Title : Carrie
Author: Stephen King
Like I said, I'm not a fan of Stephen King, but still, I have a lot of his books at home so I thought of reviewing this book in our seemingly quiet page now.
Carrie is one of King's most popular books. If I'm not mistaken, it has been adapted into a film a few years back, but I've never seen it though. What made me interested in this book is because, most of King's books are compared to Carrie, putting this book on a high pedestal so naturally, the book enthusiast in me set off to find it.
Suprisingly, its not a very thick book, just around 250 pages. You could finish the book in one sitting. I initially thought the book would be full of horror and thrills but seems like I'm mistaken. This is really one of King's more relaxing books which deals more with psychology.. well, with a bit of horror thrown in jugak la!
It revolves around Carrie White, a girl with extraordinary telekinetic powers. You might imagine a haughty high and mighty girl, but Carrie is more like a timid mouse. She was born in a family so obsessed with religion that her father believed sex was a total dirty sin, even among husbands and wives. After he married Carrie's mother, they slept together for the first time and then beat themselves up to repent on their so-called sin. The result was Carrie so her mother believed she was the spawn of the devil since she was born from a dirty sin, thus, her mother hated her from birth.
She was always punished for the smallest mistake with her mother's favourite punishment:locking her in the cupboard without food and water for days. She never knew the love of a mother and father (her father died or something, I think..) and this might have contributed to her low self esteem. She always wore ugly clothes which her mother thought was best for her, making her the butt of jokes at school.
One day, while watching the daughter of her neighbour sun bathing (she was suprised to see someone expose so much skin when her mother said only the devil did that), her mother suddenly carried her inside while hurtling insults to their neighbour. Somehow, that was the turning point. Not being able to be like other people was one thing, but humiliating Carrie when she just wanted friends was another. Her anger somehow triggered the telekinetic powers she had but this just made her mother believe that Carrie was in fact, from the devil's spawn.
One day, when she was sixteen, she got her first period. Since her mother never told her anything, she thought she was dying and she was taunted by the girls. This really made a scene. However, one of the girls, Sue Snell, who really felt guilty about the whole tampon-throwing thing proceeded to apologize and tried to be Carrie's friend. Somehow, she got the idea to have her boyfirend, Tommy Ross, ask Carrie to the senior prom <--apa la punya idea! Still, she did it with good intentions!
However, another girl, Chris kot nama dia, decided to crash the prom (she wasn't allowed to go to the prom coz she didn't admit to taunting Carrie). Carrie, who at first was skeptical, was really enjoying the prom at this moment (after fighting with her mom about the 'sinful prom event' and making her own dress) was the target. However, in a turn ogf events, the prank somehow backfired and killed Tommy while Carried was drenched in pigs blood.
O-oh.. it seems like I'm wrinting my own long version of Carrie here, and it doesn't sound as interesting haha..
So to cut the story short, Carrie was so confused and frustrated that for a while, she believed her mother so she decided in commiting suicide, BUT she wanted to bring along the whole town with her. With her super telekinetic powers, she managed to destroy half the town, killing more than half of the other innocent seniors.
The chalpters in this books are alternated between the past and the present. The past of when this incident happened, and the present where experts are still trying to understand the telekinetic powers, by interviewing the surviving teachers and students.
Hahah.. I dunno why my review is in such a mess. I didn't have high views of this book really but what I've written is worse.
Really, just borrow my copy. Its simply entertaining though no thrilling moments here but, I'd read it again!
Sunday, September 25, 2005
Friday, September 23, 2005
The Broker
Title : The Broker
Author : John Grisham
The narrative started in January 1996, with 3 young Pakistani computer scientist -Fazal, Safi and Farooq- hired by the Pakistani military to locate, access and monitor the surveillance system of a new Indian spy satellite hovering 300 miles above the Pakistani ground.
In just a short time, they were able to determine it to be just another one of the ordinary surveillance system not unlike their own, that has been doing nothing more than snapping photographs of unimportant stuff to be broadcasted to the Indian government.
