True Detectives

Burning through one season of a series is something I rarely do lately but I fell back into this old, bad habit I guess. It is regrettable. 

During the intake of my old drug of choice, I found a really awesome, dark, and disturbing crime series, called True Detective. It has been recommended by some clamouring fans, but the decision to watch it just came recently. And how I do not regret it!

It opens with a very striking image of a very pagan corpse. Red hair, pale skin, and antlers. It gave me shivers and creeps and I felt a mixture of awe and fear every time my mind conjured that image. She felt so ancient, powerful, earthy - yet vulnerable and impotent in her immobility and death.

You should not watch this before any interview or social event. It makes you... gloomy. Dizzy. Feverish. Well, lesson learned for me at least.

Yea

It tells us about a seemingly occult case in Louisiana. A pair of detectives, Marty Hart and Rustin Cohle were tasked to solve it. They stumbled onto many obstacles during and after the solving of the case. And it does not help that both of those men apparently did not show any interest to learn about each other. They finally did, as time went by, but it is more like the details revealed themselves because situation called, not because each actively tried to learn about each other.

Rustin clicked more with Maggie, Marty's wife, than Marty did with him. Marty's jealousy further made the situation uncomfortable. Rustin held himself aloof - because he's an unhappy man. It is understandable. Matthew McConaughey gives a very admirable performance as Rustin Cohle. He successfully portrays him as an unhappy man who has conscience, deeply philosophic, self-check every time, and seeks redemption. His life is a long balancing act. He struggles, always, always. I find that I sympathise strongly with him - heck, I might even have fallen in love a bit with him. Were I to meet him I will give him my bear hug - all the strength and warmth I can give, I will give to him, for he has a very heavy cross to bear.

I find I dislike Marty Hart so much. He is a damned hypocrite, misogynist, and chronic adulterer. He had committed awful deeds - one of them won the prize - yet he can still sleep like a baby at nights. I am not too surprised at the direction the story went after the occult-murder case of Dora Lange was solved.

The thing is, to tell you the truth, I am pissed. It is a sin committed by two - why should only one of them bear the cross? Only one of them felt really guilty. The other seemed to have no conscience at all. It embittered me so much. And when Rustin committed a mistake - a mistake which was a result from domino effect from Marty's own fault - it was Marty who hit him not the other way around! 

What an egoistic prick!

True Detective is highly recommended for you who enjoy weird cases, heavy, dark psychological crime drama. I used to think it is impossible to build an entertaining full season based just one unsolved case - but turns out it is possible. ナイス。
The ending showed a disturbing and nauseous sex scene. Okay. Now I remember it again. I need to bleach my eyes. Eurrrghhhh. 
I am looking forward to season two. Because this is an anthology-style series, we will meet a different detective duo.They say it'll have Rachel McAdams in it and I CANNOT SIMPLY WAIT IN SILENCE. 

このTV series はとても凄い。ちょっと暗くって、みんなさん見て下さい！

じゃ、次の書き込みであう！ 

Sources:
http://media.giphy.com/media/lsQimiMkjsIPC/giphy.gif
http://cdn1.relevantmediagroup.com/sites/default/files/field/thumbnail/True-Detective-103.jpg
http://i.lv3.hbo.com/assets/images/series/true-detective/character/1/martin-hart-1024.jpg 

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.

In Memoriam Sir Terry Pratchett

So, the generations that have been touched by Discworld are in mourning now.
A news about one of the most prolific fantasy writer's death just broke.
Farewell, Sir Terry Pratchett.

You have shown an admirable tenacity and - may I say - stubbornness by keep producing brilliant works in spite of your Alzheimer disease. I've just read some of your books. They are amazing. Touching. They have a big role in forming my character and lifting my spirit when I was down... So many advice hidden in your books. 

I like the cranky Granny Weatherwax. She is one of my personal heroines. I remember her moments of strength and weaknesses all too well. When she persisted in fighting against the Fairy Queen... When she was feeling too weak... When she was training the young witch from Chalk... And so many, so many episodes that leave a strong impression for a young girl.

