[ID-1] Review : Akar

Judul buku: Akar

Penulis: Dee (Dewi Lestari)

Tahun terbit: 2012 (diterbitkan pertama kali tahun 2002)

Penerbit: Bentang Pustaka

Dewi Lestari, yang akrab disapa Dee, bukanlah nama yang asing di telinga saya. Tahun 2001, ketika dunia sastra dihebohkan dengan kemunculan buku Supernova pertama, “Kesatria, Putri dan Bintang Jatuh”, saya, si ABG kelas satu sekolah menengah pertama pun memutuskan untuk meminjam bukunya di perpustakaan sekolah. Sayangnya, pikiran saya masih terlalu sederhana untuk memahami keajaiban kata-kata Dee.

Sebelas tahun kemudian, saya akhirnya bersentuhan lagi dengan serial Supernova, namun saya memutuskan memulai dengan “Akar”. Sekedar catatan, buku-buku Supernova nomor 1 sampai dengan nomor 3 bisa dinikmati secara terpisah =)

“Akar” bercerita tentang sepotong perjalanan hidup seorang pemuda dengan sebuah nama yang unik, Bodhi. Ia ditemukan dibawah pohon asam, di depan sebuah wihara, dan akhirnya diasuh oleh sang kepala wihara. Di usianya yang kedelapan belas, Bodhi meninggalkan wiharanya dan berkelana.

Dimulai dari Penang, ia akhirnya berlabuh untuk waktu yang cukup lama di Bangkok. Bodhi pun berkenalan dengan Kell, seorang pengelana eksotis yang karismatis. Dari Kell lah, Bodhi mengenal seni menato tubuh. Kell adalah ‘belahan jiwa’ Bodhi – seseorang yang sepertinya ditakdirkan untuk melengkapi kepingan teka-teki hidup. Tentunya, seorang soulmate tidak harus selalu seorang kekasih; sahabat atau keluarga juga bisa jadi soulmate kita. Kell percaya bahwa Bodhi adalah orang yang tepat untuk menato tato ke 618 di tubuhnya. Seni tato pun akhirnya menjadi mata pencaharian Bodhi.

Perjumpaan dengan berbagai macam orang, termasuk dengan Star yang cantik dan misterius, membawa Bodhi bertualang ke Laos. Laos rupanya tidaklah ‘setenang’ Thailand. Bodhi pun dibawa menyusuri hutan, jalan-jalan yang tidak mulus, - dan bertemu gerilyawan pemberontak. Semua ini kemudian berakhir dengan akhir cerita yang cukup mengejutkan. Ending yang penuh misteri terkadang lebih baik, bukan? =)

“Akar” adalah tentang punk, backpack traveling, Budhisme dan seni tato. Itu baru empat tema besar yang menjadi pilar-pilar buku setebal 256 halaman ini. Kita juga bisa belajar beberapa kalimat percakapan dalam bahasa Thailand, Laos, dan Perancis, sekaligus istilah-istilah ilmu Kung Fu dan ranjau. Rasanya seperti membaca sebuah ensiklopedia mini. Ini yang namanya menyelam sambil minum air: berkhayal jadi teman perjalanan Bodhi dan belajar banyak hal pada saat yang sama!

Sungguh, saya ingin bertemu Bodhi.

“You have such a beautiful face, Bodhi.”

Ia berbisik.

“So beautiful, it scares the shit outta me.”

(Akar, hal. 100)

Review #9: Norwegian Wood

 

Book Title: Norwegian Wood

Author: Haruki Murakami

Translator: Jay Rubin

Year Published: 1987 (Japanese edition)

      2000 (English edition)

Publisher: Kodansha Ltd. (Japan)

   Vintage Books, A Division of Random House, Inc., New York (USA)

My Tidbits

There’s always a reason why a book is placed in the bestseller shelves. With my growing infatuation on fiction works, I decided to take home a copy of “Norwegian Wood”. After all, I didn’t have a chance to watch the movie on the silver screen (it has actor Kenichi Matsuyama starring in it!).