However, during the course of their work, they accidentally stumbled across another suspicious surveillance system unlike any they've seen so far. It was of the best technology the world have yet to see. After secretly tapping into the system, they were able to locate the network of 9 satellites linking to one another, which made up the most sophisticated surveillance system they've ever come across- code-named as Neptune. Being the computer whiz they were, the 3 young Pakistanis were soon able not only to monitor it's activities but also to manipulate the system and jammed the rest of the applications related to it. Of course, these were done by them writing a new home-brewed software that take total control of the network of the surveillance system. The software were code-named JAM.
After silently contemplating what they could do and make with the newly developed software, Fazal and Safi got greedy and wanted to make money by selling it to the highest bidder. Farooq wanted nothing to do with it, suggesting that they should just hand it over to the military and wash their hands off it before trouble starts. But the other two wouldn't hear any of it. A bitter fight erupted. Thus, began their fatal venture into the world of the greedy...
In September 1998, both of them travelled to Washington and from there they met with The Broker (Joel Backman) who was known as the man who could open any doors in Washington.
He was just the right man to help them market JAM to the various interested government.
Eventually, after much aggravation, a deal was struck with the Saudi government. The Saudi paid a transaction fee of a million upfront, and the rest of the $100 million will be wired to their newly opened account in Zurich.
Then all hell break loose.
The feds attacked with warrants, indictments, investigations and the Saudis got spooked. Some people got murdered inthe process. Joel himself fled to teh safety of federal prison, leaving behind some very angry people with serious grudges.
However, after spending only a short 6 months hidden away i federal prison, he suddenly found himself being hauled away outta prison by a controversial presidential last-minute pardon. What very few people know is that the pardon was granted only after the president received enormous pressure from the CIA, due to some unknown reason.
Minutes after the pardon, Backman was quietly smuggled out of the country to Italy, living under new name, new identity and a new life. What he didn't know was that the CIA has plan to leak his whereabout to the people holding grudged against him- the Israelis, the Saudis, the Russians and the Chinese. Then CIA will do what it does best, sit back and watch. The question they needed answered is who will kill him in order to solve the mystery of the Neptune and JAM.
Well, basically that's what the stroy is all about. As Grisham's die-hard fan, i still gotta admit that it's just not as interesting as his earlier writings. Not really a page-turner, this one. I guess i was still hoping for some courtroom brawl to spice up the story (that's what he's good at actually, the courtroom scene ). But still it made a good leisure read in bed over the weekend.
As for the rating, i'd give it 5 out of 10. And that's coming from a Grisham's die-hard fan. So...hmmm, go figure.
Author : John Grisham
The narrative started in January 1996, with 3 young Pakistani computer scientist -Fazal, Safi and Farooq- hired by the Pakistani military to locate, access and monitor the surveillance system of a new Indian spy satellite hovering 300 miles above the Pakistani ground.
In just a short time, they were able to determine it to be just another one of the ordinary surveillance system not unlike their own, that has been doing nothing more than snapping photographs of unimportant stuff to be broadcasted to the Indian government.
However, during the course of their work, they accidentally stumbled across another suspicious surveillance system unlike any they've seen so far. It was of the best technology the world have yet to see. After secretly tapping into the system, they were able to locate the network of 9 satellites linking to one another, which made up the most sophisticated surveillance system they've ever come across- code-named as Neptune. Being the computer whiz they were, the 3 young Pakistanis were soon able not only to monitor it's activities but also to manipulate the system and jammed the rest of the applications related to it. Of course, these were done by them writing a new home-brewed software that take total control of the network of the surveillance system. The software were code-named JAM.
After silently contemplating what they could do and make with the newly developed software, Fazal and Safi got greedy and wanted to make money by selling it to the highest bidder. Farooq wanted nothing to do with it, suggesting that they should just hand it over to the military and wash their hands off it before trouble starts. But the other two wouldn't hear any of it. A bitter fight erupted. Thus, began their fatal venture into the world of the greedy...
In September 1998, both of them travelled to Washington and from there they met with The Broker (Joel Backman) who was known as the man who could open any doors in Washington.
He was just the right man to help them market JAM to the various interested government.
Eventually, after much aggravation, a deal was struck with the Saudi government. The Saudi paid a transaction fee of a million upfront, and the rest of the $100 million will be wired to their newly opened account in Zurich.
Then all hell break loose.
The feds attacked with warrants, indictments, investigations and the Saudis got spooked. Some people got murdered inthe process. Joel himself fled to teh safety of federal prison, leaving behind some very angry people with serious grudges.
