Hello book lovers!
Now I want to make a book review from Indonesian's authors who's my friend from Makassar. She wrote this by the research and I'm so pleasure to read and write a review for her books. So, enjoy!
Book Title: Elang | Author: Amy Djafar | Publisher: Orbit | Year Published: First Print 2020 | Book Thickness: 270 pp. | ISBN: 978-623-7623-35-1
The Plot
The novel with a white cover with a picture of a girl whose back is covered with leaves can immediately make me imagine that this novel is close to environmental issues. Or at least have points about the environment that will lead the reader to understand how important the environment is for the life of creatures on earth. Honestly, I like the cover design. Interesting, but simple and implies a lot of meaning.
Tells the story of Elang Gadisha, a girl who loves the culinary world, and gets a message from her grandfather through a black-bound book. The message finally made him experience an adventure to be able to understand the many meanings of life. An interesting story idea to learn considering the current condition of the earth is increasingly vulnerable. Portraits of life and predictions of bad possibilities in the future if humans are still reluctant to take care of the earth.
The premise at the beginning of the novel is enough to make me curious. What dreams does Elang Gadisha have as the main character? Does it have anything to do with environmental damage? Or what does the dream mean and does it have anything to do with the black-bound book his grandfather gave him?
All the puzzles become an interesting opening to immediately continue the book. But entering the next chapters, the power of the mystery decreases. Apart from the diction that I like, the plot that is built seems to be less strong. Who knows. First, for example, Elang's desire to climb a mountain to follow his grandfather's message, which is to read a black-bound book on a mountain, is still quite on track for me. However, I feel something is missing.
Humans are never satisfied~
What's lacking? Less essential. Especially when the book is lost and Elang just like, "Well, the book is gone, so what are you going to do?"
If it's only about ELang like the book title, this novel can send all kinds of feelings belonging from Elang to the reader. However, if it is intended to discuss environmental issues, I can say that this novel is far from perfect. I hope that the points in this novel can be discussed in detail.
It's a bit far if I hope that the book with the black cover will provide a lot of clues about the environmental issues that this novel is trying to convey. The introduction of karst was only briefly explained when Elang fled to Makassar. It was far from what I imagined that Elang would do something to improve the environment, especially when he finally entered the Nature Lovers UKM on his campus. Not just entering to be able to climb the mountain and for his personal goals.
Second, regarding the application of Causalism. I'm sure if this point is used as the main soul in the Elang novel, it might be an interesting plot considering that not many applications can predict the possibility of natural damage and can be invited to an attractive discussion. Broadly speaking, this idea is brilliant by incorporating modern technology to improve the environment. Unfortunately, once again, I had to swallow my disappointment because Causalism was only used as a decoration or a distraction for Dino's curiosity, Elang's college friend, to Elang.
Regarding Dino's character, which I also regret, Dino is like a ghost. Suddenly it appears, suddenly it's fierce, knowing it's good, suddenly it disappears like an ex who cheated on him. For this time, sorry, I want to say that Dino's character is not clear. He was initially described as arrogant, outgoing, and surrounded by many girls. But in later chapters (even to the end) Dino turns into a mysterious person who then becomes kind to the Eagle with a purpose that is not explained in the novel, whether he feels sorry for or even likes Elang.
Third, the portion of romance that feels odd. True, meeting and liking can make two people bond, but Elang and Bhumi's platonic relationship feels shallow. The meeting that started by accident then made Elang so hurt and chose to run away when he found out that Bhumi was set up with another woman? Yes, I can't just judge, but this feels too much considering they don't have any relationship yet even for just intimate closeness with each other. So that before their chemistry was built, I was presented with the story of Elang's broken heart and it made it tasteless.
Honestly, I was disappointed with the ending. I was disappointed with the contents of the black-bound book. I'm disappointed why Sis Amy doesn't make it more mysterious by disassembling it one by one throughout the novel so that each chapter feels alive and makes me want to continue to find out rather than just putting it at the ending?
My Impression
In the big idea, this novel is really smart, but it still feels half-assed because it includes too many points that can actually be separated or even perfected by developing the details.
So far I can quite get into the story in the novel. How Elang struggles, how complicated life is when his best friend and crush suddenly disappear from his life to the feeling of enthusiasm when he receives a message from his grandfather. A story is full of twists and turns. Also about unexpected encounters that may make us find new meaning in life.
The Elang novel feels quite light and is suitable to be read over afternoon tea. I would still recommend this novel because at least this novel has a spark that will make us all realize that the universe is a part of our lives that must be preserved. Not even exploited arbitrarily.
Overall, this novel makes me miss Jogja, Semarang, and Makassar. Because I have visited all three cities, so I can feel some of those places are calling me to come back. Hahaha.
Happy weekend and happy reading!
I write my original post review in Bahasa Indonesia at my personal blog here