dlberglund's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent, upsetting, and hopeful fiction that is both a history lesson (for many of us, I assume) about 1969 Malaysia, and also a story about working through anxiety and OCD when mental health treatment is not a possibility. Both of those angles were heavy and distressing to read about, but the author’s storytelling and descriptions were compelling. I was completely ignorant about the time and place, and this story floored me. Melati's point of view is helpful is that although she is 16, she seems mostly in the dark about politics when the story begins. Therefore, she is able to share her confusion with the reader while reflecting about what she already knows. The world is such a big place, and I have so much to learn. (If anyone has recommendations for what to read after this to continue my education on Malaysia, I'd love to hear them.)
I didn't consider this book perfect because of the (not unexpected, but still problematic) massive reduction of many of her OCD symptoms at the end. While stress can wreak havoc with anxiety disorders, and I am certainly not an expert on this, it seemed too much of a fantastic resolution.
I didn't consider this book perfect because of the (not unexpected, but still problematic) massive reduction of many of her OCD symptoms at the end. While stress can wreak havoc with anxiety disorders, and I am certainly not an expert on this, it seemed too much of a fantastic resolution.
burstnwithbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This was a super quick and somehow very timely book. I really appreciated the writing and the story, and I’ll definitely look into more from this author in the future.
aizataffendi's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to like this book, I really did.. but halfway through, I was already thinking of putting it down never to pick it back up again. But I thought that I should just proceed given that this was a book club pick to commemorate the Merdeka Month (Malaysia's National Month), a book that my friends and I chose because it was written by a local author and that it revolves around one of the darkest tragedies in our national history. The book started out really flat and although the plot picked up a few chapters after that, it went flat again before the end. I didn't know that the book talks about OCD too and as someone who was diagnosed with OCD a few years back, I was hoping that I could relate to the protagonist more when I first started reading it. But alas, I didn't and I had a really hard time reading the parts when she was bombarded with her intrusive thoughts (which she regards as the workings of a Djinn who lives inside her head). I felt very annoyed that they were repetitive (always the same thoughts and the persistent tappings. I think the author need not go all descriptive every single time it happens) that I just glossed through these parts as I progressed further into the book. As the other reviews have mentioned, I was also disappointed that there was a lack of character development and that there were a lot of missed opportunities to weave more details of the 13th May event itself with the plot that would have evoked a pensive mood amongst the readers as they draw out valuable lessons from the bloody event and learn to better appreciate the relative peace that we get to enjoy in Malaysia now. Re the repetitive descriptions of Melati's incessant Djinn/intrusive thoughts, I felt that the title "The Weight of Melati's Djinn" would have been more apt for the book.
girlreading's review against another edition
5.0
4.75* A beautifully put together story of a young girls desperate journey to reunite with her mother, despite the riots in the streets and the one in her mind.
There was an air of tension hovering over each sentence in this book and an urgency that made me anxious with every page I turned. I thought the candid, raw approach to Melati’s OCD and anxiety was fantastic. It brilliantly explored how debilitating and isolating mental illness can be at times, whilst also being hopeful, showing that having a mental illness doesn’t define you, nor does it prevent you from having an incredible amount of strength and bravery.
Despite going through so much in such a short amount of time, I loved the way Alkaf managed to make Melati and the way she reacted to the situation she found herself in, feel incredibly genuine.
Shamefully, I knew next to nothing about the 1969 Malaysian race riots prior to reading this book and while this book inspired me to do further reading of the event, I was awed by the way in which Alkaf depicted them. It was a brilliantly balanced illustration of the events that gave enough information for someone who knew nothing about them to easily follow the story, as well as learning about this important historic event.
Another aspect I absolutely adored? The trigger warnings in the authors note at the begging. It’s so simple and easy to do but can make a world of difference to readers. And to authors adamantly against trigger warnings, it didn’t spoil anything and made me appreciate the book and author ever more.
Personally, I felt the ending was a little rushed and despite liking the way it concluded, I wish it had been expanded on a little further. However, I think the fact that the only criticism I have of this book basically comes down to ‘I didn’t want it to end’, I think it’s safe to say I thought this book was superb.
If you’re looking for a beautifully written story featuring wonderful characters, strong relationships and a plot that will have your heart pumping from start to finish, The Weight of Our Sky is a must read.
TW: OCD, ableist language, ableism, racism, panic attacks, anxiety
There was an air of tension hovering over each sentence in this book and an urgency that made me anxious with every page I turned. I thought the candid, raw approach to Melati’s OCD and anxiety was fantastic. It brilliantly explored how debilitating and isolating mental illness can be at times, whilst also being hopeful, showing that having a mental illness doesn’t define you, nor does it prevent you from having an incredible amount of strength and bravery.