However, after spending only a short 6 months hidden away i federal prison, he suddenly found himself being hauled away outta prison by a controversial presidential last-minute pardon. What very few people know is that the pardon was granted only after the president received enormous pressure from the CIA, due to some unknown reason.
Minutes after the pardon, Backman was quietly smuggled out of the country to Italy, living under new name, new identity and a new life. What he didn't know was that the CIA has plan to leak his whereabout to the people holding grudged against him- the Israelis, the Saudis, the Russians and the Chinese. Then CIA will do what it does best, sit back and watch. The question they needed answered is who will kill him in order to solve the mystery of the Neptune and JAM.
Well, basically that's what the stroy is all about. As Grisham's die-hard fan, i still gotta admit that it's just not as interesting as his earlier writings. Not really a page-turner, this one. I guess i was still hoping for some courtroom brawl to spice up the story (that's what he's good at actually, the courtroom scene ). But still it made a good leisure read in bed over the weekend.
As for the rating, i'd give it 5 out of 10. And that's coming from a Grisham's die-hard fan. So...hmmm, go figure.
Monday, September 19, 2005
Are You Afraid of The Dark
Title : Are you afraid of the Dark
Author: Sidney Sheldon
Okay.. I know some of you might be thinking, "Why on earth has she chosen to review this book?" Haha, I know, somehow, Sidney Sheldon has made a name for himself for his predictable outcomes. All his books (nearly all la..) are based around women, sometimes je men. About their lives and how their lives change after 'something' happens. Don't forget his personal touch of conspirations and government secrets and voila! You get a classic Sidney Sheldon book.
Not that his books aren't interesting. I especially like 'the Rage of Angels' and have a tattered copy at home, but, well, all his other books are just typical, right? However, I seem to have this attachment to him, somehow. Maybe its because his book was the first adult fiction I read (when I was in primary school, mind you!). Haha, still remember how shocked I was to learn that adult scenes are permissible to be written on paper. Mama was so suprised seeing me with that book (The Other Side of Midnight, I think), that she must've panicked when she took the book away from me and told me that this book is not suitable for my age. C'mon la, I found the book on the floor in our library anyway, and she DOES know that I'll read anything I get my hands on! Heheh.. so long ago lah..
Anyway, this book, like his previous books, revolves around two newly widowed woman whose life was so different, they never guessed they had this connection between them. Their husbands died in two separate murders that looked like suicide, leaving them wondering if they had done anything that lead to the suicidal feeling their seemingly normal husbands' had.
Fate bought them together to finally realize that was a bigger story behind all that had happened. Mostly the book was about how they ran away from the clutches of the 'bad guys', with a lot of luck on their side la since the 'enemy' is someone very 'huge' in the industry. I mean, ade je cara dia to find those women, and ade je cara for the women to barely escape.
One thing I like about the book is the scientific facts that are described in such a simple way, you could really understand it. Sebabnya, some books just ramble on nonsense that we ourselves can see as fake, betul tak? But I guess, thats about that la.. the other things in the book are mostly expected (So I DO wonder why they call him the Master of The Unexpected?)
Even in the end, the widows were saved by, lets say, luck! It wasn't really their own effort that saved them in the end, rather that a stroke of luck of something that happened on the 'bad guys' side. Quite frustrating since most of the book was dedicated in showing how smart and quick acting these women were so why don't let them get the spot light jugak in the end?
Anyway, don't buy it, unless you're a Sidney Sheldon fan.. If you want to read it, just borrow my copy.
Rating: Hmm.. how about 2 stars and a half?
Author: Sidney Sheldon
Okay.. I know some of you might be thinking, "Why on earth has she chosen to review this book?" Haha, I know, somehow, Sidney Sheldon has made a name for himself for his predictable outcomes. All his books (nearly all la..) are based around women, sometimes je men. About their lives and how their lives change after 'something' happens. Don't forget his personal touch of conspirations and government secrets and voila! You get a classic Sidney Sheldon book.
