202. A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult

BOOK REVIEW: A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult (courtesy of Times Reads)

Abortion is the deliberate termination of a human pregnancy, most often performed during the first 28 weeks. This medical procedure has been around for decades and decades. Primitive methods have been recorded in papyrus scripts and etched on walls. But is abortion the right or the wrong decision? Is it lawfully supposed to be legal or cordoned off with laws?

One of my favorite authors of all time, Jodi Picoult returns with a powerful and provocative new novel about ordinary lives that intersect during a heart-stopping crisis. This piece of fiction with settings from real life will set you on a heart-touching and mind-reeling journey through the world of abortion and its many situations.

The warm fall day starts like any other at the Center, a women's reproductive health services clinic (otherwise known as an abortion factory to pro-life activists). Its staff offer care to anyone who passes through its doors. Then a desperate and distraught gunman, Hugh Goddard, bursts in and opens fire, taking hostages.

After rushing to the scene, Hugh McElroy, a police hostage negotiator, begins making a plan to communicate with the gunman. To his horror, he learns that his 15-year-old daughter, Wren, is inside. She will share the next and tensest few hours of her adolescent life with a cast of unforgettable characters trapped alongside her in the clinic, including the disturbed gunman himself.

Told in a daring and enthralling narrative structure that counts backward through the hours of the standoff, the story traces what brought each of the very different individuals to the same place on this fateful day. How do we balance the rights of pregnant women with the rights of the unborn they carry? What does it mean to be a good parent?

This wonderful book will inspire debate, conversation and hopefully understanding. With a box of tissues by my side, I actually had to restrain myself from sobbing at a few touching parts. The internal debate of an expecting mother when she wants to abort due to unavoidable circumstances, that's real heart pain. 

To me, this book has given a much-needed voice to women out there who want to make a choice that others look at as simply horrible. Not encouraging abortions, but giving a clear picture of what it actually means, this is one of the few meaningful reads I have read in this year. I give it my 100% thumbs up and recommend it to all those who want a read that touches both mind and soul.

201. Rani Taxis Away (Short Story No.15 from Marriage and Mutton Curry) by M. Shanmughalingam

BOOK REVIEW: Rani Taxis Away (Short Story No.15 from Marriage and Mutton Curry) by M. Shanmughalingam

Alas, my reviews for Marriage and Mutton Curry is about to come to an end as this is the last short story for this compilation. Relating to the struggles of a modern-age Jaffna Tamil girl, the short story is woven with such precision and beauty by master storyteller Dato' Dr. M. Shanmughalingam.

Daughters brought up in conventional Jaffna Tamil families are conservative and leave the decisions to be made by the men of the house. Marriages, friendships and even clothing sense are best determined by the male counterparts. However, the headstrong Rani in this story is unlike the conventional orthodox girl.

Rani has become a teacher in the convent that she previously was a student in. She slowly reminisces her school days, nicknaming the teachers and being a mischievous schoolgirl just like any other. Her father has arranged for a taxi driver, Chandran, to ferry her to and fro from school.

Rani strikes an unlikely friendship with Chandran who is also unlike the conventional Indians. He intends to start a taxi business from the bottom. Rani is attracted to his sense of freewill and ambitiousness. She also relates her first day at school when she teacher her students and her encounters with previous teachers of hers. 

One day on her way back, she requests Chandran to stop her at a kueh stall to get traditional cakes and sweets. That's where she bumps into Mrs Kandiah, the rumormonger in their community. Putting one and one together, she thinks that Rani is eloping with a mere taxi driver. With that, she drags Rani back home to complain to her mother regarding this.

Will Rani ever get her independence? Or will she be stuck with the orthodox ways of a typical Jaffna Tamil society? This last story in this compilation will definitely make a woman rethink her rights though brought up in an orthodox family. So grab a copy of this book before it's all sold out!

200. Free and Freed (Short Story No.14 in Marriage and Mutton Curry) by M. Shanmughalingam

BOOK REVIEW: Free and Freed (Short Story No.14 in Marriage and Mutton Curry) by M. Shanmughalingam

Oh! Doctor/engineer/accountant mappilai (groom)! Praise be to god! These are the things normally uttered by the elders of an Indian family not excluding the Jaffna Tamil society. Highly looked upon till today, most of the Indian families purposely weedle their sons into furthering their studies to become one of those mentioned above, whether they like it or not.

So what do you think happens when the daughter of someone in a Jaffna Tamil community is seen gallivanting with a guy who doesn't seem to look right in the eyes of the elders in the community, but who is actually a doctor, is confronted? In this hilarious short story written by the laughter-inducing Dato' Dr. M. Shanmughalingam, the tables are turned on the elders, putting them in a tough situation.