My favourite Esme Weatherwax quote is

"There's no grays, only white that's got grubby. I'm surprised you don't know that. And sin, young man, is when you treat people like things. Including yourself. That's what sin is." - Carpe Jugulum

And I am also a big fan of Adora Belle Dearheart. Don't let this sweet-sounding name fool you. 

She is dangerous enough.

She is a brave woman that can hold herself up.She is not afraid of investigating her brother's death teaming with a well-known con-man and succeeded in not getting fleeced or any. Kudos for Adora. And she steadily gets more position. Head of a clanks company, activist of gargoyle rights... you name it. 

I find myself enjoy books that have Tiffany Aching quite immensely. As an aspiring young witch, she is willing to work hard. I was a bit disappointed when she didn't end up with the baron's son, but in the end she gets a better bargain, in my opinion. 

And reading books about Death is never boring. From the stern, completely inhuman and incapable of sympathy and empathy (first Rincewind books), he is slowly transformed to someone who is willing to find an apprentice (Mort), a father, and a grandfather. He is shown to be a character who tries to understand humanity but is unable to fully grasp it. From his house which is just plain wrong ("It's bigger inside than the outside."), the color scheme (B&W), to the appliances and accessories in the house (the soap that doesn't bubble, doorknobs that don't work). He has a cute side though - whoever had heard of Death who rides a  white, shining stallion named Binky??? Binky. His vulnerable side is also shown in Reaper Man. He is often used as a vessel to tell important messages in books. The thing is... he is a compassionate psychopomp. When I meet my end, I would like him to be my psychopomp or my psychopomp to be like him, either way is fine. 

I adore Sam Vimes as well. He has ghosts and vices, and he is in constant struggle to live a balanced life and being a good man. In some ways, I can identify him as me. 

I cannot say any good things about Rincewind, though. Sorry, Sir Terry. Amongst your creations, he is the only one I cannot abide AT ALL.

Your books have helped forming me into today's me. I cannot say that today's me is a fine, fine creature, but I think today's me will be a worse creature without those books. And it helps my English a lot as well. Looking forward for another Discworld book, or actually, any new book by you, has been another motivation for me to rise everyday and do my stuff.

I think, it is time to end this narrative. I am running out of narrativium already.

Farewell again, Sir Terry Pratchett. Goodbye.

I hope if you get any psychopomp, then it is the one whom you have told us about in your books. I shall miss your works dearly. But as I have said, in memoriam. You shall be in my memory, ever. That, I can promise.

Image sources:

• pinterest
• tumblr 

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.

Double Indemnity

Lately, I am hooked to noir and hardboiled. I love noirs... especially the ones set in the 1920's. They are from different era when guys called women 'dame'. They are awesome. They sweep me away.This book is touted as one monumental noir novel, and its author (James M. Cain) as a highly influential person to noir development. I made a resolution to read this book when the right moment come. It came around two days ago. I devoured it instantly. I enjoy it thoroughly.The narration is done by an insurance agent who has a funny name, Walter Huff. Mr. Huff as a nickname is pretty funny, it sounds like sound that you make when you puff. The narration is fast-paced and built with the signature diction of noir. It is gritty. It is dark and self-examining.So, what is double indemnity? 

dou·ble in·dem·ni·ty

noun

NORTH AMERICAN

1. provision for payment of double the face amount of an insurance policy under certain conditions, e.g., when death occurs as a result of an accident.
2. 
   