Not that his books aren't interesting. I especially like 'the Rage of Angels' and have a tattered copy at home, but, well, all his other books are just typical, right? However, I seem to have this attachment to him, somehow. Maybe its because his book was the first adult fiction I read (when I was in primary school, mind you!). Haha, still remember how shocked I was to learn that adult scenes are permissible to be written on paper. Mama was so suprised seeing me with that book (The Other Side of Midnight, I think), that she must've panicked when she took the book away from me and told me that this book is not suitable for my age. C'mon la, I found the book on the floor in our library anyway, and she DOES know that I'll read anything I get my hands on! Heheh.. so long ago lah..
Anyway, this book, like his previous books, revolves around two newly widowed woman whose life was so different, they never guessed they had this connection between them. Their husbands died in two separate murders that looked like suicide, leaving them wondering if they had done anything that lead to the suicidal feeling their seemingly normal husbands' had.
Fate bought them together to finally realize that was a bigger story behind all that had happened. Mostly the book was about how they ran away from the clutches of the 'bad guys', with a lot of luck on their side la since the 'enemy' is someone very 'huge' in the industry. I mean, ade je cara dia to find those women, and ade je cara for the women to barely escape.
One thing I like about the book is the scientific facts that are described in such a simple way, you could really understand it. Sebabnya, some books just ramble on nonsense that we ourselves can see as fake, betul tak? But I guess, thats about that la.. the other things in the book are mostly expected (So I DO wonder why they call him the Master of The Unexpected?)
Even in the end, the widows were saved by, lets say, luck! It wasn't really their own effort that saved them in the end, rather that a stroke of luck of something that happened on the 'bad guys' side. Quite frustrating since most of the book was dedicated in showing how smart and quick acting these women were so why don't let them get the spot light jugak in the end?
Anyway, don't buy it, unless you're a Sidney Sheldon fan.. If you want to read it, just borrow my copy.
Rating: Hmm.. how about 2 stars and a half?
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Digital Fortress
Title : Digital Fortress
Author: Dan Brown
This is one book I'd like for keeps (Hehe, don't worry Pojie, I'm NOT taking your book away)
The differance in this book and other Dan Brown books I've read is that here, we are faced with modern day puzzles. Ok.. what I meant to say is that, In da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons, we are confronted by puzzles from the arts side, and I mean ancient arts here (errr, not REALLY ancient, but not our modern day types here) like centuries-old paintings and sculptures. but in Digital Fortress, we came face to face with the digital era type codes, something we're more familiar with. It was easier to try to break the code when you can imagine it, rather than trying to remember how did 'The Last Supper' or 'Monalisa' look like. Err, I take that back, not 'easier' but more interesting! I mean.. arggghhh, I'm lost for words here! Writer's block, I guess..
Anyway, once again Dan Brown chooses a lady as the main star here. See, the women of the world are not THAT low in the eyes of some men. Susan Fletcher is the head cryptographer in the National Security Agency where nearly all coded messages that are sent here don't stand a chance to stay crypted. They have developed this invincible code-breaker machine that breaks thousands of codes everyday. However, one day, their normal routine changed. Apparantly, they found a crypted message that the machine couldn't decipher.
Things got worse when they realized this coded message was really sent as a threat to the NSA for some wrong doings they might have done early on and it was up to Susan to find out what was really happening. She had loved working with the NSA, being attracted to coded messages eversince she was small, so she fought hard to save this agency. When she realized the life of her fiancee was suddenly also at stake, it just drove her to double her efforts in breaking the code that was destroying the NSA.
Throughout the book, she learnt a lot about betrayal and how trust is a vulnerable thing to look after. Human greed tops it all off, shoving aside loyalty towards the agency and country. When the truth finally emerges, realizing they had trusted the wrong person who staged a murder for his own need, it changed the woman inside her, but also made her stronger.
This book shows that sometimes, the most complicated problems have the most simplest (dah 'most', 'simplest' plak lagi..!) solution. Haha, you gotto read it yourself to find out what I mean.. but really, I enjoyed this book thoroughly!
One thing though, I still can't decipher this coded message at the end of the book.. any help here?
