Scan barcode
btwnprintedpgs's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
Why is no one talking about this book?? I get that it's a backlist read, but if you liked The Hate U Give, you'll definitely want to pick up The Weight of Our Sky.
Full disclosure: I'm Chinese Canadian and never learned about May 13, 1969, or the tension between Malays and Chinese people within Malaysia, which led to various race riots through the 60s. A big part of this is likely due to the fact that the number of deaths and injuries that occurred on this day were thought to be fudged to the media, with suspected casualties being over 300 more than the reported 196. Saying that this moment in history wasn't important enough to teach because there weren't enough reported bodies is a heartbreaking fact, but it's also likely due to the race of the parties involved. Either way, thanks to this book, I am now more educated on this historical event, and the present conflicts that still exist (though it's a lot more peaceful nowadays, obviously). Additionally, I am not OCD so I cannot speak to the representation of the illness in this book.
The Weight of Our Sky is a phenomenal story about Melati Ahmad, who has OCD and imagines her mom dying in hundreds of colourful ways, which can only be countered by counting through multiples of 3 (she believes her OCD is a djinn that's taken over her life - it's 1969, and Malaysia is a Muslim state so proper mental health assessments weren't really a thing at the time). When the Chinese-Malay riots begin, she finds herself stranded without a way back to her mother. A Malay herself, she's surprised when a Chinese Auntie takes her home to her family and takes care of her - a kindness during a moment so full of violence and death. As Melati tries to find her way back to her mother, she learns more about the way words can dole out friction and be a poison to the heart, but also be the way to bridge people together.
I can't emphasize enough how amazingly this book was written. The message is really brought home as Melati sees varying perspectives regarding race, hurt, and healing - how it really is the hate and othering of people, whether by race, skin colour, or something else, that really leaves the deepest wounds.
Not only does Melati see the way people react to racism, but we also get to see how people alienate her due to her OCD. In particular, Melati experiences counting compulsions, and that leads to a need to tap her fingers or count out tiles or mutter numbers to herself, especially in times of great distress. She tries to hide it from those around her as she attempts to get through the city because she doesn't want her companions to think she's possessed, or crazy, or to come to any conclusion that makes them think it'd be best if she be left behind.
I am so glad I picked up this book - it was fantastically written and brought to light an event of racism and violence that hasn't made it into our history books (at least, not here in Canada). Definitely recommend, all the stars.
"We bit our tongues when people whispered things behind our backs, or made those sharp little comments to our faces, or even spit on our door [...] But Frankie was so sensitive. He took all those little sharp pokes and kept them in his heart. He started talking back. He started getting into fights. He let them make him bitter."
TW: Racism, multiple scenarios of death (Melati's OCD), grief, descriptions of wounds and injuries
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
World Building: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Pacing: 4.5/5
Overall: 5/5
Full disclosure: I'm Chinese Canadian and never learned about May 13, 1969, or the tension between Malays and Chinese people within Malaysia, which led to various race riots through the 60s. A big part of this is likely due to the fact that the number of deaths and injuries that occurred on this day were thought to be fudged to the media, with suspected casualties being over 300 more than the reported 196. Saying that this moment in history wasn't important enough to teach because there weren't enough reported bodies is a heartbreaking fact, but it's also likely due to the race of the parties involved. Either way, thanks to this book, I am now more educated on this historical event, and the present conflicts that still exist (though it's a lot more peaceful nowadays, obviously). Additionally, I am not OCD so I cannot speak to the representation of the illness in this book.
The Weight of Our Sky is a phenomenal story about Melati Ahmad, who has OCD and imagines her mom dying in hundreds of colourful ways, which can only be countered by counting through multiples of 3 (she believes her OCD is a djinn that's taken over her life - it's 1969, and Malaysia is a Muslim state so proper mental health assessments weren't really a thing at the time). When the Chinese-Malay riots begin, she finds herself stranded without a way back to her mother. A Malay herself, she's surprised when a Chinese Auntie takes her home to her family and takes care of her - a kindness during a moment so full of violence and death. As Melati tries to find her way back to her mother, she learns more about the way words can dole out friction and be a poison to the heart, but also be the way to bridge people together.
I can't emphasize enough how amazingly this book was written. The message is really brought home as Melati sees varying perspectives regarding race, hurt, and healing - how it really is the hate and othering of people, whether by race, skin colour, or something else, that really leaves the deepest wounds.
Not only does Melati see the way people react to racism, but we also get to see how people alienate her due to her OCD. In particular, Melati experiences counting compulsions, and that leads to a need to tap her fingers or count out tiles or mutter numbers to herself, especially in times of great distress. She tries to hide it from those around her as she attempts to get through the city because she doesn't want her companions to think she's possessed, or crazy, or to come to any conclusion that makes them think it'd be best if she be left behind.
I am so glad I picked up this book - it was fantastically written and brought to light an event of racism and violence that hasn't made it into our history books (at least, not here in Canada). Definitely recommend, all the stars.
