Oleh: Ninus D. Andarnuswari
R eaders of contemporary Indonesian literature are often confronted with abstract short stories laden with symbolism, which inevitably bore most readers. The fact is, Indonesians want something to read that is easy, enjoyable and at the same time insightful.
“Rumah Kopi Singa Tertawa” (“Laughing Tiger Cafe”) has immediate appeal. The book is a selection of short stories by Yusi Avianto Pareanom, who has written for Tempo and Forum Keadilan magazines and now runs Banana Publisher. After having spent much of his time publishing, editing and translating others’ work and teaching, Yusi decided to publish a collection of his own stories that had previously appeared in a number of different newspapers.
What makes “Rumah Kopi Singa Tertawa” stand out is how easily it evokes thought and emotion. Pangs of irony and pain as well as glimpses of joy and grief are conveyed by his stories.
Yusi’s characters struggle with their fates. His ironic and self-mocking style helps to lighten the weight of the stories’ universal themes.
Readers should be warned that they might laugh one moment, but gasp in shock the next as they read “Rumah Kopi Singa Tertawa.”
The short stories “Cara-Cara Mati Yang Kurang Aduhai” (“Not So Sad Ways to Die”), “Penyakit-Penyakit Yang Mengundang Tawa” (“Diseases That Invite Laughter”), “Ajal Anwar Sadat di Cempaka Putih” (“The End of Anwar Sadat at Cempaka Putih”) or “Sebelum Peluncuran” (“Before the Launch”) demonstrate how Yusi tackles death, disease, the coincidences of life and pretentiousness with good humor.
Another notable piece, “Edelweiss Melayat ke Ciputat” (“Edelweiss Mourns in Ciputat”) is cleverly presented as a widow’s somber recollections along with her conflicted feelings about her relationship with her ex-husband. The story offers a very sharp critique of the often insular and parochial mind-set of many urban Muslims.
Two of Yusi’s stories are taken from a novel he is writing. “Telur Rebus dan Kulit Kasim” (“Boiled Eggs and Eunuch Skin”) is a tale about an exotic land whose people have a voracious appetite for cruelty, while “Tiga Lelaki dan Seekor Anjing Yang Berlari” (“Three Men and a Dog Make Tracks”) is about the marathon journey of three men and a dog crossing a desert.
“Hukum Murphy Membelit Orang-orang Karangapi” (“Murphy’s Law Entangles the People of Karangapi”) tells the story of the ill-fated people of Karangapi, Semarang, while “Dosa Besar No. 14” (“Great Sin No. 14”) tells a story about long buried childhood memories tinged with regret. Both are told with Yusi’s typical sauciness.
“Rumah Kopi Singa Tertawa,” as its humorous title suggests, is a light compilation of ordinary conversations that highlight the eccentricities we all have.
While Yusi is a masterful satirist, he dives successfully into other genres in “Rumah Kopi Singa Tertawa.”
“Kabut Permata” (“Jewel Mist”), “Kabut Suami” (“Husband Mist”), or “Sengatan Gwen” (“The Sting of Gwen”) focus on more somber subject matter. “Tiga Maria dan Satu Mariam” (“Three Marias and One Mariam”), explores the differing lives of four women bearing similar names.
One the other hand, “Dua Kisah Pendek Tentang Punakawan” (“Two Short Stories of Clown-Servants”) is a display of Yusi’s fondness for playing with words. It consists of two delightfully long passages each consisting of one sentence.
A native of Semarang, Yusi infuses his stories with elements of his hometown. The Central Java capital is the setting for several events, likewise, several of the characters hail from Semarang. Yet even in the parts where unique Semarangan locutions are present, Yusi’s stories remain universally Indonesian.
Yusi is undoubtedly the rare Indonesian contemporary author with a characteristic flair for jest while at the same time maintaining a principle often taken for granted in Indonesian fiction: believability. And he applies that skill while avoiding hackneyed expressions.
Not that he’s a perfect storyteller.
Some readers may notice a slight weakness when it comes to maintaining plots. There are a few stories whose conclusions, like “Laki-laki di Ujung Jalan” (“Boy at the End of the Road”), seem to come too abruptly. Readers may find themselves wanting more.
Nevertheless, “Rumah Kopi Singa Tertawa” truly offers a fresh and fun way to enjoy literature, gently touching the very nerves of our senses.
As its humourous title suggests, Yusi’s book is a light compilation of ordinary conversations that highlight the eccentricities we all have. It is something we readers in Indonesia have long been missing: A piece of substantive, entertaining literature.