128-10-93-85-10-128-98-112-6-6-25-126-39-1-68-78
Haha.. ok, ok.. my review here is a bit lame. I was supposed to do this review right after I read the book but I couldn't find the time so most juicy parts I wanted to share are now a blur in my head. But seriously, if you like a relaxing book that could still tease your mind, go grab this one! Its an all-in-one type of book that I'd recommand to anyone :)
Author: Dan Brown
This is one book I'd like for keeps (Hehe, don't worry Pojie, I'm NOT taking your book away)
The differance in this book and other Dan Brown books I've read is that here, we are faced with modern day puzzles. Ok.. what I meant to say is that, In da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons, we are confronted by puzzles from the arts side, and I mean ancient arts here (errr, not REALLY ancient, but not our modern day types here) like centuries-old paintings and sculptures. but in Digital Fortress, we came face to face with the digital era type codes, something we're more familiar with. It was easier to try to break the code when you can imagine it, rather than trying to remember how did 'The Last Supper' or 'Monalisa' look like. Err, I take that back, not 'easier' but more interesting! I mean.. arggghhh, I'm lost for words here! Writer's block, I guess..
Anyway, once again Dan Brown chooses a lady as the main star here. See, the women of the world are not THAT low in the eyes of some men. Susan Fletcher is the head cryptographer in the National Security Agency where nearly all coded messages that are sent here don't stand a chance to stay crypted. They have developed this invincible code-breaker machine that breaks thousands of codes everyday. However, one day, their normal routine changed. Apparantly, they found a crypted message that the machine couldn't decipher.
Things got worse when they realized this coded message was really sent as a threat to the NSA for some wrong doings they might have done early on and it was up to Susan to find out what was really happening. She had loved working with the NSA, being attracted to coded messages eversince she was small, so she fought hard to save this agency. When she realized the life of her fiancee was suddenly also at stake, it just drove her to double her efforts in breaking the code that was destroying the NSA.
Throughout the book, she learnt a lot about betrayal and how trust is a vulnerable thing to look after. Human greed tops it all off, shoving aside loyalty towards the agency and country. When the truth finally emerges, realizing they had trusted the wrong person who staged a murder for his own need, it changed the woman inside her, but also made her stronger.
This book shows that sometimes, the most complicated problems have the most simplest (dah 'most', 'simplest' plak lagi..!) solution. Haha, you gotto read it yourself to find out what I mean.. but really, I enjoyed this book thoroughly!
One thing though, I still can't decipher this coded message at the end of the book.. any help here?
128-10-93-85-10-128-98-112-6-6-25-126-39-1-68-78
Haha.. ok, ok.. my review here is a bit lame. I was supposed to do this review right after I read the book but I couldn't find the time so most juicy parts I wanted to share are now a blur in my head. But seriously, if you like a relaxing book that could still tease your mind, go grab this one! Its an all-in-one type of book that I'd recommand to anyone :)
Sunday, September 04, 2005
Cheasapeake Blue - The Quinn Saga
Title: Cheasapeake Blue
Author: Nora Roberts
Author: Nora Roberts
The amazing Quinn family is back!
Seth, the youngest Quinn, is home for the first time in years. An acclaimed painter, who is blessed with a gift he can't quite explain, Seth is as handsome and dynamic as the other Quinns. He comes home to find things in St. Chris much the same, with the exception of lovely Dru Whitcomb-Banks, a new shopkeeper in town. Dru is not what Seth expected and he soon finds himself drawn to her, despite his unsavory roots. She's carrying quite a bit of baggage herself, but finds that she's falling for him just the same.
Seth as pictured by Nora is a long haired artist, with long, lean, sinewy frame that complements with Dru's elfish-like beauty. With hair that is cropped short, she reminds me of Angelina Jolie in the Hackers. I love that kind of hair style! :P
Nora Roberts had already built a compelling family that intrigued readers through the first of the Chesapeake Bay saga, Sea Swept, Rising Tides and Inner Harbor. This book is in response to overwhelming reader demands (if you see the front page of the book, she dedicates the book to "Every reader who ever asked, "When are you going to write Seth's story?") she writes Seth to be as dreamy and decidedly alpha as the other Quinn men. Dru is a perfect match for Seth, strong willed and determined and also a bit of a lost soul. The combined traits make the couple vibrant and interesting. On top of that, you get to revisit your favorite characters from the first three books and find out what's become of them and their children. Nora's greatest gift is her ability to write a family that keeps the reader's attention.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to both first time, or habitual Noraholics! If this is your first Nora book, I suggest that you read the first three in the saga before reading Chesapeake Blue. You'll find your enjoyment of the story even greater having met the secondary characters before.