I have yet to watch the movie until this writing is posted, but “judging” from the trailer, it’s going to be an awesome movie =D

“Norwegian Wood” tells a tale of a complicated love set against the student movement in late 1960s. Watanabe Toru is a young university student who came to Tokyo for his studies. He lives in a dorm, which also provides an interesting story on its own. The object of his love devotion is Naoko, a beautiful and emotionally fragile girlfriend of his dead best friend, Kizuki. While the apathetic Toru is coping well when facing the hypocritical world, Naoko grows quieter and salvages herself in her own world. Along the way, a girl whose personality is the polar opposite of Naoko comes into Toru’s life. She is Midori, a fusion of zest and bluntness from History of Drama class. Naoko increasingly withdraws herself and admitted to a strange, phantasm-like sanatorium. Toru realizes that he still have so much hope on Naoko but finds himself strongly attracted to Midori. The tangled triangle love begins.

While reading this novel, I felt a sense of odd attachment to it. It feels rather weird now that I don’t know Toru’s schedule of the day. I don’t read Naoko’s letters to him anymore. Flashes of scenes were in front of my eyes due to the straightforward yet detailed descriptions. Following day-to-day activities of a monotonous student’s life may sound flat and ordinary. It’s just a love story between confused and passionate youngsters, isn’t it? Well, I was hypnotized =p

Using less decorative vocabularies don’t make a plot looks dull. His characters’ conversations are honest. The typical young adults. Midori’s desperate pleas to Toru (pg. 300 and pg. 346) reveal how vulnerable an emotion can be. An emotion that is often shielded behind a strong façade, because society teaches us so. Haruki Murakami also successfully wins the young readers’ hearts through exploring the dark sides of life. Depression, suicides, sexuality. Our young world is no stranger with them. To be honest, this is my first book that talks about sexuality in a somewhat relaxed way. No awkwardness here.

The book is not that gloomy, actually. I was kind of surprised to see the ‘cuteness’ of young love portrayed on the scenes. The ‘plain’ Toru is able to say such mushy things to Midori – who would ever think of that! =p and guess what, thanks to “Norwegian Wood”, I am sort of awaken now to question my fingers’ anatomy (pg. 314) =p

“Just remember my, life is a box of cookies.”

I shook my head a few times and looked at her. “Maybe because I’m not so smart, but sometimes I don’t know what the hell are you talking about.”

“You know, how they’ve got these cookies assortments, and you like some but you don’t like others? And you eat up all the ones you like, and the only ones left are the ones you don’t like so much? I always think about that when something painful comes up. ‘Now I just have to polish these off, and everything will be O.K.’ Life is a box of cookies.”

(Norwegian Wood, pg. 332)

Review #8: The Last Lecture

Book Title: The Last Lecture
Author: Randy Pausch & Jeffrey Zaslow
Year Published: 2008
Publisher: Hyperion Books (USA)
                 Hodder & Stoughton (UK)

My tidbits

Firm but compassionate. That’s how I see Randy Pausch, the author of this international bestseller. I have never known him, but inspiration knows no boundaries. Dr. Randy was a brilliant scientist, who was also a professor in Carnegie Mellon University. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2006, when he was only 46 years old. As a way to create as many memories as possible for his very young children, Randy chose to do what he was best at: delivering lectures.

“The Last Lecture” is a based on a talk he gave to the audience of 400 in Carnegie Mellon, titled “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams”. Randy Pausch prepared slides on how he achieved his childhood dreams, and creating dreams for other people around him. The video of his lecture is available for viewing on Youtube =) 

Achieving childhood dreams? Not many people are that lucky. Some have it buried under their conscious life. However, Randy Pausch was able to fulfill some of dreams in his checklist. I believe Randy worked really hard to be where he was – and he grabbed every little chance offered to him, that would lead him to get nearer to his childhood dreams.  Keep finding ways and pushing, and pushing. I admire his persistence, really. Randy had this view/motto/idea that “brick walls are there for a reason: they let us prove how badly we want things.” That pretty much explains how he checked all of those in the list =)

