Menagerie, published by Lontar Foundation, is a compilation of Indonesian literature works – including fictious short stories, poetries, photographs, and essays – from various authors translated by various translaters.
And this is its first prima donna.
Some of the stories included are really worth mentioning, in my opinion.
For instance, Zero Point by B.Y. Tand which was one of my favorites. It told a story a man with two pregnant wives..both, as women who were looking for protection in a man, were powerless.
“The Fence”, written by Hamsad Rangkuti was another favorite of mine, for it taught a unique point of view in thinking. Which one should come first? A jar or a sugar? A fence or something of value?
“The Purification of Sita” by Leila S Chudori was the one that was most special for me. Here a story of a woman, who was afraid of being guilty for an affair while she actually did nothing, was told. Her guilt was actually pointless as actually she was the one who was cheated by her lover, who pleaded her to understand him, as women were supposed to have more self control while men, when it came to dealing with temptations of the flesh, didn’t seem willing to be rational. This point of view was compared with the legend of Sita, whose love was doubted by Vishnu, her husband after she was held captive by the enemy. If only Sita had had a chance to question her husband…
“She suddenly remembered that the Queen had never been given the opportunity to question her husband. Supposing that she had asked ‘During the time that we were separated, my husband, were you tempted to involve yourself with another woman..?’But no, that sort of question was not raised. And never would be allowed to be raised. How strange..”
Next in line was a short story written by NH Dini, titled “Warsiah”. Once more, this story pictured the inequality between men and women. It told a story of Warsiah, who, despite her forever humble dream of merely having a man that would love her, was forced to taste the bitterness of her husband’s betrayal. And when she was simply being determined, to defend her rights, by proposing for a divorce, she was again forced to swallow the bitter consequences: the new way men look at her as a divorced woman.
“The Gift”, a work by Putu Wijaya, came in third. It’s a story of a husband who was desperately trying to bring happiness to his wife, by fulfiling his promise when he once proposed her while on the other hand, his wife saw him deeper than that simple ridiculous promise of youth.
Other than those, there was also “Minem Has a Baby” by Putu Wijaya that portrayed a simple life and way of thinking in the village, how a father became very proud by being able to marry his daughter to another man in her early ages..as early as twelve year old.
And there was “Mother’s Wall” by Danarto, telling how pettyly and shortmindedly children thought of and recognized their mom, despite everything a mother had done.
Some poetries were also worth to be pinpointed, such as “Narcissus” by Sapardi Djoko Damono and “Pariyem’s Confession” by Linus Suryadi, which should be praised for its unique words selection and composition.
Menagerie is definitely a must to read! I am in fact wandering if I could have the following volumes…..
