Sympathy for Lady Vengeance

Happy Easter, everybody! Or if you are not celebrating Easter and happen to be in Kawasaki area, Happy Dick Day (or so my friend told me).

Proof. She said it is her fav pic.

Anyway. I had time and was in the appropriate mood for watching Park Chan Wook's movie. I've been meaning to watch either Oldboy or Sympathy for Lady Vengeance. I am more interested to watch the latter, though, because I had watched some part of Oldboy in Metro TV about 4 years ago and searched the synopsis afterwards and IT GROSSED ME OUT.

Meanwhile, Lady Vengeance's storyline certainly holds far more appeal for me. It tells us a story about Geum Ja, a lady hell-bent on avenging the unfair sentence she received. I just realized how beautiful Lee Young Ae actually is here XD. She transformed so much from the role that brought her worldwide fame as Dae Jang Geum, the healer...

to...

Oh my goodness.

So awesomely kicking-ass!

Watching Lady Vengeance makes me admiring the cinematography style of Chan Wook. The fade to black-and-white really works well. He successfully makes the atmosphere beautifully dark and masterfully utilizes the combination between bright and dark. I love the way he told the story about Geum Ja's involvement with other inmates. And his pacing is exceedingly good.
So many gems in this movie. The opening, for example.

Hehe. I fully realize that I might be nasty.

Sorry sorry sorry but I JUST CANNOT STAND HIS HAIRCUT. And this expression doesn't help, either. 

The only thing I feel is EXACTLY the opposite of sympathy.

The part where Geum Ja nonchalantly, angelically, immorally squirted bleach into a prison bully's food, is delicious to watch.  

Pure gold!

And it helps that the movie has a boy toy that is very easy on the eyes...

YUMMY BOY TOY YUMMY BOY TOY YUMMY BOY TOY (slaps self hard to stop)

I've only watched another one of his movie, Stoker. It has Nicole Kidman and Mia Wasikowska, among others.

I think Chan Wook has some interest and fascination with Australia, because the couple who adopted Geum Ja's daughter (Jenny) are from Australia and Stoker is set in Australia. It has the same style as Lady Vengeance, for my amateur eyes, but somehow... it... does... not... work. I don't know what to blame. Perhaps, a storyline that works for Korean (or Asian) characters doesn't work for Australians (Caucasians). I am pretty sure that's the cause.
For example, the part where Jenny's adoptive parents and Geum Ja got insanely drunk in the daylight... just feels plain impossible...

Lady Vengeance earns 10 stars because it kicks ass, is not too far-fetched, and does not gross me out.

Sources:
Personal documentation of Ruth F.
Various internet links 
Personal captures from the movie, but I hereby that I have exactly zero rights to them 

Arok Dedes by Pramoedya Ananta Toer

I don't know why but I love books with historical settings - Indonesian history is no exception as long as the author is capable of captivating me with his/ her way of storytelling. I don't care whether it is detective, romance, or political novel, as long as it is interesting. And the characters from Hindu-Buddha period have such beautiful Sanskrit names. Mahendradatta, Airlangga, Tribhuwana Tunggadewi, Pramodhawardhani, Jayakatwang, Dandang Gendis...

Arok Dedes tells us about the coup d'etat of Tumapel - a fief of Hindu kingdom of Kediri/ Kadiri - which started the beginning of Kediri coup d'etat. The caste division in Toer's recreation of Kediri is, ordered from the lowest, pariah - sudra - ksatria - brahmin. The waisya caste was abolished by King Erlangga some 200 years before the events in the novel. King Erlangga, who worshiped Vishnu, did many things that caused discontent and angered the brahmins, who mostly worshiped Shiva and Parvati, his wife. The novel opened with a strong event. Tunggul Ametung, the akuwu (vassal) of Tumapel, kidnapped and force married and then raped Dedes, daughter of Mpu Parwa, a brahmin who worshiped Shiva. Tunggul Ametung was a sudra, the second lowest caste, whereas Dedes was a brahmin, the highest caste. The kidnapping of Dedes - a maiden with goddess-like features - was an event that triggered a multitude of events, which resulted on the fall of Tunggul Ametung and the installation of Arok as the rightful new ruler.

