Book Review: The Shadow of the Wind

Haven't really had the time to update my blog much. Apologies aside, life is good and busy (which is to me, always good news) and look, I finished a book.

The Shadow of the WInd by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

I bought the book from book vouchers awarded by my current company for hitting targets set for the team I was involved in. I had a thing for the cover, to tell you the truth and it was just about the reason that made me trade the voucher for it without a second thought. Who says you shouldn't judge a book by its cover?

It is the first time I find it torturous to read a book, but it wasn't because the book was horrible. In fact, it was... amazing.

The book was splendid, but I did not have the time to really sit down and devour the Shadow of the Wind in one sitting. And so, I scraped the minutes left at the bottom of the barrel (more precisely what little time I had after my daughter finally sleeps and before I had to) to run through the pages, sometimes 20 in one go, sometimes 5. It was the first time I understood what unputdownable felt like - doesn't mean I could stomach it though, mind you - but the storyline, it was spell-binding.

I seriously could not detach myself from the pages. I had to know what happens next - the book has that effect on you. The writing is beautiful, smooth and intelligent. Yes, I would use intelligent writing to describe the Shadow of the Wind, seriously. It makes you go, wow, if only I could write like that. And I have this habit of always guessing what the ending would be like. I had some hits, and some misses; but you know how it is that when you find an ending predictable, you just hate that you guessed it and ruined the story for yourself? Didn't happen for this book. It keeps you on your toes. The moment you find out the answer to one riddle, the next one is already pulling you along.

You can easily find the synopsis on the blurb or anywhere else online. You will see a pattern in all those synopses. No one is willing to divulge more than what is necessary and that is, the introduction alone. One, they don't want to ruin it for you and two, it is just not explainable in a single article. In short, you have to read the book.

And it would be a really fun experience.

In my own words...

Daniel Sempere, a boy of preteen wisdom is led to the Cemetery of Forgotten books by his father who tells him that he gets to choose any book that he wants from this library for of lost literature, and keep it. Daniel does and he brings home The Shadow of the Wind by Julian Carax. After reading the story, Daniel felt that he needed more books written by Julian (I know how that feels like, Daniel) and is surprised to find that a mysterious figure has been going around buying and burning books written by Carax.

We then follow Daniel through the years as he uncovers layers upon layers of Carax's life, the people that he leaves behind and what actually happened to Carax. Along the way, we meet friends and enemies of Daniel. Fermin is a favourite character of mine - you either hate him or love him, anyways - and Fumero seriously scares the daylight out of me. The way Carlos writes, you can't help but enter the lives of his characters. Yes, his ability to turn characters on print into real people is astonishing. By the end of chapters, you suddenly can see Penelope, Jorge, Miquel, Nuria and Jacinta and remember what they went through in their lives. You feel their pain, horror, trials and tribulations. You experience their lives through Carlos' writing.

There are so many characters in the story that you lose count, but you know who they each are. We explore the lives of these people, how they are entangled with each other through relationships that came about from other relationships etc. Relationships is a huge theme in this book, as is Love - the kind you lose and the kind you wish you had lived for. The plots in the storyline are worthy of movie scripts yet the literature involved is worthy of being categorized as classics.

Apparently, he has several more books written already. The one that has hit stores here in Malaysia is the Angel's Game a prequel to The Shadow of the Wind.
Can't wait to get it. Also looking for the Prince of Mist but it isn't available here yet. Will Carlos be the reason I will attempt Amazon before I am ready? Time always tells.

CUT THE CRAP

It's the sixth day of the Chinese New Year and the 50th day of the year 2010.

I have three dead bodies behind me who somehow are still breathing (very loudly - kinda like a snore, oops... I've said too much). I'm freezing from the cold blaring air from the old and surprisingly still workin AC above me. Apart from the hiii-huuu sounds the background, it's all quiet.

Yes, CNY this year is very quiet. At home, it's because I've just lost an uncle exactly a month ago today, and we are not allowed to loudly celebrate or welcome the new year. But outside of the house, the fireworks are not as crazy, there is no music and even the atmosphere is not CNY-like. It just feels like any other holiday, which is really sad.

After the authorities banned fireworks and mercun or firecrackers, made it impossible to play CNY music unless it is really old or it is sung in karaoke version (so that we won't infringe any copyright and will die of boredom) and made the political situation in Malaysia dominate most of the newspapers out there... we have but the PETRONAS, tmnet and Digi ads left to remind us that it is already the lunar new year. And since we've lost Yasmin last year, frankly, I wasn't looking forward to much.

So if the cny celebrations goes kaputz in a decade or so, I am blaming the authorities, yes, the government for making it so hard for us to celebrate who we are. And no, 1Malaysia does not cut it. It is a propaganda, not a culture. It is a ploy, not tradition. And for those who think it better to merge all the different riches and cultures that make up the people of Malaysia, I say to you, cut the crap.