Nora's done it again!p.s I have been reading a few on the shelf for a while romance novels. Didn't have much time to go out and buy a new book except for The Wives of Bath. Will definately go back to Populat soon... muahahahahaha!!!! Do enjoy.... the type of book that does not need to think but enjoy as majalah picisan! :P
The Wives of Bath
Title: The Wives of Bath
Author: Wendy Holden
It was finally a weekend whereby I could breathe easily. I took several days leave from work and spent most of it with my son and family... especially since Syuhada is flying off to Dublin, this month, Ayman finally out from the hospital and yeah.. work not so hectic... I went to Popular, to browse... Book hunting too as well! It's been soooooo long since I've reade a good book (and also did my review) that I thought it was past due for me to do my review...
The title itself, The Wives of Bath, grabbed my attention.... plus also the fact that Ayman was contentedly sleeping in his stroller, I have the chance to really browse through without worry that he might topple books or run through stacks of it in the store...
I guess the charm of the book itself was because it is about first time parents, and duh! I immediately clicked with the topic... hahahaha, yet the story to me would intrigue even you guys! :P
The story revolves around two couples - Hugo and Amanda, and Jake and Alice. In a strange twist (it always happens only in storybook!), Amanda and Alice, works in the same place - Styles magazine in New York. Amanda a tabloid journalist (these are the people who gives bad name to the profession of journalism - haha) and Alice is the legal advisor in Intercorp - the company that owns Style magazine. Alice is the person who saves Amanda's butt in several occasions...
Anyway, an article written by Amanda finally brought her in a pot of boiling lava, that Alice was finally tired of saving her ass. Alice during that time was not yet married and she didn't have a significant other as well... To cut a long story short, she met someone named Jake at her cousins wedding and click off. Jake, being a person who was very very into rubbish and recycling seemed very interesting to a legal advisor who is suddenly tired of life and wants a child and a new life.
Amanda was persuaded to quit her job and on her way back to London (in the economy class section of course!), while pissing mad at the company and telling herself that it's their loss, she was browsing through the glossy magazines and in a way, convinced herself that she is ready to move into the next step - have a child. Of course that is the next course of action to take since EVERYONE who is EVERYONE is pregnant of has children! WHy else would there be Guess Kids, those cute little baby paraphernelias that only designers would produce for top celebrities!
Amanda loves Hugo and Alice loves Jake - or so we are led to believe. All are in the throes of first parenthood, linked by birthing classes and a posh maternity center, the Cavendish, where moms rest in four-poster beds while dads enjoy whiskey at the well-appointed bar. Though planning a birth at home (“on a shower curtain”) Alice has Rosa at the Cavendish after an emergency C-section, and Amanda would have expected no less than the grand sweep of Cavendish services for her little Theo. But Amanda really knows nothing about babies and cares less, and quickly escapes to her career as a high-powered magazine writer, leaving Hugo to blunder through fatherhood, losing his job in the process of trying to do right by his son.
To figure out such basics as how to change a nappie, he consults the lonely Alice, whose husband is gradually drifting into fanaticism as publisher of a recycling rag called Get Trashed!. The brush strokes are broad as we see Hugo boldly rescuing Rosa’s beloved teddy bear and winning Alice’s heart, and Amanda striking out on a mad junket landing her up in the arms of a “fantastic guy called Rick.” Jake, who’s been a pill throughout, forcing Rosa to eat pureed veggies grown in human manure, finds out he’s in love with a fantastic guy, too, and things come full circle, with Hugo and Alice back at the birthing center working on a sibling for Rosa and the winsome Theo.
Along the way there are many reasons to laugh, as Alice defends her beloved Jake despite his domineering ways (the Christmas gifts wrapped in toilet paper, the feast of Brussels sprouts served in what was once the glass door panel of a clothes washing machine, the wormery in the garden). Amanda is wicked as the career non-Mom who almost forgets her son’s name, and then there’s Laura, the sexy siren who tries to seduce Hugo and winds up saving him from Amanda’s wrath. Holden is fast with a bon mot and great at naming things: Theo’s childcare center, Chicklets; Hugo’s real estate firm, Dunn and Dustard; and Jake and Alice’s love nest, The Old Morgue (because it once was one).