3. This term is very relevant in this book, in fact, it's one of the main characters motive, beside lust. In the beginning, we are introduced to an insurance salesman doing his usual routine. Walter Huff tried to sell a policy renewal to his client, a Mr. Nirdlinger. However, he wasn't home when Walter paid him a visit. Walter seemed like an OK guy, a regular joe. But then he met a woman that will change his life and dirty his hands, Phyllis Nirdlinger. This is the exact moment when his moral is tested. And he failed the test. This moment makes me wondering. If you know that someone plan a homicide, why don't you prevent it? Are lust and money so big a temptation? I mean, Walter's life is plain, but it isn't dull. He can assess people well - it's one of his asset - and he enjoys selling insurance policies, which are exciting for him. He is good. It's a respectable life, he isn't a beggar. Is it possible to want someone so much after your first meeting that you decide to risk everything you have? When I read this book further, I feel that the two characters who conspire to take another human being life are so disconnected and distant. I mean, well... taking someone's life is a huge sin, morally and religiously. It will need a huge temptation to do the aforementioned act. But I didn't sense that Walter is tempted enough. It feels so insignificant compared with other things that he had already had.
4. 
   
5. Then Phyllis. She is first shown as a woman with a plan, then a willing accomplice in adultery and marricide, then later we learn that she is really crazy. The crazy talk she said at the beginning? Totally not an act. She is also more... ahem, experienced than Walter. Let's say that poor Walter should have done a more complete background check about his soon-to-be partner in crime. I dislike her depiction as a crazy woman, because it feels incongruous with her former acts. They were coldly and logically calculated.
7. The biggest irony in this book is when Walter tried to be a teacher in Murder 101, the pupil was more experienced. And Phyllis fared better when her acts were one-woman-acts. When a new partner was introduced, it was proven to be a big, fatal failure. A real pity, Phyllis.
8. 
   
9. 

And Walter? WRONGEST DECISION EVER, dearie.

See?

There are several memorable quotes in this book. I'll give you two.

I had killed a man, for money and a woman. I didn't have the money and I didn't have the woman. 

That's all it takes, one drop of fear, to curdle love into hate.

Kitab tentang Yang Telah Hilang oleh John Connolly

Aslinya berjudul The Book of Lost Things, seperti yang bisa dilihat pada gambar sampul di samping.
Buku ini sudah lama terbitnya sih, dan saya juga bacanya sudah lama. Tapi buku ini meninggalkan kesan yang sangat dalam buat saya. 
Awalnya, saya membeli buku ini karena tertarik pada retelling cerita dongeng. Saya lemah banget pada iming-iming 'retelling cerita dongeng'. Buku ini terbukti memuaskan. Beberapa cerita dongeng yang di-retelling dan turut membentuk alur cerita buku ini adalah dongeng Rumpelstiltskin dan Si Jubah Merah (Little Red Riding Hood). Keduanya diceritakan ulang menjadi sangat gelap dan kelam. Atmosfir buku ini memang gelap dan kelam, bahkan sejak awal.
Buku ini diawali dengan peristiwa kehilangan yang besar. Kehilangan istri dan kehilangan ibu. Wanita yang meninggal adalah ibu dari David, protagonis utama kita. David adalah anak laki-laki yang biasa-biasa saja, introvert. Hubungannya dengan ayahnya semenjak kematian ibunya cukup dekat, walaupun David selalu merindukan ibunya.
Sampai ayahnya bertemu Rose dan menjalin hubungan dengan Rose.
Ayah David dan Rose lalu menikah (MBA, by the way) dan pindah ke rumah Rose. Beberapa bulan setelahnya Rose melahirkan bayi laki-laki, Georgie. Georgie bukan bayi yang mudah diberi simpati. Dia rewel, dan penyakitan. Hal ini membuat perhatian ayah David dan Rose terpusat pada Georgie. David semakin menarik diri dari dunia dan menenggelamkan diri dalam buku-buku dongeng yang bertulisan nama 'Jonathan'. Buku-buku yang berbisik kepadanya. Di samping itu, semenjak pindah ke rumah baru dan tenggelam dalam dunia buku David sering pingsan dan mengalami khayalan yang seolah nyata. Tetapi ayahnya hanya menganggap David kena ayan.
Relasi David dengan Rose sendiri tidak pernah baik. David tidak suka pada Rose yang dianggap tidak layak menggantikan ibunya. Rose sendiri berusaha mengambil hati David, tapi selalu gagal, walaupun ada satu saat langka ketika keduanya bicara dengan baik-baik. Dalam percakapan ini, David mendapat pengetahuan baru tentang Jonathan.
Keadaan semakin diperparah dengan kedatangan si bayi baru. Rose yang kelelahan semakin sulit mengontrol emosinya dan pada suatu ketika, amarahnya pada David meledak. David, yang sudah menanggung banyak beban baru (kehilangan perhatian, penyakit aneh) juga meledak dan lari ke reruntuhan dekat rumah. Dan pada saat bersamaan, pesawat tempur Jerman jatuh di dekat reruntuhan itu.
David pingsan. Dan ia bangun di dunia yang asing dan baru baginya... Dunia yang mengerikan. Di mana cerita dongeng menjadi nyata. Sayangnya, bukan dongeng yang indah.
Apalagi yang selanjutnya terjadi pada David? Well, seperti para ksatria dalam dongeng, David diuji. Luluskah David dari semua ujian yang ia alami? 
... untuk itu, baca sendiri bukunya untuk menemukan jawabannya :)
Beberapa dongeng yang di-retelling selain dua dongeng di atas:

