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.

185. The Fifth Risk by Michael Lewis

BOOK REVIEW: The Fifth Risk by Michael Lewis (with compliments by Times Reads)

I'm not a fan of politics to be honest, I regard it a messy game where the people and politicians collide head on. But reading this book has stirred my interest in the rather misty world of US politics.

The morning after Trump was elected president, the people who ran the US Department of Energy - an agency that deals with some of the most powerful risks facing humanity - waited to welcome the incoming administration's transition team. Nobody appeared. Across the US government, the same thing happened: nothing.

People don't notice when stuff goes right. That is the stuff government does. It manages everything that underpins our lives, from funding free school meals, to policing rogue nuclear activity, to predicting extreme weather events. It steps in where private investment fears to tread, innovates and creates knowledge, assesses extreme long-term risk.

And now, government is under attack. By its own leaders.

In this book, the author reveals the combustible cocktail of wilful ignorance and venality that is fuelling the destruction of a country's fabric. All of this, the author shows, exposes America and the world to the biggest risk of all.

Quite an engaging read for something politically written, it gave me a chance to get over my initial critical analysis of politics. I now have learnt more on the departments involved in America's government body and how most of it works, which was surprisingly intriguing. Highly recommended for political aficionados and also for those who want to have an insight into the world of the White House dealings.

184. The Fox by Frederick Forsyth

BOOK REVIEW: The Fox by Frederick Forsyth (courtesy of Times Reads)

Being a book reviewer for the past year has made me more open towards different genres, genres which I never imagined I would even turn my attention towards. Talk to a girl about a book on espionage, spies, murder, snipers and she'd probably turn her nose up. I was just like that but this book has changed my perception about the 'boys-only' genre.

Most weapons do what you tell them. Most weapons you can control. But what if the most dangerous weapon in the world isn't a smart missile or a stealth submarine or even an AI computer programme? What if it's an eighteen-year-old-boy?

Luke is a boy with a blisteringly brilliant mind and the ability to run rings around the most sophisticated security services across the globe, turning the superpowers' own weaponry against them.

How valuable is he? And what wouldn't you do to get hold of him? Find and capture, or protect and save? Read on to find out in this intriguing action-packed novel.

The author has created twists and turns that will keep any reader riveted to his seat. I even learned about the names of sniper rifles, ammunition and even other boyish terms that normally I wouldn't give a second thought about. Thoroughly refreshing for me with a new genre, I must say I enjoyed myself reading this fast-paced cat and mouse novel.

For the girly girls out there who were scared or bored before to touch such books, this novel with a rating of 9/10 is a sure-fire pick-me up to introduce yourselves in the world of action and adventure.

183. City of Lies (A Poison War Novel) by Sam Hawke

BOOOK REVIEW: City of Lies (A Poison War Novel) by Sam Hawke

Courtesy of Times Reads

Rating: 10/10

Who can't relate to those Harry Potter days when magic was the order of the day. Seat-clinging action kept us riveted and we just couldn't take our eyes of the pages of adventure, mystical wars and magic. If you were or still are a Harry Potter fan, you are most likely to pick up this book the next time you need an awesome read.

Though it isn't involving magic, the action, suspense, adventure, love and all other elements of the famous series is very much available in this book as well. Just imagine magic been taken over by the supernatural and the use of poisons to kill each other (yes, I said POISONS, a wonderful and fresh alternative to the usual magic and murder).

Jovan is a proofer, a person who is trained to identify poisons and protect the Chancellor from being poisoned. Tain is his best friend and the heir to the Chancellor's seat should the current Chancellor expire before his time is due. Kalina, Jovan's elder sister, is weak and ill and was not able to take over her supposed role of proofer from Jovan.

Everything seems to be all sunshine until Etan, Jovan's uncle as well as Tashi (a teacher in the art of poisoning), and Chancellor Caslav (Tain's uncle) are poisoned during a lunch meeting. Without being able to identify the poison, Jovan is devastated at his uncle's sudden death and vows to find out who murdered the Chancellor and his uncle.

Tain on the other hand struggles to take control of the Chancellor's seat as he is still young and not as capable as his uncle. At this inopportune moment, a siege takes place. The Earthers who were disrespected by the Silastians want to take revenge and are taking over Tain's city. According to the Earthers, the spirits are displeased and want them to take revenge.

With a smattering of love and a whole lot of friendship and bravery, Jovan, Tain and Kalina find out who was the black sheep behind the poisoning and end the siege at the end. I don't want to reveal much of the ending as it will be a dampener to your reading experience.

What I found interesting in this book was before every chapter begins, there was a description of different types of poisons which were mentioned throughout the book. I wasn't entirely sure whether some of the herbs or poisons mentioned truly existed, but it was fun reading about them nonetheless.

A wonderful read and one which I have missed since my Harry Potter days, I highly recommend this book for those who love fiction with a splash of augmented reality thrown in. Plus, it has a wonderful cover that makes for an excellent display on your bookshelf as well. If this book is transformed into a movie, I bet seats will be fully booked!

182. Social Creature by Tara Isabella Burton

BOOK REVIEW: Social Creature by Tara Isabella Burton

Courtesy of Pansing Distribution

Rating: 9 / 10

How many of us have wanted to be the best friend, who stands by a friend even when they annoy us to the max? Who stand by them when they swear at us, belittle us and take us for granted? I know a few out there would probably take it all in their stride. But what if things were too hot to handle and you resort to ACCIDENTALLY murder your friend and in the process PURPOSELY murder another loved one just to live their lives?

Highly riveting this novel is one for the dark, morbid fan clubs out there. Louise is struggling to survive in New York; juggling a series of poorly paid jobs, renting a shabby flat, being catcalled by her creepy neighbor, she dreams of being a writer. And then one day she meets Lavina. Lavinia who has everything - looks, money, clothes, friends, an amazing apartment and the list goes on and on.

Lavinia invites Louise into her charmed circle, takes her to underground speakeasies, the opera, shares her clothes, her drugs, her Uber account. Louise knows that this can't last forever, but just how far is she prepared to go to have this life? Or rather, to have Lavinia's life?

A wonderfully strung novel of epic proportions, this left me quite in shock and makes me realize that sometimes those who aren't happy with their current life will and can resort to murder to attain things they never before imagined. SPOILER ALERT: Rex is Lavinia's ex-boyfriend (Rex is still in love with Lavinia after the break-up but dates  Louise and says he loves her; though Louise knows full on he doesn't. That's the person Louise PURPOSELY kills although she loves him.)

Even though I'm not one for the morbid kind of stories, I just couldn't place this book down although I had personal commitments which were floating all around me. But do be cautioned that this book is only suitable for those 18 years old and above as it does have explicit words and a number of sex scenes throughout. All in all, it was a roller coaster of a read that comes highly recommended.