If you love Brit humor as I do and like it laid on thick as old paint, you’ll crease up as you follow the hilarious doings of The Wives of Bath.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
The Curious Incident of The Dog in the Night-Time
Title : The Curious Incident of The Dog in the Night-Time
Author: Mark Haddon
I saw this book last year in Popular at Batu Pahat when I was doing my data survey there. What caught my attention was the ORANGE cover and the unbelievable long title of the book. However, it wasn't enough to interest me yet. However, through the next few weeks, I noticed book reviews about this book in the newspapers so for a while there, I DID regret not buying the book.
Then one day I heard kak Zai talking about this book excitedly. Apparently, this book had won the Whitbread Book Award which is one of the highest rewards a book could get, according to Mama lah! By then, I couldn't even find the book in the bookstores, it was already selling like hot cakes.
Well, I won't go into the details of 'My Adventure Finding This Book', but believe me, it was kind'a frustrating when I couldn't buy it as a birthday gift to my brother (and would you believe it, the next week, I found a hidden copy of this book in Popular and I grabbed it! I'm not gonna wait another year for this book!)
This book is a narration of Chris (what was his last name, huh?). He's a fifteen year old boy with who's autistic. He's fascinated with numbers, has memorized all prime numbers up until 3000++ and is obsessive with having all his facts right. He doesn't like human contact, not even his parents' touch!
I've never personally REALLY known someone who has autism but I guess this book could give you quite an insight of their world. Mark Haddon has been working with autistic children so I'm sure he has tried his best to write this book from their point of view.
Chris (the narrator) has his life all planned out for him. He doesn't like to have his plans altered because he would feel as if his life was outta control. He is also a genius in maths and has the mind of an encyclopedia.
One day, his carefully planned life was disturbed by the death of his neighbour's dog. Chris frequently goes out to take a stroll at night because he reasons that at night, there aren't any people around so he won't have to afraid of their touch. That was when he found the dog who was killed with a garden 'fork'.
Chris, who admires Sherlock Holmes, then set out to investigate about the dog's death. At first, he was blamed on the incident since he was the one who found the dog but when the police realized the problems faced by Chris, they let him go (with his father la helping). This might be what set him to find out what really happened.
The book isn't mainly on Chris's investigaion. In fact, the chapters are alternated with facts that Chris wants to share (I love the chapter on our beloved MALAYSIA :)), his relationship with his teacher whom he calls Siobhan and other things that are going through his mind. Mark Haddon has managed to make us realized how different minds work. We could feel Chris's frustration when he realizes his father has been lying to him for the past two years. We understand how betrayed he has felt and how scared he was when he went to London to find his mother. In fact, somehow, we could relate to him!
The story isn't what you'd call amazing, but the writing is superb! I didn't really want to put down the book once I started reading it, thankfully, its not really a thick book! Its just an everyday story but since it comes from a special point of view, that makes the book so.. well, special!
The chapters in this book are quite unique as the don't go by our usual 1,2,3.. but it is arranged in the prime number sequence. I thought I had lost some pages in my book when I first realized the first chapter had a number '2' on it hehe.. It also has some puzzles in it and the example of the 'A' Levels Maths answer that Chris did and inserted in the book since he says it is very interesting!
All in all, I think I'll give a 4 star rating for this book, so you guys, go find the book and enjoy.. coz I sure did!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some things DO disturb me though.. is there anything as half autistic or something like that? Coz I found some similairities here.. errr..
1. Chris always used numbers to calm him down eg. counting to a hundred then calculating the square or cube for each number --> I used to do that whenever I was upset! Even when I'm tired of a journey, I'd add up the plate numbers, in my head la, of all cars I can see and try to relate them together.
2. He doesn't like public toilets or public places, fearing germs, I think! --> I always had this very extensive imagination of germs. I'd hate touching toilet doorknobs or taps bla.. bla.. bla.. coz I'd imagine the germ people have left before me, then I'd scrub my hand with soap till I think all the germs have gone away
3. Chris loves facts and hates it when people get them wrong --> For the meager facts I have stored in my head, I'm like this too. And I always get this urge to correct other peoples facts and grammer when I realize its wrong. Luckily, I'm too shy to talk to people I don't know plus the fact that I've taught myself to bite my tongue whenever I feel like doing it. I mean, people don't really like it, do they? Never REALLY tried correcting people, I usually just do it in my head!
