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khairun_atika's review
3.0
"Don't become like peas that forget their pod, like all those who went to university, succeeded and then became wealthy and had beautiful wives, only to forget their own people. They even sided with the colonisers. They became the colonisers' dogs, their agents! Don't you become like that, Adi. If you lived such a life, your life would be no different than that of a dog!" Confrontation by Mohamed Latiff Mohamed, translated by Shafiq Selamat.
It is always illuminating to read historical fiction based on our humble country's short yet colourful history. The combined elements of trauma and nostalgia make for a very sobering and intriguing read.
In Confrontation, the simple yet lively community of Kampung Pak Buyung is in the spotlight. The core of the story is a bildungsroman of sorts for the protagonist, Adi. Unassuming and curious, Adi is the point of contact for most of the villagers.
There seems to be a struggle for a semblance of normalcy in the dysfunction of Kampung Pak Buyung - from Abang Dolah's black magic and Quran lessons, to the informal adoption of unwanted baby Pungut, to the common law marriage of the still-married Kak Habsah. What seems to be a simple life is marred by the dark realities of life - poverty, illness, addiction and domestic abuse.
In the midst of the many dysfunctions, the political shifts and movements in 1960s Singapore looms over the residents of Kampung Pak Buyung. The author paints an intriguing portrait of the key moments of Singapore's history - from the formation of political parties, to the founding of Malay schools, to the racial riots in the middle of a religious procession and most prominently, her merger and separation with Malaysia.
The illustrations of a 1960s village in Singapore are succinct and filled with imagery - from the leaking roofs of Adi's house to the mee rebus seller of Geylang Serai. The author is often elaborate and comprehensive in his prose, and the book is filled with many colourful characters and eventful situations. This book is a wonderful portrayal of Singapore's history, of village life in the midst of political turmoil. It is a book very well worth reading.
It is always illuminating to read historical fiction based on our humble country's short yet colourful history. The combined elements of trauma and nostalgia make for a very sobering and intriguing read.
In Confrontation, the simple yet lively community of Kampung Pak Buyung is in the spotlight. The core of the story is a bildungsroman of sorts for the protagonist, Adi. Unassuming and curious, Adi is the point of contact for most of the villagers.
There seems to be a struggle for a semblance of normalcy in the dysfunction of Kampung Pak Buyung - from Abang Dolah's black magic and Quran lessons, to the informal adoption of unwanted baby Pungut, to the common law marriage of the still-married Kak Habsah. What seems to be a simple life is marred by the dark realities of life - poverty, illness, addiction and domestic abuse.
In the midst of the many dysfunctions, the political shifts and movements in 1960s Singapore looms over the residents of Kampung Pak Buyung. The author paints an intriguing portrait of the key moments of Singapore's history - from the formation of political parties, to the founding of Malay schools, to the racial riots in the middle of a religious procession and most prominently, her merger and separation with Malaysia.
The illustrations of a 1960s village in Singapore are succinct and filled with imagery - from the leaking roofs of Adi's house to the mee rebus seller of Geylang Serai. The author is often elaborate and comprehensive in his prose, and the book is filled with many colourful characters and eventful situations. This book is a wonderful portrayal of Singapore's history, of village life in the midst of political turmoil. It is a book very well worth reading.
rachyrexaphous's review
informative
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? No
4.0
dustyduck's review
3.0
More a portrayal of kampung life than exploration of political themes, the latter of which is largely embodied by a well-written but somewhat insulated character. The verisimilitude of life in the village - neither carefree nor stinking slum, but filled with human life and humming relationships - is well done, though.
pagesofelly's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
This was a refreshing read, a story told by a voice that speaks to my soul. In Confrontation, we witness and learn the complexities of everyday life in Kampung Pak Buyung. It is an intriguing exploration into of a unique and fundamental moment in Singapore's history from the perspectives of villagers themselves struggling to define what "Merdeka!" (the rallying cry of independence) can truly mean. Through the unique perspective of the young Malay boy Adi, this pivotal moment is uncovered with masterful clarity as we witness the growing awareness that Adi gains - of what it means to build and rebuild a state where everyone will speak his language.
Set in the harrowing period of 1960s Singapore, this novel is a crucial read on how it must have been to experience the anxiety and loss of the Malay community, leading up to the separation of Singapore from Malaysia. It invites a deep reflection on how it is to feel alienated from one's own land. Personally, I began to think about the fact that our national language being Malay language - yet, how insignificant that fact is in our day-to-day life... It always pains me to realize that many (Singaporeans included) do not know that Malay language is the national language of Singapore. Having to share and explain why that is is always so exhausting. While many of us in Singapore (Malays and non-Malays) are anglicized, it's a beautiful dream I hold on to that we become "effectively bilingual" in English language and our national language. Wouldn't that be so cool if I can speak to everyone in Malay language - to think it was a reality back in our shared past. Well, maybe I can start by writing my book reviews in Malay language eh? Who say cannot kan?
Set in the harrowing period of 1960s Singapore, this novel is a crucial read on how it must have been to experience the anxiety and loss of the Malay community, leading up to the separation of Singapore from Malaysia. It invites a deep reflection on how it is to feel alienated from one's own land. Personally, I began to think about the fact that our national language being Malay language - yet, how insignificant that fact is in our day-to-day life... It always pains me to realize that many (Singaporeans included) do not know that Malay language is the national language of Singapore. Having to share and explain why that is is always so exhausting. While many of us in Singapore (Malays and non-Malays) are anglicized, it's a beautiful dream I hold on to that we become "effectively bilingual" in English language and our national language. Wouldn't that be so cool if I can speak to everyone in Malay language - to think it was a reality back in our shared past. Well, maybe I can start by writing my book reviews in Malay language eh? Who say cannot kan?
femmenova's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Confrontation follows Adi as he navigates his childhood to his youth days against the backdrop of post-colonial Singapore to the Malay community. Adi is accompanied and guided by Abang Dolah, a bomoh and a political activist, as he figures out his own political ideology and how he can emerge a successful Malay man against the stereotype created by white men.
I find that the author writes women in a way that is rather violent and that the portrayal of the nonverbal baby to be full of ableism. Often, the writer repeats the description of a woman and only takes into consideration her physical appearance rather than anything else. Perhaps, we can say that this is a significant story-telling function to show how women were being viewed in the past. But, I find the repetition of the description "voluptuous" to describe women were off-putting. I get it that women are victims of patriarchy and therefore, the violence that comes with it. But is it soooo hard to write about women that are beyond "sexy" or "victims of rape/domestic violence"?
You can find me at @therightidia (Instagram) for more (partial) bookish content!
I find that the author writes women in a way that is rather violent and that the portrayal of the nonverbal baby to be full of ableism. Often, the writer repeats the description of a woman and only takes into consideration her physical appearance rather than anything else. Perhaps, we can say that this is a significant story-telling function to show how women were being viewed in the past. But, I find the repetition of the description "voluptuous" to describe women were off-putting. I get it that women are victims of patriarchy and therefore, the violence that comes with it. But is it soooo hard to write about women that are beyond "sexy" or "victims of rape/domestic violence"?
You can find me at @therightidia (Instagram) for more (partial) bookish content!
Content Warnings
Nothing completely explicit. It's all one-liners of the event that had happened. But, the book contains mentions of domestic violence, sexual assault, rape, ableism towards nonverbal children, and foster parental violence towards adopted children (this is pretty graphic).
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