"We bit our tongues when people whispered things behind our backs, or made those sharp little comments to our faces, or even spit on our door [...] But Frankie was so sensitive. He took all those little sharp pokes and kept them in his heart. He started talking back. He started getting into fights. He let them make him bitter."
TW: Racism, multiple scenarios of death (Melati's OCD), grief, descriptions of wounds and injuries
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
World Building: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Pacing: 4.5/5
Overall: 5/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racism, and Violence
meaghanelizabook's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Racism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and War
astarlia's review against another edition
Really appreciated the ocd rep in this, but couldn't manage the politics
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Hate crime, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Xenophobia, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and War
Themes are managed welli_am_selinam's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence
Minor: Sexual assault
jenns_library's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
joceraptor's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Hate crime, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, and Grief
Moderate: Child death and Death
n_asyikin_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
tense
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
5.0
TW: graphic depictions of violence & death; racism; ableism; mental illnesses relating to OCD
A powerful story that was emotionally heavy, but absolutely critical especially for a Malaysian like me. It explored the cultural dynamics that not only shaped our multi-ethnics interactions (& subsequently, prejudices & racism that contributed to the '69 riot), but also depicted how they could also influenced one's views & approaches to their health, especially relating to mental illnesses.
The 1st person view was encapsulating. Hanna structured Melati's account with full convinction; you'd feel her fear & horror: you were roped into the maelstrom of the riot & her attempts to survive. Also, you were given a glimpse into how she navigated the event while living with OCD. Amidst the fears & attrocities though, there were also beams of kindness & resilience, seen not only in our MC Melati, but also in the likes of Auntie Bee & Vince. Notably though, Hanna never attempted to paint the whole situations in rainbows; the story could get gruesome; even with the "kind" characters, there was prejudicial views, implicating normalization of racism. <\spoiler>
That being said, as a Malaysian, what was frightening to me was the fact that the "logic" shared by the bigots in this story had similarities to those bigots in the current day-and-age. As Hanna stipulated in the author's note, this part of our history was glanced over in our school; our government also likely had "revised" (i.e., a systemic disinformation) the event. I believed this story would allowed Malaysians in particular to contemplate the danger & failure to address racism in our country, one that is commonly weaponised by our politicians to turn us against each other while they maintained a kleptocracy; I hope we can all be like Melati, Auntie Bee, Uncle Chong, Vincent, Jay, & all the people who held the value of humanity highest.
The pacing of this story started out really fast as you were thrown into the chaos from the get-go. It did tapered off a bit in the middle; and at times, it got too emotionally heavy where I personally had to take a step away from it for awhile.
Regardless, I've shed tears of angers & disbeliefs at the displays of cruelty, and I was at the edge of my seats, willing for Melati to survive. Despite the adrenaline, kindness imbedded across the story lingered like the echoes from a gong. The story can be heavy & brutal, but I think that was also necessary, because it acted as a reminder of what dehumanizing others that came from racism can cause.
For this reason, I want to learn more, read-up more on the historical facts of what had happened so I, as a Malaysian, could be better; to contribute to building an antiracist society.
A powerful story that was emotionally heavy, but absolutely critical especially for a Malaysian like me. It explored the cultural dynamics that not only shaped our multi-ethnics interactions (& subsequently, prejudices & racism that contributed to the '69 riot), but also depicted how they could also influenced one's views & approaches to their health, especially relating to mental illnesses.
The 1st person view was encapsulating. Hanna structured Melati's account with full convinction; you'd feel her fear & horror: you were roped into the maelstrom of the riot & her attempts to survive. Also, you were given a glimpse into how she navigated the event while living with OCD. Amidst the fears & attrocities though, there were also beams of kindness & resilience, seen not only in our MC Melati, but also in the likes of Auntie Bee & Vince. Notably though,
That being said, as a Malaysian, what was frightening to me was the fact that the "logic" shared by the bigots in this story had similarities to those bigots in the current day-and-age. As Hanna stipulated in the author's note, this part of our history was glanced over in our school; our government also likely had "revised" (i.e., a systemic disinformation) the event. I believed this story would allowed Malaysians in particular to contemplate the danger & failure to address racism in our country, one that is commonly weaponised by our politicians to turn us against each other while they maintained a kleptocracy; I hope we can all be like Melati, Auntie Bee, Uncle Chong, Vincent, Jay, & all the people who held the value of humanity highest.
The pacing of this story started out really fast as you were thrown into the chaos from the get-go. It did tapered off a bit in the middle; and at times, it got too emotionally heavy where I personally had to take a step away from it for awhile.
Regardless, I've shed tears of angers & disbeliefs at the displays of cruelty, and I was at the edge of my seats, willing for Melati to survive. Despite the adrenaline, kindness imbedded across the story lingered like the echoes from a gong. The story can be heavy & brutal, but I think that was also necessary, because it acted as a reminder of what dehumanizing others that came from racism can cause.
For this reason, I want to learn more, read-up more on the historical facts of what had happened so I, as a Malaysian, could be better; to contribute to building an antiracist society.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Death, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault, Vomit, and Death of parent
More...