Friday, February 08, 2008

I Have Begun...To Read Pramoedya

Early last evening, our bro MS dropped over my area for a teh tarik and...to loan me his book 'This Earth of Mankind' by Pramoedya Ananta Toer. And for the whole of last night, I did not even attempt to begin reading it. Instead, I placed it standing on my PC table like it was a much clamoured piece of art and stealing only glimpses of it, just like a girl would with someone she finds attractive. But off course, I am no girl nor a lady, but just a man who has taken a sudden mystifying interest about the book.

Early this morning, I took the book into my hands and looked at it from all the possible angles and then allowed my finger to caress the slightly coarse cover. A certain aura envelops me every time I look and touch the book. Then I slowly turn the pages, reading each line, as slowly as I can while fighting the urge to speed read through. No. This will be one book which I will take pleasure in reading it slow. I will savour each word, each line, each paragraph, just as a chef would with the food of his choice. I will immerse myself into this book and am certain I will find it a delicacy to my eyes and mind. When I am done, I will lie on the bed, my senses fulfilled and brimming with delight. And if I feel up to it, I may even write about the book. But to what avail the words of literature busker when compared to a master?

Pramoedya, I have begun reading 'This Earh of Mankind'; will you reveal your mystery to me?

6 comments:

Lily Abdullah said...

Salam Shah,

I just read "Keluarga Gerila" a few years ago. May be need to read more :)

Saya percaya mata pena kadangkala membunuh manusia itu mampu mendidik kita menjadi manusia. Terpulang kepada apayang kita tulis dan baca.

cakapaje said...

Wa'alaikumusalam WL,

Only yesterday MS told me about 'Keluarga Gerila'. Well, since I am not an arts student and was never in form 6 of high school, I never knew of the title before. InsyAllah, soon after this I will look for the book. Thank you, WL :)

tokasid said...

Salam Shah:

After our bro MS reviewed the book, a week later someone reviewed in for the Star but I like bro MS's review more.
Saw the book at Borders when we met but didn't pick it up.I have 2 more books to finish( one is an old history text book I found at MIL's place).

Then I'll go to MPH or Popular or Thai Kuang( these are the 3 big bookstores in Melaka, sigh...).Maybe after election.Have to go to war first,right?

Unknown said...

fighting the urge to speed read? do let us know of any tips when you've find a way of doing so..

cakapaje said...

Wa'alaikumusalam Doc,

Personally, I love history - but now lah, dulu kek sekolah tak suka! lol! And because I am a man who seldom venture into Malls and the likes, I have an admission to make: it is only today I know that Borders is a bookstore! (malu den dibueknya) ;)

War! Yes! The blue-flagged yellowlegs! Me um name Shah The Sitting On The Bull, will go war with them! My um tomahawk got shine like mirror...war I go and bring yellowlegs scalp. But I need shampoo! :)

InsyAllah! This time around, there's so much to do.

cakapaje said...

Salam Minci,

Hmm...tricky thing you asking me to do. First, I am - like I mentioned - fighting the urge. This does not mean I am successful yet. Then, waduh waduh waduh nona manis Minci, mesti ada pengeras nya baru boleh turunkan ilmu saya :)

Apologies, I am in a 'miong' mood currently. But, if ever you have worked as a spellchecker (tak ingat actual term for it) or with someone in the same capacity, then the way to fight the urge is to read one word at a time, then one letter at a time of the same word. Hmm...at this rate, I'll be a grandfather first before I finish the book. lol!