Mrs Kandiah (due to her sharp sword of her tongue, she is nicknamed Kaiser Kandiah) and Mrs Chelliah (Chatterbox Chelliah, way too much talking and gossiping) are talking to each other one day. Gossip is travelling among the folk that Muthiah's daughter is hanging out with a man who is out of the community. It is uncommon for well brought up daughters to elope with men from outside the community who don't have proper education and no finances.

Mrs Kandiah gets worked up into a frenzy and intends to teach the young man a lesson. She goes to the stage of telling she would show him a slipper to signify that he is nothing more than the filthy slipper and that she has trodden more miles in life than him. So Mrs Kandiah and Mrs Chelliah hatch a plan to confront the boy and Muthiah's daughter in the cinema.

Do you think the confrontation led to the silverscreen-worthy breakups as seen in the Tamil films? Or perhaps an unexpected switching of sides take place? I don't want to be the spoiler to this story, dear readers. The ending of this story had me in stitches and I know it will leave you in such a situation as well.

For more hilarious, tear-wrenching and altogether interesting short stories, Marriage and Mutton Curry is definitely a book that deserves applause for its literary work. It's already on the shelves of most good bookstores so getting your hands on one is going to be easy peasy lemon squeezy!

199. The Indra Quartet (Short Story No.13 in Marriage and Mutton Curry) by M. Shanmughalingam

BOOK REVIEW: The Indra Quartet (Short Story No.13 in Marriage and Mutton Curry) by M. Shanmughalingam

Hello readers! Did you all read my previous review on Flowers for KK? If you guys did, then you will be able to relate to its continuation which is the Indra Quartet. Written by the prose-worthy Dato' Dr. M. Shanmughalingam, this story paints a picture of two sisters fighting over their children.

Kumari is the daughter of Acca, the first wife of KK while Raja is the son of Thangechi, KK's second wife. Acca's bitterness towards Thangechi robbing her of the role of sole wife to KK makes her tell Thangechi to give up her son Raja to Acca, making Raja Acca's son. 

When Raja is sent off to college in Singapore, Kumari is sent along with him to keep an eye on him. For this many years after KK's death, Acca tries to keep the secret about Raja being Thangechi's son away from him and her daughter. Everyday, as both of them grow, it becomes a hassle to Acca.

Acca treats Thangechi like the house maid to prevent her from nearing both the children. However, Thangechi tries her level best to make Kumari understand that she is the only legal child to Acca and that Raja is her son. For instance, Thangechi brings Kumari through the government quarters when they go the mill. This makes Kumari aware of gossip about a family of two sisters fighting over the children (little does Kumari know that the family is actually her very own).

One day, Raja comes home in a huff. He gets sent away from college due to his incapability in studies. However, the shock that awaits him at home is even bigger than his being unable to cope in college. What shocks him to his roots? Do find out and you may be equally in shock too.

So what are you all waiting for? Marriage and Mutton Curry is on the shelves already. Get it while it's still on the shelf.

198. Flowers for KK (Short Story No.12 from Marriage and Mutton Curry) by M. Shanmughalingam

BOOK REVIEW: Flowers for KK (Short Story No.12 from Marriage and Mutton Curry) by M. Shanmughalingam

If you are a jealous young woman like myself, you would only want the guy solely to yourself. All hands off deck! Even in the thresholds of marriage, it will be only you and your man, like it or not. But what if circumstances turned the tables on you, and he is forced to marry another? Would you accept it?

In this cleverly woven story of sororate marriages in the Jaffna Tamil society, Dato' Dr. M. Shanmughalingam depicts the sorrows of the first wife and the reality of marriages to the husband getting married to the sister in the same family he takes the bride from.

Mr. Kanagaretnam, nicknamed King Kana (hence the abbreviation KK), is married to Acca, the elder sister of the family. Alas, they have been childless for many years and this frustrates and angers KK because it is considered a shame to the family. At this point, KK brings up the issue of sororate marriages to Acca and announces that he'd marry Thangechi (the younger sister) in order to welcome a heir into the family.

Due to the lack of a child, KK treats Acca pretty disrespectfully and orders her around. Even if she tied a saree a little above her ankles, she is asked to retie it again. The way she applies talcum powder on her face or ties her hair bun is duly chastised by KK. 

When KK puts forward the plan of marrying Thangechi, he even brings both Acca and Thangechi to one of his formal functions. Indirectly, he is already showing off that if he can't have a child with his first wife he can always marry another. Thangechi can't seem to understand the bitterness of Acca towards her for pulling the rug off from under her feet.