Toer recreated the 1220 AD Hindu-Buddha kingdom so well it is so believable. Conflicts based on religious reasons were as rampant as nowadays, as well as corrupt officials and oily politicians. Many compared the events in Arok Dedes with the real coup d'etat of Sukarno, the first president of Indonesia, dictator and Proclamator of Independence, but I honestly cannot see that much similarities. You can say that Arok is Suharto's equivalent, whereas the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) can be equated with Kebo Ijo's/ Mpu Gandring's Movement. The sleight of hand, throwing all the blame on a not-so-innocent-but-much-stupider-side can be considered as a similarity. But equating Ametung with Sukarno is stretching a bit too far... The similarities of the Indonesian 1965 coup and the Tumapel 1220 coup stops here. 

I cannot say I like the way Dedes depicted here. She is sometimes smart and brave enough to undertake vital tasks (tricking Kebo Ijo, drugging Ametung) but sometimes she is so naive I almost laugh in disbelief. One of the example of her naivete is believing that Arok-Lohgawe's conspiration was truly to replace Vishnu with Shiva as the main god to worship. Which of course, was never their intention from the very beginning.

 

Dedes. Darling.

Her beauty saved her ass so many times it's hard to count. Ametung was smitten, Kebo Ijo was willing to sacrifice Tumapel as long as he can have Dedes, and Arok fell in love as well. Even Helen of Troy doesn't have that many admirers. And the next kings of Javanese kingdoms can trace their lineage back to Dedes. The kings of Singasari (the new kingdom Arok erected after vanquished Kediri) were Dedes-Ametung descendants, while the kings of Majapahit were Dedes-Arok's. The Greeks have a woman with face that can launch a thousand ships; we have a woman whose descendants built two different kingdoms. 

She is truly a lucky woman.

Toer is proven an admirable author, for he composed a story so rich in details and captivating in mere three months (1st October - 24 December 1976) during his exile in Buru. He combined the words beautifully, made them convey the meaning and nuances gorgeously and unerringly. Few authors can combine proper, beautiful Indonesian words without making the result feels cheap, fake, and too sappy (cough, Andrei Aksana, cough). So far, the most skilful wordsmiths I have encountered beside Toer are Remy Sylado (I REALLY WANT a copy of Ca Bau Kan, by the way) and Sapardi Djoko Damono. Arok Dedes is definitely a must read and must have because reading it once is not enough. This is my second reading, my first was five years ago.  
And folks, the closing is awesome for Indonesian novel. Pretty hardcore. 

Hint, hint.

Arok Dedes is a novel that proves that you can read a novel with good quality with enjoyment and no boredom.

The Poisoner's Handbook by Deborah Blum

Sometimes, on very rare occasions, you stumble upon things that seem like to be specifically tailored for you. Clothes. A boy. Books. I will talk about the last.

Source: Goodreads

The Poisoner's Handbook is a collection of poisoning cases, both intentional and unintentional ones. The author categorizes the case based on the poison involved. For each poison, there are several cases presented and usually there is one case elaborated among them. That case is usually a major one, meaning that in the day it happened, it became headline in virtually every media, was discussed in daily basis, and always in people's head. The beauty of Ms. Blum's narrative is that she succeeds in telling three stories in one shot. First, the case, from almost every aspect (the poison and the human factor). Secondly, the poison involved - the general information, physicochemical characteristics, and mode of action. Thirdly, the development of forensics and the rise of career (with all the obstacles and difficulties in the way) of two brilliant scientists at that time - Charles Norris and Alexander Gettler. 

AW. Norris is the one with beard. Gettler is the dude fiddling with chemical instrument.

I keep mentioning 'that day', 'that time'. Exactly when? That's the extra beauty of this book. They all happened during the Jazz Age - the crazy period when everyone seemed to be experimenting with everything. Also quite a period for the teetotalers and non-teetotalers, because alcohol is prohibited, hence the term Prohibition. It seemed to be an interesting time to live... With all the speakeasies, flapper attire and attitude, art deco, and jazz. Oh. My.

