Negeri 5 Menara

A friend of mine recommended me to read this book written by A. Fuadi. She said that this is a good book. It turns out that what my friend said it's totally true. I enjoy the story very much.

It's a story of Alif Fikri, a young guy from West Sumatera. All his life was spent in his small village near Maninjau Lake. Until one day his mom asks him to continue his study in an islamic school. At first Alif feels reluctant about it since he plans to continue his study to a general Senior High School, but not to dissapoint his mom he finally agrees to go to Islamic Boarding School (Pesantren) in West Java.

The story then continue with Alif's life in Pesantren. Never thought that life in Pesantren is so hard. Very strict, very firm, they have to obey many rules, such as: they must speak english or Arabic, they have to wake up very early, no tolerance for being late either to do the prayer or eat their meals, and many more. But Alif also has a good time, when he enjoys his friendship with 5 of his best friends from all over Indonesia.

This book is the first book of Trilogy, perhaps next book will tell about Alif's life in college and his experience when he studies abroad. Yes, this story is adapted from the writer's true story when he studied in Pesantren Gontor. Very inspiring, from Alif, I learn that nothing is impossible. As long as we dare to dream and struggle for it, it will all comes true. Just like Alif story, from small village in West Sumatra, he finally can achieve all his goals with his motto 'man jadda wajada' (if you really fight for it, you'll succeed).