Can you guess what happens to Acca and Thangechi when Thangechi gets married to KK? Does Thangechi conceive as thought of by KK or does Acca  conceive to fill in the need of a heir? Does Acca's love remain for KK and Thangechi or does KK treat Acca better than Thangechi? All these questions I'm going to shoot it back to you fellow readers.

For more mind dazzling stories on the Jaffna Tamil society, Malaysia's rich history or just plain good reading, Marriage and Mutton Curry should definitely be on your TBR list. 

197. Dodol for The Doctor (Short Story No.11 from Marriage and Mutton Curry) by M. Shanmughalingam

BOOK REVIEW: Dodol for The Doctor (Short Story No.11 from Marriage and Mutton Curry) by M. Shanmughalingam

Malaysians are ever familiar with the gummy sweet delicacy of dodol, glutinous rice flour cooked to a thick goo that is flavored with pandanus leaves and sometimes even durian. Nothing can be better than a short story woven around this delicacy as composed by Dato' Dr. M. Shanmughalingam. 

In the past two reviews, readers would have been exposed to the ups and downs in the life of Rasamah, her husband Kandasamy as well as her friend Chelvi and Chelvi's husband, Chellapah. 

Rasamah is burning to share with her friend Chelvi some good news of hers. She awaits Chelvi to make some dodol with her while she spills the beans on the good news. They also discuss on their husbands pending retirements and what it would be like to suddenly have them around 24/7. Then slowly Rasamah tells Chelvi the good news.

Kamala, Rasamah's daughter, has received a marriage proposal from a doctor named Dr. Selladurai. Dr. Selladurai was smitten by Kamala's violin recital and immediately requested for a hosroscope match to be seen. Little did Rasamah know that Chelvi, upon hearing this good news, has something up her sleeves. 

The very next day, Chelvi visits Dr. Selladurai on the pretext of herself having chest pain. In that span of time, Chelvi mentions about her daughter to the doctor and even shows him a picture of her. Chelvi also hands him a package of, you guessed it, dodol. Who do you think made this dodol and why do you think Chelvi had to meet Dr. Selladurai after Rasamah broke the good news to her?

Rasamah caught wind of the news from another friend of hers but without a moment's doubt she still communicates with Chelvi. Chelvi and Rasamah make a trip to the Kandaswamy temple in Scott Road to pray for blessings. The turn of events after that is what all you readers should look out for. 

A short story that relates strong friendship and betrayal to that exact same friendship, this short story left me in utter shock. If you want to know why I'm in such a situation after reading this short story, I highly recommend this book for your reading pleasure.

196. Marriage and Mutton Curry (Short Story No.10 from Marriage and Mutton Curry) by M. Shanmughalingam

BOOK REVIEW: Marriage and Mutton Curry (Short Story No.10 from Marriage and Mutton Curry) by M. Shanmughalingam

If you have read the previous review of The Barefoot Man from Malaya, then it would be easier to have this short story to fall in place. A continuation from that, this short story carved out by the prosaic Dato' Dr. M. Shanmughalingam, is very touching and paints the relationship of a typical Tamil couple, even a Jaffna Tamil couple.

Rasamah rethinks of her marriage to Kandasamy, the way he unconventionally proposed to her and the way she married him in a heartbeat. But now after marriage and stepping Malaya, she regrets silently of her marriage to him as her heart is full of unfulfilled ambitions and dreams.

Staying in the government quarters, she is forced to seek solace in a neighbor of hers, Chelvi, a total village bumpkin and uneducated unlike Rasamah who has proper education. She becomes firm friends with Chelvi and shares with her the ups and downs, dreams and aspirations she has.

Kandasamy is portrayed as the typical Tamil husband. Wondering how these husbands behave? After marriage, the romance just evaporates, wives are just seen as those who clean, wash and cook and look after the household. Wives are treated with a certain distance and are only given extra treatment at certain times of the year like Deepavali. 

Rasamah's daring ambition to break the norms of a Tamil Jaffna girl by teaching sets Kandasamy into a frenzy and he vehemently pushes the idea away. To him, if his wife worked, it only meant he was incapable of providing for the family. Yeah, the same issue as in any orthodox family. Rasamah feels dejected by Kandasamy's disapproval of her doing something for herself.

One day, when Kandasamy informs Rasamah of good news that he is about to get promoted. However, he mentioned that it was to be a secret as some office politics were going around and that he was to be promoted instead of his seniors. Rasamah's couldn't contain her joy and spilled the beans to Chelvi, her best friend and neighbor. 