4. Hey.. I think I'm gonna turn this into my blog entry lah pulak!
Author: Mark Haddon
I saw this book last year in Popular at Batu Pahat when I was doing my data survey there. What caught my attention was the ORANGE cover and the unbelievable long title of the book. However, it wasn't enough to interest me yet. However, through the next few weeks, I noticed book reviews about this book in the newspapers so for a while there, I DID regret not buying the book.
Then one day I heard kak Zai talking about this book excitedly. Apparently, this book had won the Whitbread Book Award which is one of the highest rewards a book could get, according to Mama lah! By then, I couldn't even find the book in the bookstores, it was already selling like hot cakes.
Well, I won't go into the details of 'My Adventure Finding This Book', but believe me, it was kind'a frustrating when I couldn't buy it as a birthday gift to my brother (and would you believe it, the next week, I found a hidden copy of this book in Popular and I grabbed it! I'm not gonna wait another year for this book!)
This book is a narration of Chris (what was his last name, huh?). He's a fifteen year old boy with who's autistic. He's fascinated with numbers, has memorized all prime numbers up until 3000++ and is obsessive with having all his facts right. He doesn't like human contact, not even his parents' touch!
I've never personally REALLY known someone who has autism but I guess this book could give you quite an insight of their world. Mark Haddon has been working with autistic children so I'm sure he has tried his best to write this book from their point of view.
Chris (the narrator) has his life all planned out for him. He doesn't like to have his plans altered because he would feel as if his life was outta control. He is also a genius in maths and has the mind of an encyclopedia.
One day, his carefully planned life was disturbed by the death of his neighbour's dog. Chris frequently goes out to take a stroll at night because he reasons that at night, there aren't any people around so he won't have to afraid of their touch. That was when he found the dog who was killed with a garden 'fork'.
Chris, who admires Sherlock Holmes, then set out to investigate about the dog's death. At first, he was blamed on the incident since he was the one who found the dog but when the police realized the problems faced by Chris, they let him go (with his father la helping). This might be what set him to find out what really happened.
The book isn't mainly on Chris's investigaion. In fact, the chapters are alternated with facts that Chris wants to share (I love the chapter on our beloved MALAYSIA :)), his relationship with his teacher whom he calls Siobhan and other things that are going through his mind. Mark Haddon has managed to make us realized how different minds work. We could feel Chris's frustration when he realizes his father has been lying to him for the past two years. We understand how betrayed he has felt and how scared he was when he went to London to find his mother. In fact, somehow, we could relate to him!
The story isn't what you'd call amazing, but the writing is superb! I didn't really want to put down the book once I started reading it, thankfully, its not really a thick book! Its just an everyday story but since it comes from a special point of view, that makes the book so.. well, special!
The chapters in this book are quite unique as the don't go by our usual 1,2,3.. but it is arranged in the prime number sequence. I thought I had lost some pages in my book when I first realized the first chapter had a number '2' on it hehe.. It also has some puzzles in it and the example of the 'A' Levels Maths answer that Chris did and inserted in the book since he says it is very interesting!
All in all, I think I'll give a 4 star rating for this book, so you guys, go find the book and enjoy.. coz I sure did!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some things DO disturb me though.. is there anything as half autistic or something like that? Coz I found some similairities here.. errr..
1. Chris always used numbers to calm him down eg. counting to a hundred then calculating the square or cube for each number --> I used to do that whenever I was upset! Even when I'm tired of a journey, I'd add up the plate numbers, in my head la, of all cars I can see and try to relate them together.
2. He doesn't like public toilets or public places, fearing germs, I think! --> I always had this very extensive imagination of germs. I'd hate touching toilet doorknobs or taps bla.. bla.. bla.. coz I'd imagine the germ people have left before me, then I'd scrub my hand with soap till I think all the germs have gone away
3. Chris loves facts and hates it when people get them wrong --> For the meager facts I have stored in my head, I'm like this too. And I always get this urge to correct other peoples facts and grammer when I realize its wrong. Luckily, I'm too shy to talk to people I don't know plus the fact that I've taught myself to bite my tongue whenever I feel like doing it. I mean, people don't really like it, do they? Never REALLY tried correcting people, I usually just do it in my head!
4. Hey.. I think I'm gonna turn this into my blog entry lah pulak!
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