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Reviews
FLESH: A Southeast Asian Urban Anthology by Terence Toh, Simon Rowe, Angeline Woon, Cassandra Khaw
athirah_idrus's review
2.0
The book, aptly illustrated on the front cover, like durian, you either love it or hate it. The stories featured in Flesh were either hits or misses to me. I wanted to love the book badly because one; I was intrigued by the cover, two, the book featured Southeast Asian stories that revolved around “Flesh” which included taboo subjects in our culture.
I loved that the word Flesh was given different interpretations covering a huge range on what the word could mean, from the literal skin, organs, bodies to ethereal beings and the galaxies. Thanks to this, I felt like I was on a rollercoaster ride flying to different parks after a dozen pages or so. What was not so good about this however, perhaps due to the short length, the plot for some of the stories were perplexing or weren’t well developed.
Having said that, I did enjoy a select few. The more notable ones were Terence Toh’s The Whole Hog, Sokunthary Svay’s Flesh and Family in Phnom Penh, Shamala Hinrichsen’s Haven of Shadows and Joelyn Alexandra’s 9 Lives.
I loved that the word Flesh was given different interpretations covering a huge range on what the word could mean, from the literal skin, organs, bodies to ethereal beings and the galaxies. Thanks to this, I felt like I was on a rollercoaster ride flying to different parks after a dozen pages or so. What was not so good about this however, perhaps due to the short length, the plot for some of the stories were perplexing or weren’t well developed.
Having said that, I did enjoy a select few. The more notable ones were Terence Toh’s The Whole Hog, Sokunthary Svay’s Flesh and Family in Phnom Penh, Shamala Hinrichsen’s Haven of Shadows and Joelyn Alexandra’s 9 Lives.
pearseanderson's review
2.0
I did not finish a lot of stories in this collection because it was not good enough to devote that time to. And it was short, so keep that in mind. These read like they were high school student's work. Which can be kind of endearing at times, but I dunno, it just did not have the spunk and tightness that short stories usually have. So, sorry Khaw. Sorry SEA Urban anthologies. There was a lot of Malaysia and Philippines in here, a lot of body disposal, a lot of folklore, a lot of terms I didn't begin to understand, and a lot of children doing dumb things.
mobyskine's review
4.0
I was quite amazed on how each stories actually related to 'flesh', be it in relation to human, animal or fruit even metaphorically it was depicted well. Personal reviews on stories I love most:
If You're Happy and You Know It Clap Your Hands (Teo Yi Han) : love the story telling, the narrator was good in representing the plot, make it fun though the story was actually a bit heart-wrenching. Melodramatic, yet beautifully written. I love this story the most.
The Whole Hog (Terence Toh) : Sorchai and Azura-- the meet again scene was lovely although not in a good nice ambience, but I love how the author make it sweetly suspense and thrilled. How they both reminiscing the past and realizing what both need in life, the ending was expected but I love how the plot goes so smoothly calm with retribution at the end. I actually wanted it more, would be nice if this plot turns into a novel.
He Loves Me... Not (Yeyet Soriano) : "We were three for three-- respect, companionship and great sex." Sensual, yet beautiful, as what Maddie says about Bry. Not a typical love story, a bit twist and aggresive. True meaning of love, sacrifice, family, relationship-- a read that makes me think and wonder. Loving the ending.
The Real-Life Counterpart (Bridgette Ann Rebuca) : a writer who wanted to write about mistresses that willingly made herself into a mistress. Seductively good, I love how the narrator keeps feeding me with her experiences, of which each making you realised the good and bad about a relationship. Whatsoever love game, be it truly in love or acting-- it'll still teach you a lesson or two. "Keep on swiping right, a new game must commence."
The Goodlyf (Kate Osias) : I enjoyed reading this very much. Very edgy, strange and psychotic. I like how the narrator segregating her story into chapters of flashback-- so mysterious, enough to flutter my eagerness about the plot. Eerie ending, but love it.
Haven of Shadows (Shamala Hinrichsen) : a child narrator with a distressing story. I can feel the child struggle and sadness, trauma and pain. That love and attention that she wants, and betrayal from a person she trusted-- this hits me so emotionally I actually quite relieved with the ending.
Brilliant collection though some were just okay. It was enough to give me different sort of excitements, feelings and wonders. Honestly love it.
If You're Happy and You Know It Clap Your Hands (Teo Yi Han) : love the story telling, the narrator was good in representing the plot, make it fun though the story was actually a bit heart-wrenching. Melodramatic, yet beautifully written. I love this story the most.
The Whole Hog (Terence Toh) : Sorchai and Azura-- the meet again scene was lovely although not in a good nice ambience, but I love how the author make it sweetly suspense and thrilled. How they both reminiscing the past and realizing what both need in life, the ending was expected but I love how the plot goes so smoothly calm with retribution at the end. I actually wanted it more, would be nice if this plot turns into a novel.
He Loves Me... Not (Yeyet Soriano) : "We were three for three-- respect, companionship and great sex." Sensual, yet beautiful, as what Maddie says about Bry. Not a typical love story, a bit twist and aggresive. True meaning of love, sacrifice, family, relationship-- a read that makes me think and wonder. Loving the ending.
The Real-Life Counterpart (Bridgette Ann Rebuca) : a writer who wanted to write about mistresses that willingly made herself into a mistress. Seductively good, I love how the narrator keeps feeding me with her experiences, of which each making you realised the good and bad about a relationship. Whatsoever love game, be it truly in love or acting-- it'll still teach you a lesson or two. "Keep on swiping right, a new game must commence."
The Goodlyf (Kate Osias) : I enjoyed reading this very much. Very edgy, strange and psychotic. I like how the narrator segregating her story into chapters of flashback-- so mysterious, enough to flutter my eagerness about the plot. Eerie ending, but love it.
Haven of Shadows (Shamala Hinrichsen) : a child narrator with a distressing story. I can feel the child struggle and sadness, trauma and pain. That love and attention that she wants, and betrayal from a person she trusted-- this hits me so emotionally I actually quite relieved with the ending.
Brilliant collection though some were just okay. It was enough to give me different sort of excitements, feelings and wonders. Honestly love it.
adamantane's review
3.0
I felt that some of the stories were absolute gems, like Haven of Shadows and no. 165 Independence Lane. Others were a bit too heavy on the viscera and a bit too light on development.
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