Does everyone have the capacity to keep a secret? Maybe not. Chelvi in turn relates this to her drunkard of her husband who jumps at any chance of toppling Kandasamy in office to take his place. 

The turn of events in the story after this is for you to find out and for me to keep a lid on. To know what happens to Rasamah, Kandasamy and Chelvi, read Marriage and Mutton Curry by one of Malaysia's top authors. A guaranteed good read, it will set your lips into a smile or perhaps a teardrop to stray down your cheeks with its touching moments in each short story. 

195. The Barefoot Man from Malaya (Short Story No.9 from Marriage and Mutton Curry) by M. Shanmughalingam

BOOK REVIEW: The Barefoot Man from Malaya (Short Story No.9 from Marriage and Mutton Curry) by M. Shanmughalingam

Every woman dreams of a man sweeping her off her feet. In certain cultures, till today it only remains a dream. A stark example of this is the Jaffna Tamil society or the whole Tamil society for that matter. Till today the notion of marriage with an outsider is still unwelcome in most families. Marriages in the family among cousins is still practiced and are fixed since birth. 

In this short story written by the affable Dato' Dr. M. Shanmughalingam, readers will come across a character, Rasamah, who defies all tradition to marry Kandasamy, a man not of her family and who didn't proceed with the usual channel of asking for the bride's hand.

Kandasamy, who works as a government clerk in Malaya has come back to his hometown in Karai Nagar, Ceylon. After much personal research about Rasamah, he just walks up to Rasamah's house and asks her directly for her hand in marriage. This shocks Rasamah to bits as she never expected this to ever happen. She was brought up in the tradition of marrying into the family, never outsiders and also not to speak matters of the heart to an unknown man.

However, Kandasamy is adamant in marrying her and bringing her back to Malaya where he assures her of a secured and comfortable life. He even tells Rasamah that he doesn't want any dowry from her. Dowry being a very debatable issue currently, this story portrays lightly what dowry means and its importance in marriage.

Before Kandasamy leaves for his home after the abrupt proposal, Rasamah gives him three kolukattais (sweet dumplings). When he is home, he gives the package to his mother who is impressed by Rasamah's cooking ability and immediately approves of her. Without fail, Kandasamy keeps asking Rasamah for her hand.

Alas, as with all Tamil mothers, Rasamah's mother clearly disapproves of the proposal of Kandasamy as he breaks all tradition. She considers him to be a scoundrel for not asking for Rasamah's hand through her. She also disapproves of Kandasamy taking Rasamah to Malaya. 

With all the hullabaloo of going back and forth, do you think Rasamah and Kandasamy crossed the marriage threshold successfully? In this romantic story of marriage and true love, you will have an insight into how marriages and proposals take place in the Jaffna Tamil society.

For more interesting short stories from Marriage and Mutton Curry, I suggest you head over to the nearest bookstore and get your hands on a copy today. 

194. His Mother's Joy (Short Story No. 8 from Marriage and Mutton Curry) by M. Shanmughalingam

BOOK REVIEW: His Mother's Joy (Short Story No.8 from Marriage and Mutton Curry) by M. Shanmughalingam

Of all the gifts that life has to offer, a loving mother is the greatest of them all. A mother's sacrifice has no limits and she is the proudest of everyone when it comes to a child's achievement. I know that for a fact as my mother has been the backbone of steel for myself in anything that I pursue.

But what happens when a Jaffna Tamil mother becomes too proud of her Malaysian Civil Service Officer son? a string of hilarity ensues in this short story written by the prosaic Dato' Dr. M. Shanmughalingam.

Mrs Kandiah is so proud of her son who has just become a Malaysian Civil Service Officer. In her joy, she gives thanks to Lord Ganesha before bringing over kolukattai (rice flour dumplings) oozing with palm sugar syrup to Mrs Chong, her neighbor. Its a customary practice among the Tamil community to share sweet morsels among close friends and family if good news was bestowed. 

As with all mothers, Mrs Kandiah brags of her son being in a much higher rank than his Office Assistant father. She expresses her sacrifice of sitting with her son since kindergarten right through school, going through every line of his homework. 

In the afternoon, Mrs Kandiah proceeds to the post office to complete a chore. Not satisfied with just sharing the news with Mrs Chong, she approaches a Malay woman who is also waiting for mail and begins her tirade of her son's achievement and position in the government sector. 

Without realizing that she was going a bit overboard, Mrs Kandiah even mentions to the unknown Malay woman that if she ever needed a hefty loan she could approach Mrs Kandiah's son for a word of recommendation. Little does Mrs Kandiah know that the Malay woman happened to be Puan Sri Salmah, wife to the Secretary General to the Treasury (who happens to be of all unfortunate circumstances, Siva's big boss).