This book inspires me to take Toxicology class - a decision I am thankful for making :D You do not need to be an expert in chemistry or biology to enjoy and understand this book, although having some knowledge helps enhancing the enjoyment of this book. If you like any of these things: Jazz Age, poisons, historical stuff, forensic stuff - I can say with total conviction that this book is for you. Ms. Blum composes a very good book - both structurally and content-wise, so I think this book can be suitable for everyone. Ten stars for The Poisoner's Handbook!   
PS: My favourite poison will be the stealthy carbon monoxide. It is undetected during its action (at least in that period) and the only trace it leaves is the characteristic cherry-red shaded blood of its victim. LOVELY.

Bright Lights, Big Ass by Jennifer Lancaster

Hiya!
Updating my blog this frequently is unusual, I admit. But this is the only way to prevent me from posting:

1. Self-pitying status on either Facebook and/ or LINE (self-pitying comment has already been written - too late to do anything about that);
2. Picture containing self-pitying statement; 
3. Profanity-filled status on the two aforementioned social media;
4. Picture stating my current/ latest emotional condition (angry/ super pissed off/ worried shitless/ helpless/ desperate/ sad - yeah, no positive feeling at all. AT ALL. I almost wished my flight fell into Hindia Ocean or something. Just kidding! Just a macabre, inappropriate joke. After all, I am not nice enough to enter any version of heaven in any religion. If my heart is weighed against the feather in Egyptian version of heaven, the scale wouldn't freaking balance. The side that carries my heart will maybe just drop. I need to bank more good deeds. Heh.)
5. This

Ain't she charming?

Because every time I feel annoyed, I always post Adora or use her as my profile picture. Sorry, gal. Don't stub me with your cigarette stub. 

Or, stab me with your stiletto. I beg you, don't.

And this is also the only way to prevent me from controlling a lady named Mayberry Delancey (Mayberry Oss after marrying Edvin Oss) for THREE FREAKING STRAIGHT HOURS. 

Binge Sims 3 gaming, commence. That poor PC.

Blogging and reading a fun book are admittedly counterproductive, but they are the least counterproductive from all the activities I can choose. And I did productive things before. But, after all,  you can only have that amount of dirty dishes. And you can only eat that much before you feel full and/ or balloon. And, counterproductive as they are, at least they are good media for practicing my English.

So now, it's about the book. As you maybe have deduced from the title, this book is a light read. I don't care, judge away. I frankly prefer reading materials that entertain me, not the ones which make me seem more intellectual or whatever. This book is a sequel to Bitter is the New Black, which I have read before. I read Bright Lights because I like Bitter.

Why was I interested in Bitter in the first place?

Because of the subtitle, obviously ^^

Whoa. Carrying a Prada bag. To the unemployment office.  マジ？

After finishing reading it (didn't take a long time because Jennifer Lancaster is a very entertaining author), yes, マジ。

But I've read Bitter quite a long time ago, so I cannot really review it. On the contrary, I just finished re-reading Bright Lights recently (as recent as two-three hours before this post is published) so I am absolutely in good capacity to review it.

I like Jennifer Lancaster plenty as an author. Her tone is witty and there is enough sarcasm and dry wit in her books. Bright Lights highlighted the events after Bitter, in which their situation gets better after unemployment caused of the burst of the dot-com bubble. Bright Lights can be enjoyed as both sequel and standalone novel. After reading two novels by her (and in the middle of the third), I must say that I think Jen Lancaster's husband is either a saint or crazy about her or both. Both is very probable. 

The lifestyle you can have from a couple (whose female half working a temp job and writing and the male half working a permanent job, but not necessarily long lasting) in Chicago, Illinois, USA is very different from Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. But maybe the fact that this couple only has two human mouths to feed (not counting two dogs and three cats, if I recall correctly) also contributes to the difference. I mean, this couple can still consume lots of food I consider luxury (pork chops, liquor), buying things at IKEA, and buying new things. 