• Childe Roland
• Sleeping Beauty
• Hansel dan Gretel
• Snow White

Itu saja yang saya ingat. Selebihnya, saya tidak mengenali dongeng yang di-retelling. Dongeng hasil retelling benar-benar sangat berbeda dengan dongeng aslinya. Lebih dewasa dan lebih gelap, dengan pesan moral yang juga lain sekali dengan pesan moral yang tersirat dalam dongeng originalnya. 

Aftertaste yang saya rasakan setelah membaca buku ini adalah perasaan hangat bercampur kesedihan. Perasaan hangat karena ternyata masih ada hal yang indah dan baik setelah melewati segala hal yang mengerikan itu. Kesedihan karena ternyata orang baik tidak selalu mendapat upah yang sesuai dengan perbuatannya di dunia - entah bagaimana dengan upah di akhirat. 

Cocok sekali untuk penyuka cerita fantasi maupun retelling fantasi.

Good job, Mr. Connolly! Sayangnya saya malah belum membaca satu buku pun dalam seri supernatural-kriminal Anda. Kalau boleh menyimpang, banner website Anda sangat saya sukai. Archangel Michael, sedang mengalahkan setan :)

The Summer of the Ubume

I first knew this book's existence by browsing my 'Recommendations' in Goodreads. Here is the short summary from amazon.com:

In Japanese folklore, a ghost that arise from the burial of a pregnant woman is an Ubume. 
The Summer of Ubume is the first of Japan's hugely popular Kyogokudo series, which has 9 titles and 4 spinoffs thus far. 
Akihiko "Kyogokudo" Chuzenji, the title's hero, is an exorcist with a twist: he doesn't believe in ghosts. To circumnavigate his clients' inability to come to grips with a problem being their own, he creates fake supernatural explanations--ghosts--that he the "exorcises" by way of staged rituals. His patients' belief that he has vanquished the ghost creating their problems cures them.
In this first adventure, Kyogokudo, must unravel the mystery of a woman who has been pregnant for 20 months and find her husband, who disappeared two months into the pregnancy. And unravel he does, in the book's final disturbing scene.

Whoa. Let me list the things that hooked me immediately. 20 months pregnancy? Check. An exorcist who doesn't believe in ghost? Check. What kind of exorcist has no belief of the existence of the very thing he meant to exorcise? A seemingly supernatural case with logical explanation? Check. A ghost that I hear for the first time? Check.

And this is what I felt after finishing it.