One day as Mrs Kandiah and Siva are at the wet market, she is embarassingly confronted with Puan Sri Salmah. What do you think Puan Sri could have told Mrs Kandiah? What was Mrs Kandiah's reaction to that?

Feel like pulling out your hair in suspense? Before you go bald dear reader, grab a copy of Marriage and Mutton Curry off the shelves before it's sold out. The short stories in this book are bound to keep you entertained while learning on Malaysia's history, culture and also the Jaffna Tamil society.

193. Naming Names (Short Story No.7 in Marriage and Mutton Curry) by M. Shanmughalingam

BOOK REVIEW: Naming Names (Short Story No.7 in Marriage and Mutton Curry) by M. Shanmughalingam

Hi Ali, can u please tell Mr. Ali that Ali came to see him? Hello Tan, how's your Uncle Tan now? I heard Tan tell me that he was not well. Did Siva tell you that his Uncle Siva met with an accident with Mrs Siva's husband, Mr Siva? STOOOOPPPPP!!! Now which Tan is it and which Siva were you referring to?

This blathering confusion used to exist quite some time back when surnames and names were similar to one another. It also happened in the Tamil Jaffna community with the numerous Kandiahs, Kanagasabais and Kanagaratnams. Yikes! So how was this muddle-up solved? The author, the affable, Dato' Dr. M. Shanmughalingam, has narrated in a funny short story the creative ways used to identify one name from the other.

Creativity was pretty rampant in the olden days as people had less to do and more to think about. So funny and witty ways of naming people came up. In this story, the name of Kandiah, a famous name in the Tamil Jaffna society, is put into focus for explanation.

For example, there was a Kandiah who walked with his eyes always focused on his stomach. The nickname was then given as Vaithu Valli Kandiah (Stomach Ache Kandiah). Another Kandiah likes to give people free rides, but right at the very end he asks for fares. Due to his behavior, he is nicknamed Taxi Kandiah. The list goes on and on in this story and it gets even funnier to see how the nicknames correspond with the Kandiah's behavior, appearance or certain movements.

This naming of names still exists today. There are some grannies who talk too much and are given names like Nyanya Munya meaning mumbling, and some grannies who are nicknamed after the place where they stay like Mersing Patty (Mersing Granny - Mersing being a town in Johor). With ease of identification comes humor to enlighten your day.

To me this story was really humorous and portrays the way we give nicknames to people even today. For  more humorous and self-explanatory stories on the Tamil Jaffna community and also Malaysia's rich history, do pick up a copy of Marriage and Mutton Curry to read up on. 

192. Seek and Shall Ye Find? (Short Story No.6 in Marriage and Mutton Curry) by M. Shanmughalingam

BOOK REVIEW: Seek and Shall Ye Find? (Short Story No.6 in Marriage and Mutton Curry) by M. Shanmughalingam

The previous reviews of the short stories in Marriage and Mutton Curry, written by the witty and humorous Dato' Dr. M. Shanmughalingam, have shown many issues and themes. From Malaysian history to the Jaffna Tamil society, the stories touched the depths of my heart in a light-hearted manner.

This story in particular made tears spring to my eyes with its theme of honesty and the courage to admit when you have mentioned a white lie. The story unravels with Santokh Singh reveling in his uncontained joy on his upcoming promotion in the Public Service Department.

In this revelation, the hierarchical situation that happens at most workplaces is portrayed, especially during mealtimes in the cafeteria. Those of a certain work position sit together during mealtimes. For example, officers only sit with their kind while secretaries sit with other secretaries. However, never fear, Santokh Singh the joker is here! He enlightens many of his colleagues with his riddles and jokes, relieving them from their work stress.

After being sent to England for a 3-month training course, Santokh is served a blow in the form of some saddening news. His promotion has been delivered to someone else in the department. Feeling frustrated with himself, he appeals to the Director General of the Public Service Department. When his appeal is squashed, his mood goes down the scale once more.

So this time, what do you think Mr. Santokh did? Well, I will reserve my comments, it's for you readers to find out. This is where I learnt that honesty is definitely the best policy. If we do end up saying a lie, we should hold our heads up equally high to admit to it. Maybe who knows, there is a rainbow right at the end of our honesty...

To know what happened to Santokh, I suggest you get Marriage and Mutton Curry off the shelf of the nearest bookstore. You wouldn't regret your choice of reading material. Happy reading, bookworms!

