Why I Read Karim Raslan

With his 3rd anthology in my hand, now I'm ready to share why I read his write-ups.

1. It's fun. You'll find information and wits in an article or short stories.

2. It's simple. He needs only a few pages or half a page column (in paper) to share with us his point of view. For a lazy bump like me, who care less bout details, this is SIMPLY AWESOME.

3. Patriotism. Most of his write ups tell about Malaysia or Asia. The subject matter is very familiar and while he compare with his other half blood, it seems justified. Not too boot licking and yet not too resistance.

4. Superb vocabulary. He is a lawyer and half blood English. What else can I say.

5. Balance. Like point No 3, there is a sense of balance in his articles. I can't help feeling contempt reading his articles.

6. Metaphor. Not only Dr. House M.D knows how to use metaphor (how I wish Dr. House really exist!).

I guess enough for now. I don't think my friends want to know this, but I believe some credit should goes to Mr. Karim Raslan for writing such a cool articles. (His brother, Kam Raslan also write and have same kind of wits in his writing).

Syaja... You ada delivery ye kat depan...

Bukan 1, bukan 2, tapi 3 buku Pramoedya. Though it is not The Mute Soliloqui, but I'm not complaining :p

It is a pleasant surprise to see the parcel I received not in a box (since I'm expecting delivery from supplier as well). So, straight away tersengih2 sebab dah tau what I'll be having!

Even better when I realize I receive not just 1, or 2, but 3 Pramoedya. Woohoo... And when Ibu Adam come back from Singapore, it will add up to 4 books to gobble.


Special thanks untuk Encik Famil (in fact thanks sgt2), for spending some times to search for the books (though the toko buku sebesar ATM kiosk, is it?). Couldn't say anything more... SUKE... :)

Book Review: Saya Terbakar Amarah Sendirian

Tittle: Saya Terbakar Amarah Sendirian
By: Pramoedya Ananta Toer, Andre Vltchek, and Rossie Indira

Special review for FJ.

For those been reading Pak Pram's book, there is nothing new in this tittle. It is more like a recap for his previous works, narrated in form of discussion by Pak Pram, Andre Vltchek, and Rossie Indira.

It just a bit of here and there of his general thinking about KUDETA 1965, pembentukan & kemusnahan budaya di Indonesia, a lil bit bout regim Soeharto, how Soekarno dijatuhkan... And of coz, future.

Nothing much elaborated in details bout his idea, unlike his other books. But then,for beginners like me, this book is sufficient to help me to have general idea bout who he was and what he was thinking.

I think whatever happened in our country now, is a slight repetation of what happened in Indo in the year 1965. Maybe tak seteruk itu, but the plot is pretty much the same.

P/S: IRIAN - Ini Republik Indonesia Anti Netherland
Jawanisme = fasisme Jawa

Tanah Tujuh::Antares

A copy of Tanah Tujuh is already in my hand. Soon, the Tanah Tujuh will be out from the list. Any new book???

Workshop with Kam Raslan

The seats are full (I think because it is free... I really think so!)

Without further a due, I contacted him (Kam Raslan) and ask for other workshop, if any. He replied:

Dear Syajaratul,

I'm sorry they turned you away. The workshop has been surprisingly overbooked. It was meant for 30 but now it's up to 60. I think that MPH might be putting on an extra date, but I'm not sure.

I do intend doing more workshops but not immediately, but hopefully soon. But the next workshops won't be free. Having said that, I'll make sure you get a special discount.

I'll email you when I know about the dates.

Ayo... So when is it? And I hope when he said special discount, he really means special. Anyway, I'll attend it even though there is no discount. He's cool.

This guy is so funny. He is so spontaneous in writing and what I admire the most is that he dares to say what he thinks. Maybe I should learn to accept criticize positively then I'll be open to others kot... I don't know.

Though this is my blog, but still I don't have the courage to pour everything on the site. Wish I could be that brave and daring. My wishful thinking said...

One of his book. Hilarious. Actually, you can always relate the 'cerita dongeng' to real incident. It is just the matter you realize it or not.