Remember the review on The Casual Vacancy by JK Rowling? Well, as a refresher, I thought that book was horrible. Not the language, rather the theme. And one can't help but feel depressed after reading it.
And Malaysia has its own share of stories. Stories untold, for fear of ruining "reputations". Stories we daren't acknowledge, an act which, confirms the sick reality of this sick world we naively chose to be in.
KL NOIR
KL NOIR - Every City Has A Dark Side
The book is Wani's. We went to Pavi last weekend, to meet Akma who was in town to help her brother shop for his coming engagement. Orang Brunei kaya betul. Datang Malaysia cari barang kat Pavi. Oh mai~ We fetched and sent Wani home, and in the short stay of half an hour, her books, some of them, came to be in my possession. One of which, is KL NOIR.
The book is a compilation of short stories. And a superb compilation, I must say. These shorties are written by award winning authors. *bangga saya sebagai rakyat Malaysia* However, I can say that I'm not proud with the stories in it. Language-wise, fantastic but the theme was around damnation, honest writing, that I find very disturbing. The kind of reading material that automatically switch on the frown on your face. And makes you feel like there's a lump in your throat. Tidak selesa.
In the book, stories like Mamak Murder Mystery and The Oracle of Truth are what I can classify as most harmless. I've heard of gangsters in PJ and duit kopi and bribery is something we frequently read in the media, so, it did not came as a surprise. The reality of how these things are hushed, however, kinda make you lose hope in humanity. Tsk tsk. Haih~
Then there are other stories, stories I may not come to know until I start working. And it has everything to do with the Emergency, Forensic and Psychiatry department. It's sad to know lunatics are let free, for the simple reason that his relative is a "somebody". And in return, his punishment can be simply put on the shoulder of an innocent PATI (pendatang asing tanpa izin) and mind you, this is not for petty crimes. :'( Haih.
Astargfirullah. What a sad sad world we live in.
The last time, when I read TCV, God gave the chance to visit some orphanage for children not cared for. I wonder where this will lead.
If you are not a regular or sensitive to the problems of the society, if you live in the comforts of your safety zone, then, readers you are warned, the book can kill your innocence. However, it is of course, reminded that naivety doesn't actually fare well in this world of competition. In this land where everything is so freaking expensive that everybody, steals, for need, for greed. And they still so recklessly to the point that even homicide can't knock back conscience into them.
To be able to write this, to be able to read this, we are actually quite well-to-live.
Today I am grateful that even if I'm imperfect, at least for the time being, I'm still aware that I'm a Muslim. Alhamdulillah. T_T
Lets not ruin our lives, here and There,
Nora
ps: has anyone ever watched P Ramlee's Dr Rushdi? Apparently, it is a good movie.
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