191. Rahman's American Visitor (Short Story No.5 in Marriage and Mutton Curry) by M. Shanmughalingam

BOOK REVIEW: Rahman's American Visitor (Short Story No.5 in Marriage and Mutton Curry) by M. Shanmughalingam

The devil takes a hand in what is done in haste. That is exactly the proverb situation that I stumbled upon when I read the short story Rahman's American Visitor. Crafted by the ever-talented Dato' Dr. M. Shanmughalingam, this story is about Abdullah, newly appointed Assistant Secretary under Malaysian Civil Service.

Originating from a small village in Terengganu, the story unfolds with the character describing his village, the sights, sounds and the available facilities. It portrays the current situation experienced by most rural areas in Malaysia even today. Peaceful yet isolated from the developing world, most of the village youngsters who achieve academically secure jobs in more developed areas to experience life they never had, like Abdullah.

With his head in the sky, Abdullah begins to daydream on how he is going to verbally topple a representative who is coming to visit him from the United States World Bank. When Mr. John Malone from the World Bank enters, Abdullah doesn't even let him get a word in sideways after his handshake. The pitiful bank representative only manages to tell Abdullah one word: facilities.

That's where everything trundles downhill silently. Facilities means the toilet in US. However, without understanding the representative's request, Abdullah continues rambling on his office's facilities. From the time he dials 98 for his capable Jaffna Tamil clerk to dialing 97 for his Chinese stenographer, Abdullah babbles on as the representative's urgency to release himself increases.

Mr. Malone finally slams his briefcase on the table and mops sweat off his perspiring reddened face. With much urgency, he exclaims that he needs to use the toilet urgently and that was the facilities he was talking about from the beginning. With much panic, Abdullah then realizes his long speech was all in vain. His real talking is only supposed to happen after the representative is out of the toilet.

This story was one of those that really tickled my funny bone and I'm sure it will tickle yours too. For more short stories that encapsulate Malaysia's history and also injects humor into it, head to your nearest bookstore and purchase a copy of Marriage and Mutton Curry.

190. Money Man (Short Story No.4 in Marriage and Mutton Curry) by M. Shanmughalingam

BOOK REVIEW: Money Man (Short Story No.4 in Marriage and Mutton Curry) by M. Shanmughalingam

Malaysia's project schemes have always been small and precise, with the ministers running a fine-toothed comb through all its procedures. However, financing from the World Bank is an ongoing issue due to the lack in size of it.

In this short story, one out of fifteen in the refined Dato' Dr. M. Shanmughalingam's collection of short stories, Marriage and Mutton Curry, this situation is narrated through the character of a visiting dignitary from the United States of America, a representative of the World Bank.

The Finance Minister of Malaya is depicted as a man who is like a speedy gazelle in his work that he even speeds up his speech, constricting words that were meant to be longer than what he mentions. In a humorous manner, the author has painted a vivid picture of our then and now ministers who have always been misunderstood as sitting on their laurels.

Malaysia is also strong in its standing and its believes of leading the country into a better future through its many up and coming projects. This is one of the issues highlighted in this short story. It shows Malaysians aren't one to pussy foot around to give their honest opinion, let it be foreigners or even to their own countrymen.

The foreign dignitary is then treated to Malaysian hospitality at its finest when he is invited to the Malayan Finance Minister's house for dinner. Course after course of Malaysia's traditional dishes are served causing the dignitary to loosen his belt. Even if there was slight friction during the day's happenings, Malaysians don't tend to keep grudges for long and display finesse when entertaining newcomers to their land.

Besides that, it also depicts the take-it-easy attitude of Malaysians and the laid-back mentality that is practiced throughout Malaysia. Although issues seem serious, it is handled with much calmness and thought instead of flowing rapidly into a mess. In this story, the then Prime Minister of Malaya is portrayed as such a man, cool yet simmering with action.

All in all, it's a story that will make you proud of Malaysia in many ways with its portrayal of our homeland and its people. If you'd like to know more on how this short story unravels, I highly recommend you pick up a copy of Marriage and Mutton Curry in any good bookstore near you today.

189. Birthday (Short Story No.3 in Marriage and Mutton Curry) by M. Shanmughalingam

BOOK REVIEW: Birthday (Short Story No.3 in Marriage and Mutton Curry) by M. Shanmughalingam

Women discrimination has been around since time immemorial. In this age and era, feminists are fighting for the rights of women everywhere in the world, from educational rights to rights to an equal job as men. Aren’t women capable of becoming engineers and doctors other than just being meant to do household chores?

In the third short story in Marriage and Mutton Curry by none other than the creative Dato’ Dr. M. Shanmughalingam, gender discrimination that is very obvious in the Tamil community, including the Jaffna Tamils is clearly depicted in this funny narration.