This book is completely scary. It covers both fields of fear - the irrational (ghosts) and the rational (all the psychological twists and dramas). 
The book starts with lines that commonly found in mystery books - lines that spoken by someone we don't know. Sometimes we dismiss it, but later in the story those lines are found to be important. Such lines.
The story starts innocently enough. A poor journalist, Sekiguchi, visited his friend, Chuzenji 'Kyogokudo' Akihiko who was an owner of a used-books store in order to share a controversial story.
However, it was soon revealed that one of the person involved in the story was none other than their high school friend, Makio. After knowing that fact, Sekiguchi decided to further investigate the story. In doing it, he asked for help from his friend who was a private investigator, Enokizu and Kyogokudo's sister, Atsuko. By a strange twist of fate, Enokizu got a new client who was another key player in the weird story, Kuonji Kyoko, the sister-in-law of Makio.
And this is where the book begins to ride the crazy train.
The narrator - Sekiguchi - became more and more unstable along the story. I really want to shake him real hard or give him a good slap. CAN'T YOU BE A LITTLE BIT SANE, PLEASE. And grow some backbone. Buck up, man! At some point, I wonder which ones are crazy/ unusual. Is it Kyogokudo and Enokizu? Or is it Sekiguchi? I think it's the latter.
There was a long lecture about the nature of memory, brain, consciousness, subconscious, ubume, and quantum theory which I found to be a little bit tedious but interesting enough. Because I've watched Moryo no Hako before, those seemingly-out-of-topic lectures didn't bother me too much. I skimmed through some parts of them though - sorry, author. They were appropriate additions to the book.
The solution was a bit unbelievable. I can't imagine how a pair of eyes can thoroughly fooled their owner by unseeing something that was clearly there. I can understand if it just happened to one person. But three? And one of them didn't have any ties with the other two? Erm. I'm having a hard time to imagine, let alone believe, that such thing can happen.
This is a very noir book. It leaves a taste that needs to be cleaned fast, without delay. I don't recommend you to read another heavy or dark book after reading The Summer of the Ubume.
Nine stars. Deducting one for the solution.

The Habitation of the Blessed

Title:  The Habitation of the Blessed
Series/ standalone?: first book in A Dirge for Preter John series
Author: Catherynne M. Valente

WARNING: This review is heavily-ridden with spoilers. Beware!

I just finished reading A Dirge for Prester John: The Habitation of the Blessed. This is the first book in the (plotted) trilogy of A Dirge for Prester John.

Who is Prester John? His detailed enough description can be read in the Wikipedia entry about him.

My expectation before reading this book had been high, because the authoress is none other than Catherynne M. Valente herself. I’ve been enchanted by her adaptation of Russian folk tales, Deathless. So I expected to be captivated by The Habitation of the Blessed. Moreover, I am intrigued by the blurb which said, among other things ...’Hagia, the blemmye wife of Prester John...’ and ‘... the mythical land of Pentexore with its strange creatures...” I Googled blemmye immediately, found its description, and thought that maybe Valente doesn’t stick with that description. How wrong am I. 

But. My reading experience has been terrible. Oh, oh my. I feel very disturbed and repulsed and disgusted upon reading this book, from shortly after the beginning until its very end. By the part that makes me feel very queasy, I read it with skimming method. Well, I guess this book is not for everyone. 

Catherynne M. Valente as usual tells the story with beautiful prose that constructed by carefully chosen beautiful words. The narrative style is books within a book; storyteller that tells stories that have been read and hurriedly transcribed by another storyteller and has been told and written by at least three different storytellers.  

When did I start to feel queasy? At the beginning, when John was tried in his sailing on a vast sea of sand and forced to eat fish. Raw. With its internal organs - while their shape and constructing substance are different from those of the fish in our world - removed hurriedly and shabbily. Well, that can be expected from a man that had been threatened with death from famine and reduced to eat his robe. But still. Yuck.

