brewingwriter's review
4.0
Thank you Times Reads for sending me a review copy.
It is my first time reading a book by an Indonesian author and it did not disappoint.
This book has many elements that challenged me intellectually - history and politics of Indonesia, subtle Hindu mythology, motherhood, sexuality and art. I would have been able to enjoy the book more if I was well equipped with knowledge revolving around Indonesian history and politics. I guess that’s the best thing about reading, it feeds your mind something new every day.
Siri is an illegitimate child of Amba and Bhisma. She is also an artist and a mother (a child which she did not bare from her womb). She has fled to Berlin in hopes of escaping the pain and grief of loss.
The story portrays three women of different generations that have fates so similar, yet different, making their lives intertwine seamlessly.
I sympathize with Siri but her consistent melancholy throughout the chapters bored me midway of the book. However, later in the book, stories about her life unravels and I understand why she seems to be depressed a lot of the time.
The chapters fluctuate between the POV of Siri and her best friend turned foe, Dara. I found Dara’s POV more engaging to read. Although this book is complex, the author has a poetic way of writing that makes it easy to read.
This book has taught me to savour art when looking at it, to think of what it means to me and what it might mean to the artist. The author describes several famous art pieces. While reading, I find myself searching up those art pieces to have a better vision of it.
Besides that, this books also portrays that running away from family chaos may not the best thing to do and the pain of loss must be dealt in an adaptive manner to avoid psychological distress.
Fall baby is a sequel to ‘The Question of Red’ which I am intrigued by Amba and Bhisma’s unrequited love story that is set in Indonesia during the Communist times. I can see myself picking up a copy of ‘The Question of Red’ very soon!
It is my first time reading a book by an Indonesian author and it did not disappoint.
This book has many elements that challenged me intellectually - history and politics of Indonesia, subtle Hindu mythology, motherhood, sexuality and art. I would have been able to enjoy the book more if I was well equipped with knowledge revolving around Indonesian history and politics. I guess that’s the best thing about reading, it feeds your mind something new every day.
Siri is an illegitimate child of Amba and Bhisma. She is also an artist and a mother (a child which she did not bare from her womb). She has fled to Berlin in hopes of escaping the pain and grief of loss.
The story portrays three women of different generations that have fates so similar, yet different, making their lives intertwine seamlessly.
I sympathize with Siri but her consistent melancholy throughout the chapters bored me midway of the book. However, later in the book, stories about her life unravels and I understand why she seems to be depressed a lot of the time.
The chapters fluctuate between the POV of Siri and her best friend turned foe, Dara. I found Dara’s POV more engaging to read. Although this book is complex, the author has a poetic way of writing that makes it easy to read.
This book has taught me to savour art when looking at it, to think of what it means to me and what it might mean to the artist. The author describes several famous art pieces. While reading, I find myself searching up those art pieces to have a better vision of it.
Besides that, this books also portrays that running away from family chaos may not the best thing to do and the pain of loss must be dealt in an adaptive manner to avoid psychological distress.
Fall baby is a sequel to ‘The Question of Red’ which I am intrigued by Amba and Bhisma’s unrequited love story that is set in Indonesia during the Communist times. I can see myself picking up a copy of ‘The Question of Red’ very soon!
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