As bright as he always was – he was a Disney Imagineer for 6 months, and became a once-a-week consultant for Disney for the next 10 years – Randy had every right to be conceited. In fact, some people perceived him as “tactless” and “quickest to offend someone he just met” (pg. 67), though he didn’t mean it that way. Yet, he was humble enough to call himself as a “recovering jerk” (pg. 116), when he found a student that was difficult to work with. I found it inspiring, as I don’t have the humility to admit that I am too, can be like that sometimes =p

Some cliché advices we have heard, somewhere, somehow. Randy talked about them too here. Oh no. That sounds like another way to close the book prematurely. But Randy still caught my attention and got me to sit and read the advices carefully. “All of You Have to do is Ask”, “Loyalty is Two-Way Street”, or “Be the First Penguin” are just few of the “oh-so-true” advices linked to his interesting life experiences.  

“The Last Lecture” really gives me the impression of a compilation of Randy’s fatherly advices and listening to his childhood stories (growing up in 60’s and 70’s sounds cool to me now). My own father shares a lot of his wisdom to his children (I win the parent lottery too!), and maybe that’s why this book holds a special place in my heart =)

Review #7: The Hundred Secret Senses

Book Title: The Hundred Secret Senses

Author: Amy Tan

Year published: 1995

Publisher: Vintage Books, a division of Random House, Inc., New York, USA.

My Tidbits

Reading “The Hundred Secret Senses” do feel like having a reunion with Ms. Amy Tan. My first encounter with her works happened back in 2005. Tan’s “The Bonesetter’s Daughter” was used as one of three literary works being examined for English Literature subject that year. I remember I was so hooked up with the book. The storyline was flowing, and the most vital thing: the characters spoke in modern, American English. Everyone will nod in agreement for sure – the other reading materials were Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” (which was actually entertaining) and Henry Handel Richardson's "Getting of Wisdom". 

Instead of the cultural gap between mothers and their daughters, “The Hundred Secret Senses” revolves around a half-American Olivia Laguni and her step-sister from China, Kwan Li. To Olivia, or often referred by Kwan as “Libby-ah”, Kwan is her source embarrassment and fear. Kwan, with her mangled English, is a person of inexhaustible cheerfulness and holds Olivia very dearly. The absent figure of Olivia’s mother after her father’s death is replaced by Kwan, who took care of her needs. Still, Olivia doesn’t regard her highly. Every night, Kwan would also tell stories to her in Mandarin. The story of Kwan’s past life, way back in 19^th century, as she believes she has “yin eyes” and is able to talk with the spirit of dead persons. Although Olivia tried to overlook it, slowly the stories engraved into her memory.

Another central character is Simon Bishop, Olivia’s estranged husband. They grow apart after 17 years of marriage, and it may sound common in individualist Western culture. However, the gloomy story from the past involving Simon’s deceased ex-girlfriend soon prove to be a hurdle in Olivia’s seemingly perfect marriage.

Amy Tan got me amazed with her detailed description on places. The scene where Olivia and Simon took a tour around their future house required my dictionary to be my savior =p Tan’s rich vocabularies, alongside the smooth transition between each character’s personal stories, let my imagination run wild. It took me a while to absorb myself in Kwan’s past life, while occasionally shifted to present day Olivia’s perspective. Nevertheless it didn’t take me long to hail “The Hundred Secret Senses” as Tan’s masterpiece so far! =)

The scenes such as “scolding someone means care about them”, or even the inability to express the frozen feelings after so long don’t sound odd for me. As a Chinese descent myself, and as a human being at a greater view, I have experienced what Olivia or Kwan feel and face. In the end, it is what Amy Tan’s works all about: to touch our real emotion behind the oh-so-celebrated glamorous façade. Behind every perfect image we carve, there’s always hidden pain and discomforts, traced back to our roots. It is necessary to understand that everyone has a significant story that shaped them – you are just yet to hear about it.

“Love is tricky.

It is never mundane or daily. You can never get used to it.

You have to walk with it, then let it walk with you.

You can never balk.

It moves you like the tide.

It takes you out to the sea, then lays you on the beach again.