When did I start to feel very queasy? When John had an intercourse.
With a crane. Crane, as in one specific specie of the Aves class, Grus antigone antigone. This makes me nauseous and disturbed. Why? Well, John was a priest who had taken a vow of celibacy. His breaking of the vow disgusted me. That feeling was exacerbated by the fact that he had broken it with a bird. With a frigging freaking bird. Please! The scene when the pygmies rutted with the cranes also disgusts me. 

Also I am repulsed by the fact that he, Prester John, married a blemmye, Hagia. And impregnated her. Eugh. Interspecies sex, as in between human and vampire or werewolf whatsoever doesn’t disturb me as long those who involved assumes same shapes. A man/ woman have sex with some entity that assumes the appearance of a beast - or a decapitated human, in blemmye case - doesn’t stand well with me. That’s why I felt disturbed when reading the stories in Greek mythology when Zeus seduced Leda in form of swan, or wooed Io in form of a beautiful white bull, and when Pasiphae attracted to a bull, their liaisons resulted in birth of monstrous half-man, half-bull of the Crete labyrinth, Minotaur. Maybe the interspecies sex in this book is an allegory to interracial marriage - which I don't mind nor oppose - but it just failed to depict that.

I am also unable to symphatise with the protagonist, Prester John. Well, maybe his character is typical of the missionaries in that age. He was thankless to those who had helped him, he was a man with holier-than-thou attitude, yet he was easily trapped in sin of adultery. I found it easier to symphatise with Hagia. 

The thing that horrifies me is although John saw his act of bringing Christianity as a good one - similar to one bringing a brightly burning candle to a dark land - it is actually a destructive action. It is more similar to the act of the Serpent tempted Eve to eat the forbidden fruit of knowledge and give it to Adam. Pentexore and its creatures had established a working system long before John, and Didymus Thomas (yes, he was there too, and also Alexander the Great), came. Each of them worshipped different gods and had different beliefs, yet it didn’t cause any friction amongst them. They didn’t have concept of sin, they lived harmoniously. With Christianity that John brought and tried to spread, they now knew the concept of sin. In Pentexore before Christianity, there was only a lamia with her natural instincts and urges. After Christianity, there was a whore lamia. That’s what Christianity did to Pentexore. It erased its carefree life, its innocence. 

And the thing that just makes me hate him even more? His cheating in Abir. The reason, said by the cheater himself, was to be the perfect entity, a king-priest, just like Christ. But, if that is the real intention, why did he pray so his queen will be Hagia? Heh. I believe that his motivation for cheating is not purely the king-priest perfection, but just a lesser, worldlier one – he wanted to rule, with a female he desired so, the blemmye Hagia.

One more thing that disappoints me is the way Valente describes Pentexore. She gave a map to give us a picture of Pentexore location, and that’s good and appreciated. But, I also want the map of the internal parts of Pentexore. I want the map that show where the Sea of Sand starts in the world we've known and ends in Pentexore, I want to see where we can reach it and its border with our world. Her description of the creatures is too general. She even doesn’t explain some creatures appearances, such as meta-collinara. I know that in the ‘original’ letter of Prester John those creatures’ names are mentioned, but when you read this book, you tend to forget what cametenna, tensevetes, etc. look like because there are so many strange creatures with names no less exotic than themselves. She also made some allusions and cameos (Alexander the Great with his gate and Apostle Thomas a.k.a. Didymus Thomas), but they are not deeply explored and felt like decoration only.

I can’t give it a high rate. Ten is the perfect score, and I will deduce some for each aspect that I loathe. Eating raw fish with its internal organs glistening? Eeuw. Minus one. A protagonist with attitude so bad I barely can stand him? Deduce one. A type of sex that repulsed me? Minus one again. The insufficient description of the creatures and Pentexore landscape (they should be more detailed, I think), minus one. So the end score is six.

I recommend this book for Valente’s hardcore fans. The Goodreads reviewers rated it 5 stars, and most of them are fans of Valente’s. One reviewer compared this book with In the Night Garden by the same authoress, so if you’re the fan of In the Night Garden, maybe this book will suit you. 

And finally, the picture.