Rumah Kopi Singa Tertawa Yusi Avianto Pareanom Banana Publisher Bahasa Indonesia 172 pages
Sumber: JakartaGlobe
“Rumah Kopi Singa Tertawa” (“Laughing Tiger Cafe”) has immediate appeal. The book is a selection of short stories by Yusi Avianto Pareanom, who has written for Tempo and Forum Keadilan magazines and now runs Banana Publisher. After having spent much of his time publishing, editing and translating others’ work and teaching, Yusi decided to publish a collection of his own stories that had previously appeared in a number of different newspapers.
What makes “Rumah Kopi Singa Tertawa” stand out is how easily it evokes thought and emotion. Pangs of irony and pain as well as glimpses of joy and grief are conveyed by his stories.
Yusi’s characters struggle with their fates. His ironic and self-mocking style helps to lighten the weight of the stories’ universal themes.
Readers should be warned that they might laugh one moment, but gasp in shock the next as they read “Rumah Kopi Singa Tertawa.”
The short stories “Cara-Cara Mati Yang Kurang Aduhai” (“Not So Sad Ways to Die”), “Penyakit-Penyakit Yang Mengundang Tawa” (“Diseases That Invite Laughter”), “Ajal Anwar Sadat di Cempaka Putih” (“The End of Anwar Sadat at Cempaka Putih”) or “Sebelum Peluncuran” (“Before the Launch”) demonstrate how Yusi tackles death, disease, the coincidences of life and pretentiousness with good humor.
Another notable piece, “Edelweiss Melayat ke Ciputat” (“Edelweiss Mourns in Ciputat”) is cleverly presented as a widow’s somber recollections along with her conflicted feelings about her relationship with her ex-husband. The story offers a very sharp critique of the often insular and parochial mind-set of many urban Muslims.
Two of Yusi’s stories are taken from a novel he is writing. “Telur Rebus dan Kulit Kasim” (“Boiled Eggs and Eunuch Skin”) is a tale about an exotic land whose people have a voracious appetite for cruelty, while “Tiga Lelaki dan Seekor Anjing Yang Berlari” (“Three Men and a Dog Make Tracks”) is about the marathon journey of three men and a dog crossing a desert.
“Hukum Murphy Membelit Orang-orang Karangapi” (“Murphy’s Law Entangles the People of Karangapi”) tells the story of the ill-fated people of Karangapi, Semarang, while “Dosa Besar No. 14” (“Great Sin No. 14”) tells a story about long buried childhood memories tinged with regret. Both are told with Yusi’s typical sauciness.
“Rumah Kopi Singa Tertawa,” as its humorous title suggests, is a light compilation of ordinary conversations that highlight the eccentricities we all have.
While Yusi is a masterful satirist, he dives successfully into other genres in “Rumah Kopi Singa Tertawa.”
“Kabut Permata” (“Jewel Mist”), “Kabut Suami” (“Husband Mist”), or “Sengatan Gwen” (“The Sting of Gwen”) focus on more somber subject matter. “Tiga Maria dan Satu Mariam” (“Three Marias and One Mariam”), explores the differing lives of four women bearing similar names.
One the other hand, “Dua Kisah Pendek Tentang Punakawan” (“Two Short Stories of Clown-Servants”) is a display of Yusi’s fondness for playing with words. It consists of two delightfully long passages each consisting of one sentence.
A native of Semarang, Yusi infuses his stories with elements of his hometown. The Central Java capital is the setting for several events, likewise, several of the characters hail from Semarang. Yet even in the parts where unique Semarangan locutions are present, Yusi’s stories remain universally Indonesian.
Yusi is undoubtedly the rare Indonesian contemporary author with a characteristic flair for jest while at the same time maintaining a principle often taken for granted in Indonesian fiction: believability. And he applies that skill while avoiding hackneyed expressions.
Not that he’s a perfect storyteller.
Some readers may notice a slight weakness when it comes to maintaining plots. There are a few stories whose conclusions, like “Laki-laki di Ujung Jalan” (“Boy at the End of the Road”), seem to come too abruptly. Readers may find themselves wanting more.
Nevertheless, “Rumah Kopi Singa Tertawa” truly offers a fresh and fun way to enjoy literature, gently touching the very nerves of our senses.
As its humourous title suggests, Yusi’s book is a light compilation of ordinary conversations that highlight the eccentricities we all have. It is something we readers in Indonesia have long been missing: A piece of substantive, entertaining literature.
Rumah Kopi Singa Tertawa Yusi Avianto Pareanom Banana Publisher Bahasa Indonesia 172 pages
Sumber: JakartaGlobe
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