Entrok is a debut novel written by Okky Madasari. Entrok means bra in Javanese. A story about a mother, Marni, and her daughter, Rahayu, in rural area in Central Java during 1950s -1990s. Marni is a hardworker, she works hard to give the best for her only daughter, Rahayu. Unfortunately, the more mature Rahayu, the more disagreements they both have.
As an illiterate Javanese woman, Marni still worships her ancestors, while Rahayu as a modern girl learns about religion at school. Rahayu can't live with it. This condition leads to a wide gap between them. They live in their own thoughts.
This novel delivers a detail description about life in a village. How difficult to live as a poor and uneducated people. In fact, even the rich people also experience certain bad things, such as: every time the election day comes, they are forced to give donation to certain political party, if they refuse to do so, they will charged against the government and will be put in jail. Unfairness and political abuse from authoritarian ruler are everywhere now and forever. The poor are always the victims.
This novel reminds me of Ahmad Tohari's trilogy Ronggeng Dukuh Paruk. Perhaps since the setting is in a small village, the characters are intimidated people, and they face tragical moments from the beginning until the end.
Overall, it is a good read. I recommend this novel, glad to find an Indonesian novel with different genre written down by a young author.
Entrok
Pak Beye dan Istananya
This book is a bestseller. Everybody talks about it, reviews it and put it as a must have item. A book about our president from different point of view, written uniquely by Wisnu Nugroho, a kompasianer, in his blog. With the tag line, mengabarkan yang tidak penting agar yang penting tetap penting, Wisnu tells many interesting stories that happen in the palace. From the kinds of vehicles owned by the ministers, their shoes, our president favorite food, etc.
Formerly Wisnu was a Kompas journalist that assigned in the palace. Therefore he had a lot of opportunities to explore what's going on in that 'sacred' palace. A very recommended book. Enjoyable.
This book is the first from the tetralogy. Can't hardly wait for the second book.
My Lucky Week
It seemed that last week was my lucky week since I received 2 free books, a novel, Entrok and a graphic novel, Warna Air 2.
It's all started when I bought More Indonesia magazine August edition. The magazine offered 20 Entrok novel for free. I sent an e-mail and suddenly last week mister postman came and delivered the novel. Yay...the novel is written down by Okky Madasari. I am still reading it, a very interesting novel.
My luck didn't stop there, on the same week, I suddenly received an e-mail from Mbak Dwi Astuti from Promosi Fiksi Gramedia Pustaka Utama, she said that she really appreciated my review about Kim Dong Hwa graphic novel, Warna Tanah 1 and as their appreciation, Gramedia would send me the second book of the trilogy, Warna Air 2. I am so honored that my simple review could be appreciated that much.
Can't wait to read those 2 books in the middle of this hustle and bustle, i.e. the Lebaran day is getting closer, the nanny will take leave very soon, be ready to turn into Upik Abu, the mudik plan is also on the list and not to forget the most important part, the packing, one of the exhausting things to do.
All in all, these presents really made my day. Big thanks to More Indonesia magazine and Mbak Dwi Astuti from Gramedia.
Oooppss...Time Flies
Yes...time flies. Real fast. We have to move faster otherwise we can't catch it up and left behind without nothing. I just realize that today's already the 19th day of Ramadhan, ehm...Lebaran is getting closer, no wonder Jakarta traffic jam is getting worse. Especially this weekend since most people already received the Lebaran allowance aka THR and of course they can't stand the urge to go shopping.
This Ramadhan is really different. After 14 years always had breakfasting here, there and everywhere, i.e. in the office, in the train station, in the train itself (mostly) or in angkot with favorite menu a bottle of ice green tea and a plastic of gorengan and had very rare opportunity to have breakfasting at home unless on weekend. Finally this year I receive a great blessing to embrace a peaceful Ramadhan at home with my petite family. What a great blessing. Thank God. I am lost in words.
Now during Ramadhan, I have special activities with my girls, every afternoon, after taking a bath, we always walk along our housing complex and find out that some of my neighbors suddenly becoming tajil sellers. It's so fun not only to choose what tajil for today, but also this special moments with my girls are priceless. Oh..how I lost a lot of magic moments with them all this time. And realizing that time flies, whoaaaa...I wish I could turn back time.
At the end, again and again, I am so grateful with my life now. Thank God, I am still given the opportunity to spend the beautiful moments with my girls and my family as the whole. It's true, the more you are grateful, the more blessing will come to you. However, there is also one different thing to be noted this year which is no more THR for me *sigh*.
Between the Assassinations
I once enjoyed Aravind Adiga The White Tiger a lot. No wonder it's awarded the Man Booker Prize in 2008. I have great expectation when I purchased and started to read this book. The setting is almost similar with The White Tiger, in India, telling about people there with their frustration against the discriminations of castes, religions, and status.
In Between the Assassinations, Adiga created a fictional Indian city called Kittur and he eyed the life of people there within 7 (seven) days. So, you'll find 12 (twelve) different stories from different people. I thought that at the end of the book these 12 stories will meet, but it turns out that all these stories aren't related.
Well..it seems that this book is only an anthology of 12 (twelve) short stories that made during the period of Indira Gandhi assassination in 1984 and his son, Rajiv Gandhi assassination in 1991. Nothing more. I absolutely love The White Tiger more than this one.
Warna Tanah 1
A very beautiful graphic novel made by Kim Dong Hwa, a Korean author/artist. This story is just too beautiful, I am speechless. Enjoying every page of it, the drawing, the story, and all.
It is a story about Ehwa, a little girl and her single mother who live in rural Korea. It's started when Ehwa just 7 years old and along with the coming of the rainy season, she turns into a young lady. Ehwa and her mom, both grow and change. However their strong-mom-and-daughter-relationship make them supporting each other in facing the world and their surrounding that sometimes not too friendly to them.
The author, Dong Hwa, describes these women lives with rain and flowers as metaphor. Therefore you will find a very poetic graphic novel. This is more like a poem than a graphic novel. And I also amaze to find out that a male writer can capture woman's emotion and attitude so accurate.
Warna Tanah 1 (The Color of Earth) is the first from the trilogy. Hopefully PT Gramedia PustakaUtama will translate all. I just can't wait for the 2nd book, Warna Air .
Happy Birthday, Ayah
Dear Ayah,
It's your birthday,
I know
but somehow I feel
like I'm the one getting the present....
another wonderful year
of having you
to love.
Tons of loves, hugs & kisses,
Mama, Najla & Zea
