasa yang santai dan banyak selipan dialek daerah Sumba, membuat saya tidak bisa berhenti melanjutkan kisah perjuangan yang sarat motif budaya ini.
Meskipun di daerah saya adat seperti kawin tangkap atau perjodohan paksa (sepertinya) sudah bukan hal yang marak dilakukan, ada beberapa poin yang terasa universal bagi seluruh perempuan di dunia, contohnya dialog Kak Lawe dengan Magi, yang menceritakan bagaimana Lawe merasa kehilangan identitasnya sejak menikah:
“Tapi kadang, setelah melahirkan Dani, sa merasa hilang jati diri. Orang panggil sa Mama Dani. Pergi su si Lawe dari muka bumi. Tidak ada lagi Lawe. Pelan-pelan nama itu akan hilang, orang lupa sa pung nama.”
The Perfect World of Miwako Sumida by Clarissa Goenawan
3.0
My first Clarissa Goenawan's book and I think I am looking forward to her debut, Rainbirds, later. With the Murakami's Norwegian Wood-esque melancholic setting, Goenawan brings us to delve into the coming-of-age of Miwako Sumida, Chie Ohno, and Ryusei and Fumi Yanagi.
My favorite part is Chie's background story, because hers feels realistic and close to find around us; changing and losing ourselves to please people, but eventually finding ourselves at the end. The showcased part for me is where Chie talks about the concept of "transparent people", which hits quite close to home, I guess.
Despite having Chie's as my favorite arc, the character I adore the most is possibly Fumi-nee, for I find her representation for trans is subtly endearing yet not romanticized. However, her arc involving sudden hint of magical realism makes it a bit weaker than the others.
The ending! The ending is the only thing I am mostly complaining about. There is something lacking about the ending as I wish we got to see more of Ryusei's success in overcoming his grief and achieving peace within himself.
My favorite part is Chie's background story, because hers feels realistic and close to find around us; changing and losing ourselves to please people, but eventually finding ourselves at the end. The showcased part for me is where Chie talks about the concept of "transparent people", which hits quite close to home, I guess.
Despite having Chie's as my favorite arc, the character I adore the most is possibly Fumi-nee, for I find her representation for trans is subtly endearing yet not romanticized. However, her arc involving sudden hint of magical realism makes it a bit weaker than the others.
The ending! The ending is the only thing I am mostly complaining about. There is something lacking about the ending as I wish we got to see more of Ryusei's success in overcoming his grief and achieving peace within himself.