Here, in Indonesia, you are very lucky if you can still pay the taxes and mortgages and whatnot with the salary you get from that kind of job. That kind of lifestyle? Impossible. Eating outside is also ちょっとダメ as well. 

I feel a bit strange about the author's stance about her weight. I understand that inner beauty is important (But sometimes the nastiest girls get the best boys, solely because of their beauty - and that's life. Being pretty and cute is important, actually. At least, it helps. Anyone who's telling you that only inner beauty is important is either a liar or as naive as you), nobody should feel ashamed about his/ her weight, and nobody should develop bad body image. But, uhm, when well... your size keep increasing and your diet seems delicious but you rarely exercise (as in driving instead of walking a block), I think you need to watch out. Because, although Jen Lancaster maintains that her cholesterol level is fine and blood pressure is awesome and she is pretty and decked in good taste on daily basis (I don't know about the first two, but I certainly agree on the third), having that kind of weight cannot be healthy in the long run, in my opinion. As you get older, you can wave hi to your soon-to-be-仲良し - the dreaded atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes type II.

 

Chances of encounter are high!

And I am amazed on the amount and type of drugs she takes. Xanax? Zoloft (if I am not mistaken).

Let's just say that USA is a very different country, judging from this book.

But they have awesome food there. As comparison and example, I have desperately sought an affordable cheese that can melt. 

This. The only one that is available in whole country.

To no avail. Either they don't produce it anymore (PLEASE DON'T SAY THIS IS WHY I DIDN'T FIND ANY) or four stores simultaneously run out of this cheese. But I haven't tried the コンビニ, although admittedly I am pessimistic I can find it in コンビニ. If they no longer produce it, I am ちょっと fucked because that means my only options are spreadable (ProChizz, quite OK but still IT'S NOT MELTED CHEESE), no melted cheese for the rest of my life if I am trapped here, or the insanely expensive real mozzarella which retails for Rp 42.500,00 (equals 3.24 USD, 2.92 euro - dirt cheap for you, freakishly out of range for me).

In Chicago, a couple that considers themselves 'saving and broke' can still buy and consume Brie, nice take-outs, and five different kinds of nice cheese. So different. But it maybe because decent cheese is a staple there and a luxury here. I don't know.

Reading Bright Lights is very entertaining, but also makes me feel a bit bitter. Still, ten stars.

And lots of apologies if this post is not too focused.

Deep Blue Goodbye by John D. MacDonald

OOOH.
I love bad boys with morals. They are the best :)

I was finishing a book by Charles Ardai, Fifty to One. This is a decent book but now I am not in the mood for reviewing it. I was pleasantly surprised upon knowing that this book was written fairly recently because the hardboiled tone is perfect. That means they still make 'em after all!

Not a scene from the novel, but still freaking awesome

Ardai is definitely in my list of to-watch authors from now on.  

Okay, back to the topic. In the postface, Ardai writes about 'mythical, legendary books people say in whispers that are probably exist'. One of them, he says, is MacDonald's Travis McGee 'black book'. That made me curious. The only books that have colour-related titles that I know are Mao's Little Red Book and the Yellow Book, an Islamic holy book, apparently. So, what's that black book and how important is it? Why the fuss? And so I decided to Google John D. MacDonald and Travis McGee. The premise hooked me immediately because I like 1. flawed heroes, 2. bastards with carefree attitude on the outside but golden hearts inside. The premise is also very similar with The Finder, a not-so-successful TV show (the characters guest-starred in one Bones episode, once) which I enjoy. 

So I got the books pretty soonish and started reading the first pretty soonish as well.