Today’s struggling pain is the foundation for a certain stride through the heavens.

You can run from it but you can never say no.

It includes everyone.”

(The Hundred Secret Senses, pg. 92)

Review #6 : Tiny Buddha : Simple Wisdom for Life's Hard Questions

Book Title: Tiny Buddha: Simple Wisdom for Life's Hard Questions
Author: Lori Deschene
Year Published: 2012
Publisher: Conari Press (San Francisco, CA, USA)

My Tidbits

Now tiny daily wisdoms come handy! =D I can’t recall when and where did I find Tiny Buddha, since reading the postings has slowly but smoothly integrated into my routines. I still eagerly wait for the mails sent to my inbox, absorbing as much amount of wisdom as possible once I get to read an article posted in the website =) like every reader who feels benefited from contributors’ generous sharing, there’s a wave of gratitude that flows inside me =’)

The chapters are separated into several life issues that are easier said than done: Pain, Meaning, Change, Fate, Happiness, Love, Money, Possibilities and Control. In every section, Lori addresses a question used as a basis to answer the main topic. The interesting part is that the questions addressed were answered by Twitter users around the world. It is comforting and interesting to find great wisdom not only from great people’s sayings, but from our own folks. Our fellows who face daily life’s struggle like us =)

Lori excellently combines with her personal stories with thorough researches from various sources; from Viktor E. Frankl’s “Man’s Search for Meaning” to the famous saying in “Jerry Maguire”: “You complete me.” Frankly, I wonder how did she does it – choosing a life story based on memories and relates it to the topic - because I can’t remember everything that I went through! =p. The readers will also get a bite of Lori’s experiences working for various employers and her encounters with new people she met during the ‘journey’ =)

At the end of every sub-topic, Lori also put a series of simple checklist to help the readers overcome the concerns. I found them are very helpful, with specific examples (“Are you ignoring what you really feel about something so that other people think you’re being positive?”) attached to the steps =) Sometimes we are just not that sure about our own feelings!

Written with passion, simplicity and good humor, “Tiny Buddha: Simple Wisdom for Life’s Hard Questions” just like what is written on the back cover: a little book with big heart <3

Review #5: By The River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept

 

Book Title: By The River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept
Author: Paulo Coelho
Year Published: 1994
Publishers: Editora Ltd (Brazil)
                   HarperCollinsPublishers (UK)


My Tidbits

Okay, so after finishing the biography of the author, I decided to read one of Paulo's masterpieces. And I just realized that the feeling of jumping straightaway to fiction after reading a non-fiction is totally different. When we read non-fiction, we churn the ideas and facts that are served to us, while trying to link the concept to our real life events. Fiction needs my imagination and at the same time, that ability to translate the hidden message behind the flowing beauty of words =) I admit that I need to concentrate more to read fiction (and constant reading time - blame my short span of attention :p), than when I read non-fiction. But of course, I love both! haha xD

This book tells the story of Pilar, a girl from a small town called Soria, and her meeting with a childhood friend and also an old flame of her life. Pilar hasn't only re-ignite the sparks, but also involved in a journey to re-discover her faith. After 11 years, Pilar is a university student and her unnamed leading man is now a charismatic spiritual teacher with a gift to cure illnesses. From attending a spiritual conference that he led, Pilar travels with him to meet people who introduce and talk about the feminine side of God to her. The story goes on how the feminine side of spirituality, often referred as Great Mother, actually presents in many religions and faiths and earn the highest respect from the devotees. Meanwhile, the Catholic Church recognizes Virgin Mary as an important figure, but has yet to fully accept her as the feminine face of God.