The story unfolds with Mrs Santha Gnanapragasm trying to relate happy news of herself bearing his child. Mr Gnanapragasm who is engrossed in cricket doesn’t even bother to listen to what she has to say, engrossed in his world of cricket. It reveals that women of the household are seldom heard by their spouses as they are valuable merely for the chores they do in the house and for the responsibilities to family.

Another scene unfolds in the story when Mrs Santha was about to give birth. A conversation takes place between the relatives who have gathered to witness the birth. They bicker among themselves that a male heir should be born. Among their bickering, they also discuss about their children. Mrs Chelliah is disappointed with her daughter for taking up Arts. As they speak, they come upon the conclusion that Arts is for morons who cannot understand Science and Arts is a waste of time for boys.

To me, this portrays a strong sense of gender discrimination that made me rear my head in utter bewilderment. We Indian ladies may be soft at heart but that doesn’t mean we are utterly lacking in the mind department. Being entirely capable of wonders, we are able to prove that we are smarter and possess the same or even better qualities compared to the opposite sex.

When the baby is born, and the nurse mentions it’s a boy, everyone is caught up in a storm of joy and begin to relate the features of the boy to that of his mother. However, the funny catch here is....wait for it....there was a mix-up. The boy happens to be another’s child and Mrs Santha actually delivered a baby girl. This part caught me guffawing when all the relatives became pindrop silent after the news.

The relatives were commenting about the similarities in features just because they heard it was a son that was born. If it was a girl, they wouldn’t have even bothered in the least. Another painful aspect that is even seen till today is the aspect of dowry. In some cases, daughters are just given away for marriage because they seem to bothersome and are seen only as fit for marriage.

This is a mentality that should be nipped in the bud and through this short story, it has made me more keen on becoming a feminist to make others duly feel the rights of women should be looked after.

Based on my two previous reviews, I hope you have already felt an inkling to get your hands on this book by this great Malaysian author. If you still haven’t and this review has piqued your interest, then what are you waiting for! Hop on over to any good bookstore near you now for a copy of Marriage and Mutton Curry, you won’t be disappointed.

188. Half and Half (Short Story No. 2 from Marriage and Mutton Curry) by M. Shanmughalingam

BOOK REVIEW: Half and Half (Short Story No.2 from Marriage and Mutton Curry) by M. Shanmughalingam

Looks can be deceiving and so the saying goes. If you had the looks of a European many many years back, what would the privileges be? Or on the sour side the torture you had to endure by the Japanese? This is the element that is vividly portrayed in this short story by none other than our acclaimed Malaysian author, Dato' Dr. M. Shanmughalingam.

The character in this story happens to be a young Malaysian chap who has the complexion of a European. However, his parents, who are originally Jaffna Tamils, have dark brown skin and black hair while he has reddish gold hair and light brown eyes. His fair skin tone adds to his European look.

This story which takes place during the Japanese occupation unfolds the terrors of Japanese torture methods when they assume that someone is a British spy or traitor to them. Being beaten till the skin felt raw with a metal rod and depriving a person of food is just some of the methods that will be divulged to you through this story.

One day, as the Japanese are on their rounds of rooting out spies, they come across the young chap's house. He is told to hide in the chicken coop for fear of being dragged away by mistake by the Japanese military policemen. However, lady luck didn't shine his side as however hard his mother tried to distract the Japanese, they dragged him away for interrogation on suspicion of him being a British spy.

During his interrogation, the story of the chap through his childhood throwbacks slowly unfolds. If you are hungry, you might be driven to find for the nearest morsel to nibble on as there are quite a few food descriptions in the story that are so colorful that it may start your mouth watering. Not only are the Jaffna Tamil food descriptions like coconut milk appams and crab curry tantalizing, there is even descriptions of our Malaysian favorites like rojak and cendol that makes it appear as if the food was right in front of you!

Besides that, the story revolves around the aspect of how Malayans used to treat the British once upon a time. The British were highly looked upon and were given first preference anywhere, from school admissions to seats in a coffee shop. That was how British were and still are being respected even today.

It also describes the character of the Japanese who colonized Malaysia many years back. Their wiliness and persistence in getting what they want made them ruthless in their short yet painful reign on Malaya. 

You may have seen my first review about Victoria and her Kimono. Now Half and Half has made me even more hooked on this book which seamlessly blends fact with fiction to create a masterpiece like no other. 

If you are as eager as me to know what the next short story is all about, do head to the nearest bookstore near you for a copy of Marriage and Mutton Curry, the book which opens your eyes to the world of the Jaffna Tamil society and also Malaysia's rich history.