The reading experience had been enjoyable. The book proved to be a good read in almost every situations. Before going to bed, in the middle of journey when you're a passenger in either a full backseat of a car or a sleepy morning train, waiting for PCR, etc. This is not a book that makes you feel like you have to read it non-stop, but you'll also hate to just skip to the end. Deep Blue Goodbye is a darling :) a Coca Cola of book. No boring moment, the pacing is perfect, the characters are logical. Travis seems to be really charming though - almost all the ladies want to jump him, but it is a common feature from books from that period. And, I mean, from the author's skillful description, he's damn irresistible. Who can resist a tanned boy (not overtanned or something) from Florida, who can look as if he's anyone, (accountant, boat boy, salesperson, anyone), is confident without being cocky, witty, clear-headed, good with boat, a decent poker player, has good physique, can survive in almost any conditions, and can extract himself from almost any sticky conditions? Not me. I will definitely jump him as well or give him some chaste - or not so chaste - kisses. 

At least a hundred. Each time with different warpaint colour

The antagonist is a loathsome bastard. I am surprised that he can get away with his deeds for quite a long time, because his nastiness is pretty obvious. He is so awfully disgusting that it will take me some time to be able to view someone with the name Allen in a good light again. I cannot see the reason behind his crimes, though, because I cannot wrap it around my head the reason someone wants to corrupt and degrade another human so thoroughly. 

The damsels, though in great distresses, are proven to be able to hold themselves well. They got beaten, humiliated, fleeced, but in the end, it is proven that without them McGee's accomplishment will not be as good and smoothly achieved. Not all of them get the happy endings, which makes the story feel more realistic. 

If you love hardboiled genre but want to read one set not in a Windy City or any city full of smokes, gutters, rainy days, and whatnot, the Travis McGee series is a good choice. 

I'm willing to bestow it 10 stars. Just because.

Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen

Finally I met another book that makes me hooked.
It's been a long time since I read a book almost non-stop. It's even been longer since I found a book that makes me wants to re-read it immediately after I finished it.
I found this gem hidden among old tattered books at the book sale at Gramedia. I was curious because one of my group reading choices is another book by the same author titled Bad Monkey. I haven't read Bad Monkey at the time I purchased Skinny Dip - I just started it now because I like Skinny Dip so much. I had some reservations before purchased it (never read any works by this author, can spend the money on other things), but all those reservations gone BAM after I read this sentence:

I married an asshole, she thought, knifing headfirst into the waves.

Those words are enough. I was owned immediately and brought this book to the cashier and paid it without hesitation.

And boy, it's worth every rupiahs I spent. Absolutely no regret. My thanks to the original owner who was willing to depart with this precious book so someone else can enjoy this refreshing reading.

The book is fast-paced and exciting. The author manages to tell us, his readers, about big bad environmental problem without using too much technical lingo. Neither does he make us yawn. Bravo. He successfully keep the issue from being lost along the storytelling, because the issue itself is an important part of the story. So it keeps echoing from the first time it was mentioned until the ending.

The characters feel original for me. I rarely sympathize with female character who is rich, smart, beautiful, getting true love, and likes to shopping branded things, but this is one of the rare moment. I don't know why, but I find Joey Perrone is extremely likable. All the protagonists are likable.

The antagonists themselves have some qualities that make them less fearsome and disgusting. They are admittedly not likable. But they are laughable. Especially Chaz Perrone. Gosh. This is the first time I see a man as shallow as he is and a biologist that hates nature as he does. A biologist that litters, runs over snakes with his expensive Hummer, and hates nature? LOL. He is everything that every biologists (or soon-to-be) I know are not.

I highly recommend this book for anyone feeling that he/she can use a good laugh and biologists (or biologists-to-be) so they can be more dedicated to their work, using Chaz Perrone as reflection of WHO YOU SHOULD NOT BECOME.

Perfect ten stars.

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

Judul : American Gods (Dewa-Dewa Amerika)

Penulis : Neil Gaiman

Penerbit : Gramedia Pustaka Utama

Genre : Retelling mitologi, fantasi

Tebal : 784 halaman

Format : softcover

Badai akan datang...

Menjalani masa hukuman tiga tahun di penjara, Shadow melalui hari-harinya dengan tenang, menunggu dengan sabar hari ketika dia bisa kembali ke Eagle Point, Indiana. Pria yang tidak lagi takut akan yang mungkin terjadi esok, yang dia inginkan hanyalah kembali bersama dengan Laura, istri yang sangat dia cintai, dan memulai kehidupan baru.