Look at yourself. You are who you are. Not what the news, a party or a man says who you are. Call me old fashioned if you will, but I am one kacang who will not lupa my kulit.

SEPARATION ANXIETY for parents

Okay, it has been a busy start to the new year but people need to eat and blogs need updating. And I found the perfect think to write about: Separation anxiety.

It's baby-related okay?

Anyways, once a baby starts recognizing people around her, like her mom, or pop, it will develop a sense of security and thus can sense when there is a lack of it. Hence, when the baby is around strangers or people that they do not know, they will cling on tighter to those that they do, suckle on the pacifier more frantically or try to not move as much as possible until a person that it is familiar with enters the room, upon which it will do whatever it takes to hitch a ride on that familiar person out of the room that is filled with strangers.

I had to learn about separation anxiety the hard way.

Yesterday Eva was taking her one-hour nap in the evening. Seeing as she has gone to sleep, I went off to take my evening bath. My husband is in another room, tapping away on his laptop, absorbed in work. When I was done, I heard the frantic crying of Eva from inside the room and rushed to her 'rescue'. Judging from the amount of teardrops pooled on her cheeks, she had been crying for a while. It was quite hard to get her to stop but eventually she did and she slept off the fatigue after a bottle of milk.

At 325 am last night she began crying again, this time for milk. I was too tired to get up and so my husband did, only to come back with water instead of milk. By that time, Eva had been crying too long that she refused the milk that I made after and would not, for the love of god, STOP crying. This continued for a good half hour. The father and I kept awake until we could get her to finally stop crying by giving her toys to play with and showing her colourful pictures on the PC. In the middle of the night. Yes. It was torture.

I was beginning to think that a bug might have bit her or she had an upset stomach but it wasn't any of that. It was due to separation anxiety, which I only found after my dinnertime just now, at the babysitter's place.

According to her, babies need a sense of security by the people they know. When you leave the room, they cry immediately or if they have a particular favourite, they would cling to that person regardless of who else was in the room. In my case, the first time I left her in the room crying cemented an idea that her crying will not get me in the room quick enough, and so she has to cry really long, hard and loud. Which was why the second crying session happened in the middle of the night.

Her advice? "If she makes a sound or two in the middle of the night, reassure her that you are around and that she can continue sleeping because you are there. If she returns to sleep, she just needs reassurance. If she stirs some more, she needs something, perhaps she is thirsty or hungry, or her diaper needs changing or she is warm and needs to be relocated."

She adds that "being a mother is a full time job where there is no one to listen to your complaints. You just gotta be there for your kids and be the one that they fully depend on until they grow up and leave the house."

So true.

New Year, New Everything

After leaving my previous company on the last day of 2009, I had what, three days of rest, which did not amount to much when you have an 8-mth old slave-driver.

I started at my new job on the 4th of Jan, worked all the way until yesterday, the 15th of Jan before I could turn my alarm clock off and sleep till the sun shines on my butt. But I am not complaining because it was a whole lot of fun.

The best part about it was I had a chance to work with young adults (old kids) physically, and it was good in the sense that their enthusiasm and willingness to learn rubbed off on me, a sceptic that has been through four years in the working society. After being put through the working class crash course, we see our dreams drift away, unfairness in the office and see ourselves being taken for granted or overworked for peanuts. So, it was a good experience to forget all this and for awhile (even if it was just two days) remember what it was like to have dreams, and the world at the tip of your hands.

The new office was a huge change to my previous two jobs, working-condition-wise. One of the best features was that I did not have to punch in or out; nobody keeps track on when you come in to work or what time you left for home the previous night. The downside to this is that there is a reason this came to be, and I'm quite sure it's not because the boss is a generous bloke (he's in truth a really nice guy, down-to-earth and gets his hands dirty all the time).

Whatever it was that they told you in the interview room, they expect more from you when you are become an actual staff member. One, you have to help out with the events that were carried out by the company, including fairs, dinners, team-building adventures, get-together lunch, seminars, etc. In this month alone, I helped out at a fair and next week there will be an appreciation dinner for company clients.

The new job truthfully is taking a lot of my personal time, either from introducing me to fatigue that prevents me from enjoying my daughter's company after working hours, or by making me work weekends and staying back after the dusk. But I do have a better sense of accomplishment in what I do, and I'm making more of a difference (even if it is just a little bit more) currently than I have in the past four years.

I'm just hoping that the sacrifices I've had to make is worth it on the long run.

2009: A YEARLY REVIEW

Every end of the year, bloggers would reflect on the passing year and highlight their favourite moments of the year. I can't fly and I don't have super powers, hence, like other bloggers, I jump on this egoistic wagon too, for what good is a blog if you can't write whatever you want without caring what other people think, once in a while?

I cried a lot this year.

I cried when Susan Boyle first sang on stage and wowed everyone including Simon Cowell.

I cried when I watched the four-minute montage of Carl and Ellie (from Pixar's animated movie UP) getting married and growing old together.