187. Marriage and Mutton Curry by M. Shanmughalingam

BOOK REVIEW: Marriage and Mutton Curry by M. Shanmughalingam

They say readers are a lucky bunch, we have the world at our fingertips, both fictional and worldly. My stroke of luck became a boulder of luck as it trundled along and bowled me over. I had the chance of being in contact with Dato' Dr. M. Shanmughalingam, one of Malaysia's most influential short story writers. He personally requested for my book review on his latest book, Marriage and Mutton Curry.

So today, I shimmied over to the nearest Popular bookstore in Kluang Mall (yes, I'm a bat-town girl) and thank heavens they had a copy of this witty book that paints a picture of the Jaffna Tamil community in Malaysia. Without wasting a moment's time, I dived into the pages and read the first short story which was Victoria and her Kimono. I couldn't wait to share some of my findings from the book before completing it.

Most of you must be thinking what has the name Victoria got to do with Jaffna Tamil? Victoria refers to one of the characters in this laughter-inducing short story named Mrs Vickneswari Ramanan, "The Tigress of Asia". In this short story, the narrator slowly unravels the trials and tribulations the Jaffna Tamils had to go through during the Japanese occupation, which was after the British Rule.

It portrays the golden days, during the British Rule, when everything was governed by the English language and how the folks of yesteryear became "Englishmen" through heart and soul. A good example of this is another character in the story named Albert Ramanan, the Tiger of Victoria Institution. Although he is a Jaffna Tamil, his upbringing in a society governed by the British Rule made him dress, speak and behave like the English, a trait which I have clearly seen in the older generation.

On the other hand, Ramanan's better half, Vickneswari, is very much an Indian whereby though she was brought up under the British Rule like him. She sticks to her traditional clothing, reads Tamil material and also is a Tamil silver screen enthusiast. This portrays another important element in life where the women are brought up conservatively without losing traditional values and also where their family becomes the core of their universe.

Besides these elements, this short story weaves the disturbing nature of the Japanese occupation in a light-hearted manner, leaving all gory bits out. It made me imagine the time my grandmother was young and had a family of her own. She also went through the same experience as the characters in the story. Some of it was related to me by my mother who was fortunate (or unfortunate) enough to be around during that era.

I must say that even the first short story left me hankering for more. Although it was a piece of fiction, the author was wise enough to inject the history of Malaya into it, something very rare as far as fiction is concerned. Most fiction pieces conjure up purely fictional places and scenes. So this was a burst of energy to learn a little history while enjoying it.

This tome of short stories written by the accomplished yet humble Dato' Dr. M. Shanmughalingam is a definite pick-me-up from any good bookstore near you. I thoroughly enjoyed the first story and I'm not even halfway through yet! Refreshing and definitely not a boredom inducing book, I highly recommend this to all my fellow readers out there.

P.S. I forgot, below is a list of terms that you may find useful when you read the first short story, Victoria and her Kimono. Happy Reading!

1. Topi: hat
2. Chili padi: birds eye chillies'
3. Rotan: cane, used in the yesteryears to hit misbehaving children..haha
4. Blancoed: whitened.
5. Kopi-susu: dark skin (hence the kopi which means coffee) and fair skin (hence the susu which means milk).
6. Karupu sutu vellai kaaran: literally translated as black bottom Englishman, it means an Indian with the heart and soul of an Englishman.
7. Ayah: husband.
8. Kempeitai: military police of the Japanese army.
9. Kunrenjo: Japanese boot camps.
10. Seishin: Japanese spirit.
11. Nippongo: Japanese language.
12. Pavadai: underskirts worn under sarees.
13. Pottu: a dot placed on the temple between the eyebrows especially the Tamil community.
14. Rasa velli kilangu: yam.

186. Happily Evr After? By Faith. E

BOOK REVIEW: Happily Evr After? By Faith. E

What do you do when you are caught up in the condo with the elders talking? Duh, read of course! This title was one of the many my cousin had in her little stash. Written by a Singaporean young writer, it's a warming, coming of age story between two individuals.

Joshua and Kerrie have known each other since they were newborns. They've always been really close. Nothing has ever been able to pull them apart, not even when sometimes they are in different schools.

But will they be able to stay friends when Kerrie starts feeling for Joshua - a feeling she's never felt before? Will their friendship stay strong when Joshua gets close to the "in-group" at his school?

And what happens when Robert, the new boy in school, starts showing a liking towards Kerrie? They say "happily ever after" is just a fairy tale ending. Or is it not?

This story was fuzzy till the last and was beautiful in its own right. I almost remembered my childhood nad teenhood angst that every girl would have gone through.

A wonderful read for all the young uns.