Tetapi beberapa hari sebelum dia dibebaskan, Laura dan sahabat Shadow tewas dalam kecelakaan mobil. Hidupnya berantakan dan kehilangan arah, Shadow memutuskan untuk menerima pekerjaan dari orang asing yang memesona yang Shadow temui dalam perjalanan pulang. Pria misterius itu menamakan dirinya Mr. Wednesday, yang sepertinya lebih memahami Shadow daripada dirinya sendiri.

Kehidupan sebagai pelindung, sopir, dan pesuruh Wednesday ternyata lebih menarik dan berbahaya daripada yang dibayangkan Shadow––pekerjaan ini membawanya melalui perjalanan gelap dan aneh dan memperkenalkannya kepada karakter-karakter eksentrik dengan takdir yang bertautan dengan takdir Shadow sendiri. Shadow belajar bahwa masa lalu tidak pernah mati; bahwa semua orang, termasuk Laura yang dia cintai, menyimpan rahasia; dan bahwa mimpi, totem, legenda, dan mitos sebenarnya lebih nyata daripada yang kita ketahui. Puncaknya, dia akan menemukan di balik permukaan tenang kehidupan sehari-hari, ada badai datang––dan peperangan epik untuk jiwa Amerika––dan dia berdiri di tengah-tengah semua itu.

Waktu saya menulis resensi ini rasanya terharu banget, entah kenapa. Buku ini berharga banget buat saya, mungkin bisa dibilang sakral? Mungkin terasa berlebihan pernyataan saya tadi, tetapi itulah yang benar-benar saya rasakan. 

Buku ini merupakan buku keempat karangan Neil Gaiman yang saya baca. Saya tertarik beli buku ini karena penulisnya Neil Gaiman. Neil Gaiman! 

Di awal buku ini diceritakan seorang tahanan bernama Shadow Moon sedang menghitung hari pembebasannya dari penjara. Tiba-tiba pembebasannya dipercepat. Sayang, impiannya bertemu dengan istrinya Laura dan kembali bekerja dengan sahabatnya Robbie buyar, karena mereka berdua tewas dalam kecelakaan mobil bertepatan sebelum Shadow dibebaskan.

Shadow boleh dibilang kehilangan arah, tapi ia tidak menjadi panik. Di tengah ketidakpastian itu, dalam perjalanan naik pesawat ke pemakaman Laura, dia didekati oleh pria tua misterius yang menyebut dirinya Mr. Wednesday. Mr. Wednesday menawari Shadow pekerjaan sebagai pengawalnya. Awalnya Shadow menolak. Namun, pada akhirnya, ia menerima tawaran itu. Saat inilah dia pertama kalinya bertemu dengan Mad Sweeney.

Setelahnya, Shadow mengetahui kenyataan pahit tentang apa yang sebenarnya terjadi saat Laura dan Robbie kecelakaan - dalam kondisi apa mereka tewas. Tetapi, Shadow menerimanya dengan cukup kalem. Baru saja dia bisa menerima dan pergi bersama Wednesday ke kota lain, kejutan baru menemuinya. Istrinya, Laura, telah menjadi mayat hidup, mayat berjalan. Tapi tidak ganas seperti zombie - Laura punya pikiran yang jernih, emosi, dan standar moral. Laura berjanji akan menjaga Shadow.

Dari tempat itu, Shadow dan Wednesday bertolak ke tempat-tempat lain - kadang Shadow sendirian, kadang bersama Wednesday - dan menemui banyak karakter lain, yang dari namanya kita sudah tahu bahwa mereka dewa-dewi. Contohnya Czernobog, yang menantang Shadow main dam; tiga Zorya; Ibis dan Anubis; Easter; Mr. Nancy; Mama-ji; dan banyak lagi . Di samping mereka, ada juga karakter yang bagai dewa yang mewakili teknologi modern. Dewa lama dan dewa baru - mereka bermusuhan.

