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thegulagula's review against another edition
3.0
Actual rating: 3.5
This is the first book I have read depicting the local community of Jaffna Tamil. Containing 15 short stories set in various times across generations, some are related, while some contain inter-related characters.
The book touches common real issues in the community, from social status, gender inequality and tradition. It's the duties of the women to bear children, in charge of the house welfare and follow the husband. Overall, it is a mixture of well-written satirical humour and slice of life, like the mutton curry.
'If you go out to earn, our community will think I cannot support my own wife. It is below my dignity to let them think that of me. I cannot allow you to work for money.'
Thought provoking yet entertaining, I enjoyed the author's writings and humour.
This is the first book I have read depicting the local community of Jaffna Tamil. Containing 15 short stories set in various times across generations, some are related, while some contain inter-related characters.
The book touches common real issues in the community, from social status, gender inequality and tradition. It's the duties of the women to bear children, in charge of the house welfare and follow the husband. Overall, it is a mixture of well-written satirical humour and slice of life, like the mutton curry.
'If you go out to earn, our community will think I cannot support my own wife. It is below my dignity to let them think that of me. I cannot allow you to work for money.'
Thought provoking yet entertaining, I enjoyed the author's writings and humour.
deviki's review against another edition
4.0
OHHHHH my funny review is gone forever
Books I've read and provided detailed reviews over the years but all data is lost after accidental deletion and GD refuse to restore it back.
Adding books back to my library for my own reference and tracking purposes
Books I've read and provided detailed reviews over the years but all data is lost after accidental deletion and GD refuse to restore it back.
Adding books back to my library for my own reference and tracking purposes
misspalah's review against another edition
4.0
However, far from the expected frugality, a procession of exotic dishes to appear before us. My concern that the driver-cum-butler was also the cook was clearly unfounded, and the Minister has sensible priorities for staff deployment. First, a chicken dish followed by fish in a sauce. Having read about potential ambush from Asian spices, I venture upon the more brightly coloured items with trepidation. Mess dinners and political high tables have nonetheles stiffened my culinary backbone, if not hardened my boiled cabbage palate. I soldier on, even with gusto. I am not deceived. As soon as the first of the sauces hits my mouth, I feel my face turning as red as the sauce and I begin to perspire from the top of my head. My host, courteous to a fault, orders his driver-cum-waiter to put the ceiling fan at maximum while I thankfully down my third glass of water. The fish dish is followed by a prawn one. I lean back and attempt inconspicuously to loosen my belt. The pièce de résistance is voluminous crabs cooked with a pungency due to, I am told, fermented shrimp paste, a Southeast Asian essential. Whatever the shrimps had been up to, their heat is incendiary. Under cover of my napkin, I undo my belt a further notch, hoping I will remember to re-tighten everything before I stand up, being understandably reluctant to expose my guests to any sight of the emperor's new clothes. Two helpings later, my hand hovers yet again near the belt buckle. The Minister asks if I have dropped anything. I reply that, on the contrary, I have gained immensely from this dining experience. He leans across and confides that this final dish is sago gula Melaka, a specialty of his historic home state, Malacca. I nod in the way I'd seen him do earlier that afternoon as I attempt to reassemble my midrift.
- Money Man : Marriage and Mutton Curry Stories by M. Shanmughalingam
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I found many of his stories has a backdrop of Japanese Occupation, Malaya / Malaysia in The Making (right after Independence Day) & its way towards modernisation and Jaffna Tamil / Ceylonese Community and culture with a lot of social and historical commentary. The author’s stories are quirky and funny but the one that shifted my rating from 3 stars to 4 stars are the stories that revolves around Rasamah and Chelvi & Indra and Thangachi. I was not ready with the betrayal and pain faced by these women simply because they were shackled by the patriarchal values practiced by the community. In addition to that, It is not Malaysian Literature without mentioning food in these stories and i believe the author did well in demonstrating how food were abundantly filled up the space of ordinary Malaysians. The title of the book itself did mention ‘Mutton Curry’ which ultimately one of the famous local cuisines loved by many. Kolukattai, Dodol, Yong Tau Foo also were mentioned in some of the stories making my mouth watering that i decided to search for it the next day. I am glad Rani Taxis Away is placed as the last story from this collection. I was cheering for her liberation and independence - Go and live your life happily & More Power to you, Rani. The inconsistency of the stories can be seen, some were a novella with the same characters and some were short stories that were ended abruptly (BUT that was always the case with short stories collection). Overall, I am glad i read this on Malaysia’s 66th Independence Day. A suitable book befitting the special day specifically for Malaysians.