A blemmye

Sources:

• amazon.fr
• en.wikipedia.org

Fifty Shades of Grey

Judul : Fifty Shades of Grey
Penulis : E. L James
Tebal : 528 halaman
Penerbit : Vintage
Genre : Erotika, Twilight Saga spin-off

Oke. Kenapa saya penasaran membaca novel ini? Karena waktu ke Times Bookstore, buku ini dipajang dengan menonjol, para blogger di internet heboh membicarakan buku ini, dan sarkasme di 9gag bahwa buku ini merupakan "mom porn", porno tante-tante.


Dan waktu saya mencoba baca... Ternyata...
Buku ini parah banget. Benar-benar tidak sesuai dengan selera saya. Buku ini juga adalah salah satu buku yang sukses membuat saya merasa JIJIK. Jujur saja, saya sudah beberapa kali membaca buku dengan adegan dewasa di dalamnya, dan hanya sedikit yang membuat saya jijik, tapi buku ini... Bikin saya menyesal membacanya (walaupun saya hanya membaca sedikit saja - meloncat-loncat, tidak seluruhnya).

Begini sinopsis singkatnya (dicomot dari Amazon.com)
When literature student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms.
 
Shocked yet thrilled by Grey’s singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success—his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving family—Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian Grey’s secrets and explores her own dark desires.

Erotic, amusing, and deeply moving, the Fifty Shades Trilogy is a tale that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever.

Apa yang membuat saya tidak suka. Pertama. Christian Grey itu pemilik perusahaan-perusahaan besar, demi Tuhan. Anastasia Steele hanya gadis biasa. Grey pasti sudah bertemu gadis-gadis macam itu sebelumnya, tanpa kemudian tertarik kepada mereka. Tapi dengan Ana? Oh woooow, pada pertemuan pertama saja Grey sudah memperlakukannya dengan baik, memperhatikannya. Perlakuan laki-laki itu pada gadis yang baru ditemuinya pertama kali, diajak bicara basa-basi saja, lebih baik daripada perlakuannya terhadap pegawainya yang sudah bekerja bertahun-tahun kepadanya. Yikes.

Kedua. Ana sangat tidak mandiri secara emosional, paling tidak setelah bertemu Christian. Demi Tuhan, dia itu bukan anak SMA seperti Bella Swan (yang menginspirasi tokohnya). Setelah bertemu Christian, apa yang dia pikir cuma bagaimana agar perilakunya menyenangkan Christian - seenggaknya itu yang saya tangkap setelah membaca setengah buku! 

Ketiga. Seks dominansi - fetish Christian Grey. Rasanya sulit dipercaya seorang pemilik perusahaan multinasional punya isu soal dominansi. Dan apa dia tidak merasa rendah dengan memilih partner seperti Ana? Ana, yang polos, tidak tahu apa-apa, belum berpengalaman? Apa Grey tidak pikir dua kali sebelum menodai otak Ana dengan hal-hal seperti itu? Dia seperti predator seksual.

Keempat, masih berkaitan dengan alasan ketiga - dan hal yang paling membuat saya jijik - Grey mengikat Ana sebagai partnernya dengan kontrak tertulis. Kontrak tertulis. Di bagian ini, saya mulai berpikir apa yang terlintas di benak E. L. James saat menulis buku ini, apakah dia tidak malu tulisannya yang seperti ini dibaca banyak orang (dan membuat orang berpikir "Oh, dia E. L. James yang menulis trilogi itu" tiap kali melihatnya). Ooooh tapi bagian paling mengerikan buat saya bukan kontrak tertulis itu. Bagian paling mengerikannya adalah Ana setuju. Tuhan. Apakah wanita itu sudah tidak punya harga diri lagi? Kalau ada yang memandang kesetujuan Ana sebagai cinta, ada yang salah dengan orang itu. Itu bukan cinta. Itu kelihatan seperti permulaan hubungan yang abusif.