I'd say that 'By The River Piedra...' has an interesting mixture of love tales and longing for worldly desire and divine light. Pilar struggles to learn to listen to her heart and following her dream to live with the man, while fighting her doubts. Meanwhile, the spiritually-gifted gentleman finally chooses to let go of his gift and leads a normal life with Pilar. What I love is that it's not a 'grandeur' love story - the exquisitely simple and straightforward words chosen echo in my heart loudly. There are about two or three scenes in the book that actually moved me to tears, and those are short but sweet ones like saying "I Love You" :')

And I really love the part where the man gives a lecture in the conference on taking risk to fully use the gift or talent bestowed upon us, and that miracles do exist in our everyday life. What he says in the lecture sound true to me and I found myself paused for a while to let the words came to my mind and stayed around =)

This book offers me to view love from real-life perspectives: our fear to speak out loud our dreams; our struggle to believe in ourselves and see what's true of us; the willingness to go through ups and downs in life with our loved ones; and the power of true love.

Review #4: A Warrior's Life: A Biography of Paulo Coelho

Book Title: A Warrior's Life: A Biography of Paulo Coelho
Author: Fernando Morais
Year Published: 2008
Publisher: Editora Planeta Do Brazil Ltda (Brazil)
               HarperCollinsPublishers (UK)



My Tidbits

Yeap, surprised to see another post coming up from this blog? When even myself thought that I'd never touch it anymore? It has resurrected now for sure, thanks to someone =) and I will try my best to keep it 'alive and kicking'! ;)

I didn't even know that Coelho actually published a biography, until I saw this book in a bookstore in Dubai Airport. I have only read two works by him so far (I'm reading the third), but like the rest of the readers, I have no doubt that I have fallen for this magician of words =)  My first book of him was Brida, and I didn't think it was a good start as I wasn't able to comprehend fully the deep theme of spirituality shown in the book. It was only after I read The Alchemist, I was captured by the journey of the shepherd boy Santiago in search of the meaning of life. It will definitely raise a lot of question marks if it is not a bestseller! =D

Coelho, as described in the book, is not just a 'mere mortal' ~ a description which is not an exaggeration, in my opinion =)  Born in 1947 in Rio De Janeiro, he was notorious for his out-of-the-box way of thinking since his early days on Earth. Coelho wasn't a bright student in his schooldays, but he was certainly bright on something he knew he was destined to do: joining the literary society. Despite his parents' wish for him to be a bright student and followed Coelho, Sr. to become an engineer (he indeed showed a brief interest in this field, but it was too brief compared to his lifelong fascination with writing), he showed no interest in school life, and barely made his way to a prestigious school in Rio.

Rebellion was a noun that filled young Paulo Coelho's days. Frankly speaking, the paths he chose to live in his 20s were jaw-dropping for some goody two-shoes like me, as Coelho was close to drugs (he was constantly smoking cannabis and tried various drugs), a Don Juan, and even made a pact with the devil as he was also into vampirism and magic world. The hippie lifestyle that Coelho led has brought him to the walls behind the bars as well. Although it was not a serious crime that he committed, it was a tough era for Brazilian activists and a series of interrogation that Coelho went through left him in temporary paranoia.

Paulo Coelho is widely known as a bestselling author, but probably only a few of people knew that he was a famous lyricist in Brazil during 1970s! His duet with musician Raul Seixas was a hit in Brazilian music industry. However, the constant flow of money to his bank account and his popularity in music industry couldn’t fill his yearn to write a book. He fell into depression when his effort to become an author in London failed and he had to fly back to his hometown.

It was not until he met his spiritual master, often referred as Jean or J, and renewed his faith during his ‘Road to Santiago’ trip, that Coelho wrote his first bestseller book The Pilgrimage. By the end of 1987, 12,000 copies of the book have been sold in Brazil.

A Warrior’s Life was written with extensive details from Paulo Coelho’s diaries and interviews with closest individuals in 64 years of his life. It took me 2 months with sporadic reading time to finish the book, but it was too intriguing for me to give up finishing the 597-pages book =p. The exquisitely arranged facts – both important and trivial ones – are more than enough to give us an insightful glance to the world that Coelho has been living in. It is more than enough for me to look at the hailed author in different light =)

It will sound rather disparaging to say that this biography is just like another profile of famous persons. In my opinion, A Warrior’s Life is the encyclopedia of Paulo Coelho – you can find almost anything you want to know about this ‘immortal’ by simply turn the pages =) 

I am definitely a fan of Fernando Morais too, now! ;)