Despite going through so much in such a short amount of time, I loved the way Alkaf managed to make Melati and the way she reacted to the situation she found herself in, feel incredibly genuine.
Shamefully, I knew next to nothing about the 1969 Malaysian race riots prior to reading this book and while this book inspired me to do further reading of the event, I was awed by the way in which Alkaf depicted them. It was a brilliantly balanced illustration of the events that gave enough information for someone who knew nothing about them to easily follow the story, as well as learning about this important historic event.
Another aspect I absolutely adored? The trigger warnings in the authors note at the begging. It’s so simple and easy to do but can make a world of difference to readers. And to authors adamantly against trigger warnings, it didn’t spoil anything and made me appreciate the book and author ever more.
Personally, I felt the ending was a little rushed and despite liking the way it concluded, I wish it had been expanded on a little further. However, I think the fact that the only criticism I have of this book basically comes down to ‘I didn’t want it to end’, I think it’s safe to say I thought this book was superb.
If you’re looking for a beautifully written story featuring wonderful characters, strong relationships and a plot that will have your heart pumping from start to finish, The Weight of Our Sky is a must read.
TW: OCD, ableist language, ableism, racism, panic attacks, anxiety
bethkneee's review against another edition
4.0
Having grown up hearing stories occasionally of these events that happened during 13th May in my home country, it never really felt surreal. Reading this book has opened my eyes to just how horrific the reality of the situation was. It is unfathomable just how traumatic it must have been for everyone who experienced it. Hanna Alkaf did an amazing job unveiling this part of history that we rarely speak of.
eviegomez's review against another edition
4.0
As a Malaysian, I have grown up learning about the 1969 race riots so when I saw this, a YA (historical) fiction book, based on this specific event in our country’s history I really had no idea how the issue would be tackled in this genre.
It was definitely not what I expected - much darker than what I thought, Alkaf does not shy away from the violent destruction that tore through KL, and yet the topic was deftly handled with care and the violence depicted was never gratuitous. It was honest and sincere even as it tackled a myriad of heavy issues (CW: racism, graphic depictions of violence, depictions of on-page death, detailed descriptions of multiple anxiety and panic attacks).
This book is important for all Malaysians, especially today as we see ourselves in still stuck in the same cycle of racial divisions and discrimination, exacerbated by those in power.
My actual rating is a 4.5 as I felt the scenes of Melati looking for her mother were quite repetitive and dragged out and due to this the ending felt very rushed but I am incredibly happy to see such an unapologetically Malaysian writer making big strides in the international arena and I am looking forward to Alkaf’s future books!
It was definitely not what I expected - much darker than what I thought, Alkaf does not shy away from the violent destruction that tore through KL, and yet the topic was deftly handled with care and the violence depicted was never gratuitous. It was honest and sincere even as it tackled a myriad of heavy issues (CW: racism, graphic depictions of violence, depictions of on-page death, detailed descriptions of multiple anxiety and panic attacks).
This book is important for all Malaysians, especially today as we see ourselves in still stuck in the same cycle of racial divisions and discrimination, exacerbated by those in power.
My actual rating is a 4.5 as I felt the scenes of Melati looking for her mother were quite repetitive and dragged out and due to this the ending felt very rushed but I am incredibly happy to see such an unapologetically Malaysian writer making big strides in the international arena and I am looking forward to Alkaf’s future books!
nwfloo's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
asteries's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
amruta_reads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
mumitrolly's review against another edition
5.0
from the very moment i read the author notes i fell in love with hanna alkaf and her writing. i felt her passion and love for her writing and her vision for her characters. the research she must've done to make sure this setting in malayshia feel real in terms of good and bad times with the changes within just a couple of days.
i do not have ocd i cant speak for the repersentation but compared to pther books i have read of similiar disabilities and relating my own repeativeness within my autism it felt very real. the fear and just knowing doing something like repeating something or a word over and over would make you happy. but also would werid everyone out around you is a very lonely feeling.
i really loved this story and just reading from to the acknowledgements as well really assured me i am now a hanna alkaf fan and i cant wait to read more from her
i do not have ocd i cant speak for the repersentation but compared to pther books i have read of similiar disabilities and relating my own repeativeness within my autism it felt very real. the fear and just knowing doing something like repeating something or a word over and over would make you happy. but also would werid everyone out around you is a very lonely feeling.
i really loved this story and just reading from to the acknowledgements as well really assured me i am now a hanna alkaf fan and i cant wait to read more from her