Okay, this is the book I’ve just read. I found this book on
Goodreads on my book-walking. Those days were the days I missed reading a
novel or book –fyi, I didn’t read novels for a very long time– and I think I
was pretty excited to choose what books should I buy, that really fill my
taste. After some times spending on this book-walking, I found this Indonesian
novel by Tasaro titled “Galaksi Kinanthi” (in English “Kinanthi’s Galaxy”) so
interesting. It’s included in Indonesian’s Best Book category by Goodreads. And
when I read its official review also its readers, I got this “must-bought”
feeling. I was captured by its tag line: “Sekali mencintai sudah itu mati?” (english:
“Love once then die?”). From its review, I know that it’s a romance novel.
Moreover, there’s a review that wrote: “It’s about a 20 years love unsaid
love”, and I directly think, “How can be, a love still exist for 20 years
without any confession?” Then two days later, I was planning to look for it in
Palasari, a book market in Bandung that usually have a cheaper price than the
ones in big book store, and I got it for Rp 42.000,00 (USD 5) when usually it’s sold
for Rp 60.000,00 (USD 7) in the store. ^^
I didn’t read it directly after I arrived at my boarding house. I was planning to read it when I’m home in Magelang. I was planning on
coming home few days later back then. So when I finally came home, I read it.
First chapter, I was welcomed with some poetic lines that maybe a little bit
“heavy” for someone who doesn’t really love literature, and I was like, “Did I
buy the wrong novel?”. Then after I finished the first chapter and moved on
to next chapters, I was so drowned into the story. Maybe it’s because the culture
background as Javanese that connects us and some places that I'm familiar with, so
that I can picture some plots clearly in my mind.
So, the main story of this book is about romance, a love
story that lasts for 20 years without any confession because
they were parted by some situations. But the side stories of it vary from human trafficking, slaving, lifestyle, even religion (in this book is Islam).
The main characters in this book are Kinanthi and Ajuj. They were childhood friends
until someday Kinanthi was “traded” by her parents with 50 kg of rice because
of their economic condition. Kinanthi was sold one to another “agencies” from
Bandung to Jakarta, then Egypt, Cairo, Kuwait, and finally brought to America.
She was having really hard times then finally she got her freedom in America
and became an American. She succeeded as a doctor and writer, then she decided
to write a novel more or less about her love story with Ajuj. And the main conflicts
began there, when she had to go back to Indonesia after almost 20 years and
make a “release” of her feeling. There’s also a triangle love conflict between Kinanthi, Ajuj, and Zhaxi –Kinanthi’s editor who’s been beside her for a long time-. And
what I can tell is, the ending is very unpredictable till the last page! Literary.
What I love from this novel is there are so many lines that
really inspiring and getting right through the heart. Ngejleb pisan lah (>0<). I
also love its theme: Galaxy, about stars which I love much. Here are some lines
that I love:
“Sementara, pada jeda yang engkau buat bisu, sewaktu langit meriah oleh benda-benda yang berpijar, ketika lagu menyeretmu ke masa lalu, wajahnya memenuhi setiap sudutmu.” -Virgo.
“Lihat saja nanti. Hidup ini akan berjalan terus atau berhenti mati.” -Vulpecula.
“Mencintai seorang bajingan akan membuat hidup anda menjadi lebih mudah. Sehebat apapun perasaan anda kepadanya, pikiran rasional anda akan mengatakan, ‘Sudahlah, dia hanya sampah. Kau akan menemukan orang baru yang jauh lebih bermutu.’ Sesulit apapun, anda akan bisa melepaskan dia.” -Vela
Those are just some of my favorite quotes, and there are so many
more! You just need to read it for yourself. And there’s my other favorite
thing about this book, each chapter was named by the star constellation. I
JUST LOVE THE STARS!! I’m sorry I’m kinda subjective here, but who cares, it’s
my blog anyway. =p
But still there are some things I don’t really like, the
story line was just too unfocused. I hardly said it was a romance novel, most of
middle chapters were talking about Kinanthi’s life-struggling for almost 20
years after parted with Ajuj without any interaction or story about their love.
And one more, sometimes it gives some long lines explanation about something in
the middle of a story, that for me, kind of disturbing the line. Okay, I
got much new knowledge from this book, from those explanation line, but still
sometimes it’s just not on the right place to explain.
Overall, I love the concept and story line. Even though it
talks about Islam, for real, it only tells from a culture-effect point of view
like in sociology, not fundamental and dictator. So from my point of view, it’s
okay for a non-Moslem to read it, you will feel like reading a culture literature,
not a religious one. Moreover, it gives me more information about some
things I don’t really know before. I would give 4 stars out of 5 for it,
especially when I know that this book was inspired by a true story. It’s a must
read book if you love unordinary romance novel just like me. Just try it for
yourself and enjoy reading folks!
Adios! ^^