I balled my eyes out when I was watching 99 balloons, the heart-breaking video made by a couple showing their short 99 days with their baby (I'm already tearing up now) who succumbed to Trisomy 18.

I cried when Yasmin Ahmad died of a stroke in July and in the car when I heard this lovely song Pergi on the radio; the song was showcased in one of Yasmin's last works Talentime.

There are also a lot of other occasions where tears were the only consolation to the soul but who can dwell only on sadness all year long? There had to moments were this little ol' blogger was excited, happy and so darn proud of someone or something, right?

Of course, there are. One of which was the 15Malaysia project which features Pete Teo's efforts in showcasing the works of talented Malaysian film makers and taking them onto the world stage. Stories like Meter featuring Khairy Jamaluddin and the always humorous (and bloody talented) Baki Zainal, Halal featuring Adibah Noor and Man in Chicken Suit, and Potong Saga featuring Namewee who also just recently caused a media frenzy when he posted a video online showing him giving TNB Muar a piece of his mind in the middle of a blackout back in his hometown. He should visit Tawau sometimes, I'm sure the citizens there would welcome him on a red carpet. with flowers. and a live band.

News from home: there was my uncle Soo Wei who participated and came in runner up in the Astro's Classic Golden Melodies Singing competition 2009. When he reached the semifinals, my daughter Eva C, came along. And just in time for me to be reunited with a long lost Aunt of mine who is all the way in Canada now through the powers of the Internet.

Speaking of which, there were plenty going on in Malaysian news as well, things like the change in teaching medium from English back to Malay. Being an opinionated loud-mouth, you can be sure I said something about it. They went ahead and switch it anyways, if you didn't already know. Apart from that, there is the MCA issue ending in a half-hearted unity plan and no end in sight. Plus, the MACC vs Teoh Beng Hock saga, the billion-dollar Port Klang Free Zone issue which ended(?) in the arrest of several project directors. Sigh.. I wonder how many other corruption stories are left to be unearthed.

Speaking of money, one of biggest consequences from the 2009 budget was the credit card tax of RM50 to be charged for every card and for every year used. It wasn't just me who said something about it, sharing some of the same sentiments as HHTan's. LTM, Karl Heinz, KFSee, Cheng Poh among others like ME P.Gunasegaram also shared their opinions on the credit card issue. A noisy lot yes, but at least we said something about it and as we reach the end of the year, at least some good came of it.

Internationally, the year has also been filled with much tragedy and loss. There were many high- and low-profile deaths like those of Michael Jackson (foulplay?), David Carradine (bedroom-antics went wrong), Natasha Richardson (ski accident), Stephan Gately of Boyzone (natural death), Jane Goody, Patrick Swayze and Farah Fawcett (cancers), Brittany Murphy (stroke?), and Kim Peek (heart attack).

2009 was also the year of Barack Obama, Tiger Woods, Madoff, Chris Brown vs Rihanna, the pandemic of H1N1, a record number of police reports lodged by Malaysian politicians not to mention so many by-elections that will keep you busy until 2012.

Let's hope for a 2010 to be better but no less as interesting as 2009. Or else, what would we blog about?

COUPLE LOSES FOUR CHILDREN IN RIVERSIDE ACCIDENT

The Star Online > 21 December 2009

FOUR SIBLINGS FEARED DROWNED

KUCHING: Four young siblings were feared to have drowned after they fell into the Rejang River in Sungai Labaan near Sibu.

The four are brothers Wong Sie Kong, 12, and Sie Hou, eight, and sisters Sie Sang, 10, and Sie See, six.

The siblings, together with their parents, were looking for molluscs when the incident happened at about 3pm on Sunday. Their parents are safe.

Sibu acting police chief Supt Zamani Hamdan said a search and rescue operation involving three boats and about 25 police, fire and rescue services and civil defence personnel had been mounted for the missing children.

The family has chartered speedboats to join in the search, which was on-going at press time.

“The four children were walking in front of their parents when the incident happened.

“Their father managed to hold on his wife as she slipped down the riverbank,” Suopt Zamani told The Star when contacted Monday.

However, he said the couple failed to save their children as they slipped into the river.

Wong Yew Tiong, 40, his wife Tang Teck Leh, 35, and their four children had earlier visited a relative before they went to the nearby river to look for the molluscs.

The family is from Permai,Oya Road, Sibu.

Supt Zamani said a police team rushed to the scene at about 5pm after they were informed of the incident.

A worried Wong and family members, who were at the scene Monday, were praying for the safe return of the children.

However, Wong said the family is preparing for the worst.

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Update: 23 December 2009, 4.47pm press time, it was reported that the last of the 4 bodies of the siblings have been found. Arrangements are being made for a joint funeral to the four children lost to the ravages of the Rejang river.

I can only offer my condolences to the parents of the four lovely children (your heart will break like mine did if you see their photographs in the newspaper) and hope that in time their broken hearts will be able to heal from this.