Shadow pun terjebak dalam perang itu - yang pertandanya terasa, bagai badai besar yang akan datang. Dalam situasi ini, mimpi-mimpinya sering dikunjungi makhluk berkepala sapi yang memberinya petunjuk-petunjuk. Konflik antara dewa lama dan baru semakin memburuk, berpuncak pada pembunuhan Wednesday. Sesuai janjinya, Shadow melakukan upacara kematian untuk Wednesday. Setelah inilah kebenaran tentang apa yang terjadi terkuak...

Tetapi rangkuman di atas hanya kasaran dan hanya menggambarkan alur utama saja. Banyak sub-plot di dalam novel ini, dan ada bab-bab yang terasa benar-benar tidak nyambung dengan isi buku keseluruhan. Walaupun isi bab-bab itu menarik, terasa seperti cuma selipan.

Secara keseluruhan Neil Gaiman melakukan retelling yang saya sukai. Ooooh, pada akhirnya ada juga buku retelling mitologi yang tidak menjadikan dewa Yunani dan Mesir sebagai tokoh utama! Gaiman mengangkat dewa-dewa dari mitologi yang jarang disorot, yakni mitologi Celtic dan Slavic, bahkan Indian. Ada mitologi India juga, India yang di Asia ya. Asyik. Rasanya puas sekali.

Saya juga menyukai konsepnya tentang dewa-dewi. Itu konsep yang workable. Saya suka buku ini, jauh lebih suka American Gods daripada seri Nicholas Flamel.

Terus endingnya, pengungkapan solusinya, bener-bener top. Kenapa? Karena benar-benar mengejutkan, tidak disangka-sangka. Rasanya seperti dipukul saat kamu lagi tidak menyangka sama sekali. Neil Gaiman juga pintar menyelipkan petunjuk-petunjuk tentang jati diri sebenarnya suatu karakter, baik lewat nama maupun lewat dialog karakter. Contohnya Mr. Wednesday. Jati dirinya sebagai Odin ditunjukkan lewat namanya (Wednesday -> Woden's Day -> Odin's Day), matanya yang palsu sebelah, tongkat yang dibawanya, dan dialognya.

Tapi novel ini kompleks (walaupun rasanya lebih simple dari Deathless, pada akhirnya, saya gadis yang berpikiran sederhana saja).

Buku ini bener-bener memuaskan saya. Ketebalan dan kekompleksan isinya membuat buku ini tidak cepat habis. Ceritanya yang membangkitkan rasa ingin tahu dan perasaan 'mau dibawa ke mana kita setelah ini' membuat saya berhasil membaca buku ini tanpa skipping.

Rasanya saya sudah bingung mau menulis apa lagi, saya rasa cukup saja. Buku ini rasanya sempurna. Sepuluh bintang buat Neil Gaiman, dan saya akan selalu menunggu adikarya berikutnya dari beliau. 

Kutipan favorit? Entah kenapa, kutipan ini.

"Setelah ini semua selesai, kurasa aku akan menajamkan sebatang mistletoe lalu pergi ke pohon ash itu, dan menghunjamkannya ke matanya. Itu yang tidak bisa dipahami semua orang tolol di luar sana yang sedang berperang. Ini semua hanya perkara pola." - Mr. World

Toast! This is mead, by the way

Sumber:

gambar mead : http://beerobsessed.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/mead_glass02.jpg

gambar sampul dan sinopsis : gramediapustakautama.com

Deathless Review, Summary, All Mixed

Untuk yang ini, summary-nya mengandung spoiler. Beware!

Judul                     : Deathless

Penulis                  : Catherynne M. Valente

Bahasa                  : Inggris

Latar belakang       : Rusia pascarevolusi, sekitar tahun 1942, Lenin baru wafat dan Stalin

                              baru naik

Jenis cerita           : reimaginasi cerita dongeng, dalam hal ini dongeng mengenai Koschei yang Abadi (Koschei the Deathless/ Koschei the Immortal)

Tokoh                   : menurut saya hanya ada dua tokoh utama yaitu Marya Morevna dan 

                              Koschei Bessmertny