Cukup dulu daftar alasan mengapa saya tidak suka buku ini - atau bisa dibilang daftar hal-hal mengerikan dan tidak wajar dalam buku ini. Intinya, saya tidak suka hal-hal tak logis di buku ini dan pembangun utamanya. Bagaimana kamu bisa menyukai suatu buku jika kamu sudah membenci tema dan pembangun utamanya? 

Saya tidak akan memberi rating untuk buku ini. Euuuh. Untungnya saya mencoba membaca buku ini sebelum saya membaca Seraphina, sehingga otak saya rasanya sudah didetoks. 

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

Judul : Seraphina
Penulis : Rachel Hartman
Tebal : 480 halaman
Penerbit : Random House
Genre : Fantasi
Seri atau standalone? : Seri, please Tuhan, jadikan ini seri


Akhirnya! Setelah sekian lama, saya menemukan lagi buku fantasi yang bermutu. Bukan sembarang buku fantasi pula, tapi buku fantasi yang menampilkan naga. Bukan fantasi werewolf, vampir, fallen angel ataupun fae alur ceritanya lama-lama pasaran, sama saja. Dan senang sekali akhirnya menemukan buku yang karakternya berpikiran sehat, bukan terlibat cinta cengeng-cengengan. Oooooh, finally. Buku medieval, mengandung naga, dan bagus.

Buku ini keren banget. Blurb-nya saja dari Christopher Paolini. Boleh dibilang, buku ini cocok buat penyuka Inheritance Cycle, walaupun pendekatannya kepada mitos naga cukup berbeda. Tapi ada kemiripannya : di dua seri itu, naga hidup berdampingan dengan manusia; sederajat, namun kadang-kadang ada kesalahpahaman di antara dua ras yang berbeda ini. Bedanya, di Inheritance Cycle naga tetap berwujud naga, sedangkan di Seraphina naga dapat mewujud menjadi manusia - wujud yang disebut saarantras. Dan di sini, naga adalah makhluk yang memiliki kecerdasan superior.

Karakter utama dalam buku ini bernama Seraphina Dombegh - saya tidak suka nama belakangnya :(
Dia karakter yang kontroversial sejak lahir karena dia campuran naga-manusia - hal yang terlarang - dan pada saat pembaptisannya dia 'memilih' santa pelindung yang terkenal sebagai santa bidaah. Saat dia tumbuh menjadi gadis dewasa, dia menjadi gadis yang sangat berbakat dalam musik, percaya diri, pandai, tapi dia tidak sombong karena kelebihannya itu. Dia judes dan diam-diam mengasihani diri sendiri (tapi dalam takaran yang normal serta alasan yang jelas dan dapat diterima). Seraphina Dombegh adalah protagonis yang mudah disenangi.

Karakter-karakter lainnya juga digambarkan dengan baik. Menurut saya, penokohan sudah cukup hidup, penulis cukup mendalami sifat-sifat mereka.

Penggambaran latar belakang juga sudah oke. Latar belakang dapat dipercaya dan sejalan dengan bangunan mitos yang penulis pakai. Bangunan mitos sudah kokoh, tidak ada hal yang kontradiktif satu sama lain, hal-hal di dalamnya dijelaskan dengan baik.

Untuk alur, ada bagian di mana jalannya terlalu lambat, sehingga menggoda saya untuk skip langsung ke bagian akhir. Tapi jangan lakukan itu. Untuk buku ini, jangan. Rugi nanti.

Saya memuji kemampuan penulis dalam memberi twist dan membangun ketegangan. Terbangun di saat yang tidak disangka-sangka, dan perlahan-lahan memuncak. Wow.

Buat penggemar Inheritance Cycle, buku ini layak dicoba. Bahasa Inggrisnya memang ada yang tidak umum dilihat, tapi secara keseluruhan masih mudah dimengerti oleh kita.

Rating delapan. Sekuel sangat dinantikan.

As usual, something from the story