- Money Man : Marriage and Mutton Curry Stories by M. Shanmughalingam
.
.
I found many of his stories has a backdrop of Japanese Occupation, Malaya / Malaysia in The Making (right after Independence Day) & its way towards modernisation and Jaffna Tamil / Ceylonese Community and culture with a lot of social and historical commentary. The author’s stories are quirky and funny but the one that shifted my rating from 3 stars to 4 stars are the stories that revolves around Rasamah and Chelvi & Indra and Thangachi. I was not ready with the betrayal and pain faced by these women simply because they were shackled by the patriarchal values practiced by the community. In addition to that, It is not Malaysian Literature without mentioning food in these stories and i believe the author did well in demonstrating how food were abundantly filled up the space of ordinary Malaysians. The title of the book itself did mention ‘Mutton Curry’ which ultimately one of the famous local cuisines loved by many. Kolukattai, Dodol, Yong Tau Foo also were mentioned in some of the stories making my mouth watering that i decided to search for it the next day. I am glad Rani Taxis Away is placed as the last story from this collection. I was cheering for her liberation and independence - Go and live your life happily & More Power to you, Rani. The inconsistency of the stories can be seen, some were a novella with the same characters and some were short stories that were ended abruptly (BUT that was always the case with short stories collection). Overall, I am glad i read this on Malaysia’s 66th Independence Day. A suitable book befitting the special day specifically for Malaysians.
myjourneywithbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This book is made up of fifteen stories which I initially thought would hold no connection to each other but it soon became apparent that there were some recurrent characters and some of the stories had a thread of continuity from the one before. What connects this entertaining set of stories is the focus given to the Jaffna Tamil community in Malaysia.
Satirical and witty, these stories showcase the various members of this community in a humourous way along with a bit of keenly observed social commentary. I loved the way the author strung up his words though certain stories felt a little verbose.
My least favourite ones were those set in the Treasury and the Ministry of Finance but I loved most of the others. The ones I enjoyed best were Birthday, which captures the conversations taking place within the crowd gathered at the birth of a couple's first child and has a nice twist at the end, and the stories following Rasamah, a young girl who gets an unconventional marriage proposal that ends up being the beginning of a whole new life.
There is some dialogue that had me laughing out loud but which a reader who doesn't know the Tamil language will not understand. It won't detract from the enjoyment of the story but I do feel it's a pity to not be able to get some of the jokes.
Satirical and witty, these stories showcase the various members of this community in a humourous way along with a bit of keenly observed social commentary. I loved the way the author strung up his words though certain stories felt a little verbose.
My least favourite ones were those set in the Treasury and the Ministry of Finance but I loved most of the others. The ones I enjoyed best were Birthday, which captures the conversations taking place within the crowd gathered at the birth of a couple's first child and has a nice twist at the end, and the stories following Rasamah, a young girl who gets an unconventional marriage proposal that ends up being the beginning of a whole new life.
There is some dialogue that had me laughing out loud but which a reader who doesn't know the Tamil language will not understand. It won't detract from the enjoyment of the story but I do feel it's a pity to not be able to get some of the jokes.
sofiazee's review against another edition
3.0
Well written and humorous. It provides a small insight to the tamil community in Malaysia, though for some reason some Indian/malaysian elements can seem a bit forced. The book focuses on the middle-class Jaffna Tamil community during the British colonial era or right after Independence, which gives it a nice nostalgic touch, but it does get repetitive. I would wish to see more variety to the stories.
littlelauraa's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
suipingt's review
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
viji's review
slow-paced
1.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Toxic relationship, Grief, and Gore
candiemarsh's review
4.0
Great read! Relatable for those with Asian heritage especially in regards to social norms and family hierarchy. Some stories were a bit draggy but most were very fun to read.