Reviews

Malay Sketches by Alfian Sa'at

windupsheep's review

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

smarkies's review

emotional funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

dreamsinfiction's review

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

This was a refreshing read - I liked how Alfian Saat went beyond the normal characterisations of the community, and portrayed us as normal human beings too. 

Favourites are: The Convert, Village Radio, After the Dusk Prayers, The Howling

slightlyliterary's review

emotional lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

A collection of (really, REALLY short—like 1-5 pages) stories that read as snapshots of the lived experiences of Malays in Singapore. I really enjoyed its slice-of-life presentation and its exploration of feelings/thoughts throughout one’s day-to-day routines. Would encourage everyone to give this a go!

Side note; I should read more of Alfian Sa’at’s short stories because these ones were toooo short for my liking; there were some that made me wish they were longer.

Some stories I liked:
- Cold Comfort
- The Sendoff
- A Howling
- Reunion
- A Toyol Story
- Second Take
- The Drawer
- Visitors
- Two Brothers 

wrackcity's review

emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0

klwest's review

funny reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

arifahmalik's review

emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

diyanah's review

emotional informative reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

feeffoof's review

5.0

So much love for this book!!!!

Really felt like I was discovering a part of my heritage I somehow knew existed, but revisited it with touching stories. 

Thought-provoking at times, but otherwise sentimental and a beautiful and wonderful read. 

Recommended to everyone!!!! SUPPORT LOCAL TALENT!!!!!!!!

zhynxd's review

5.0

Absolutely stellar!!!! I truly loved what he did in this book. Alfian Sa'at raised so many pertinent points and highlighted so many key issues in our country in the most elegant and interesting ways! Was expecting a lot as we read one of the stories for class and of course not all stories were all on the same standard (but it may honestly be more due to my inability to pick up on and decipher the subtle nuances he weaves in) His writing style is also really beautiful and I love the way he uses elements of Malay culture and put them in parallel with the character's plights. The stories also gives voice to many overlooked and underexamined groups in society. I do wish that he could have more showing instead of telling but that may just be his writing style. It was also just a small minus so all in all it's 10/10.

Below are the stories that hit me I'm various ways :
1. A hantu Tetek story (tw: gory descriptions)
2. Cold comfort (!!!!!)
4. Sacrifice (!!!!)
6. Shallow focus
9. Proof (!!!!)
10. The hole
12. The sendoff (!!!!) (Tw: gory descriptions and corpse)
13. A howling (!!!!!)
14. A Pontianak story
15. His birthday present
16. A toyol story (!!!!)
17. Second take (!!!!)
18. Visitors (!!!!)
19. The Borrowed boy (!!!!)
20. the starry hill (!!!!)
21. Child (!!!!)

As you can see this is a pretty long list and this was after I deleted a few BC the list was getting too long and becoming a bit pointless.