Wednesday, 16 November 2016
Monday, 14 November 2016
Because I am such a geek who wastes money...
I'll be posting my Florida holiday pictures soon, but in the meantime, here are some stuff in my room that I bought from said holiday :)
Sunday, 13 November 2016
Book Review - 'When the Sea Turned to Silver' by Grace Lin
2023 EDIT: Part of my 2023 clear-up, of books I no longer like, or am no longer interested in, or remember well as standing out, or find as special anymore, or I otherwise will not miss.
Final Score: 3.5/5
Original Review:
A sequel of sorts to the masterpiece, 'Where the Mountains Meets the Moon', also by Grace Lin, 'When the Sea Turned to Silver' is a beautifully-intricate children's fantasy, revolving solely around Asian stories and culture. It teaches us that the sky (and the sea) may not be the limit after all.
Fundamentally, it teaches the power of stories, and how they help in making anyone and anything... immortal.
Having first read it on Wednesday 9th November 2016, I was in much need of a soul lift; courage, and a good, tranquil pick-me-up after believing I'd lost all hope and faith in humanity.
'When the Sea Turned to Silver' delivered, indeed: Strong female relationships, family ties, friendships, finding bravery from the most timid, the magic of storytelling and the truth in legends, learning from the past and what it can tell us that's relevant in the present, and standing up to a corrupt, self-entitled ruler (who is obsessed with building walls to keep certain people out, which chilled me) - just a few things the world needs to hear. Even from a book with dragons and mermaids in it.
'When the Sea Turned to Silver' is easy to read in two days, in spite of its 366 pages. Exactly like in 'When the Mountain Meets the Moon', the lovely, illustrious illustrations paint a bright picture on the occasional page like a canvas. The writing is just as vivid and arresting in its sweetly describing the beauty of all things given in nature. They are as magical a gift as any fantastical beast and stone palace. Altogether these create in the book touches of rich colours and senses; an atmosphere of pure wonder and innocence.
Some shades are confusing and nonsensical, however. It takes over half of the quest story for the pieces of its mystery - connected to the stories told by two of the main characters - to start fitting together (when strands of it are not obvious, anyway). While the stories are a nice catharsis after an intense action/conflict scene, not all the little tales are relevant to the overall plot presently happening.
And I found the main boy, Yishan, to be annoying, and patronising to the main girl protagonist - the loving, scared and ordinary Pinmei, who slowly becomes a hero both in telling hopeful stories and in ultimately stopping evil through brains instead of violence. I feel like I've seen this boy-and-girl pairing hundreds of times before. But at least there is no romance - thank you so, so much Ms Lin - and there are other characters spread far and wide to interact and spend time with. Like Lady Meng, and Pinmei's grandmother Amah.
Nearly everyone has secrets of his and her own; all aiding the non-adventurous Pinmei on her perilous journey where nothing is just a story anymore.
A contrast to 'Where the Mountain Meets the Moon', aside from the degrees of plot simplicity, I feel I have to mention is the protagonists.
Pinmei is Minli's opposite in personality. Little Minli is determined and active; slightly older Pinmei is sheltered and passive. But she develops a more active role throughout the course of 'When the Sea Turned to Silver', and like Minli, at the end of her story she discovers and appreciates the importance of belonging to a loving family.
'When the Sea Turned to Silver' - Another gripping, enchanting, optimistic and cleverly-woven saga about stories by Grace Lin. Highly recommended, especially right now.
Final Score: 4/5
Final Score: 3.5/5
Original Review:
A sequel of sorts to the masterpiece, 'Where the Mountains Meets the Moon', also by Grace Lin, 'When the Sea Turned to Silver' is a beautifully-intricate children's fantasy, revolving solely around Asian stories and culture. It teaches us that the sky (and the sea) may not be the limit after all.
Fundamentally, it teaches the power of stories, and how they help in making anyone and anything... immortal.
Having first read it on Wednesday 9th November 2016, I was in much need of a soul lift; courage, and a good, tranquil pick-me-up after believing I'd lost all hope and faith in humanity.
'When the Sea Turned to Silver' delivered, indeed: Strong female relationships, family ties, friendships, finding bravery from the most timid, the magic of storytelling and the truth in legends, learning from the past and what it can tell us that's relevant in the present, and standing up to a corrupt, self-entitled ruler (who is obsessed with building walls to keep certain people out, which chilled me) - just a few things the world needs to hear. Even from a book with dragons and mermaids in it.
'When the Sea Turned to Silver' is easy to read in two days, in spite of its 366 pages. Exactly like in 'When the Mountain Meets the Moon', the lovely, illustrious illustrations paint a bright picture on the occasional page like a canvas. The writing is just as vivid and arresting in its sweetly describing the beauty of all things given in nature. They are as magical a gift as any fantastical beast and stone palace. Altogether these create in the book touches of rich colours and senses; an atmosphere of pure wonder and innocence.
Some shades are confusing and nonsensical, however. It takes over half of the quest story for the pieces of its mystery - connected to the stories told by two of the main characters - to start fitting together (when strands of it are not obvious, anyway). While the stories are a nice catharsis after an intense action/conflict scene, not all the little tales are relevant to the overall plot presently happening.
And I found the main boy, Yishan, to be annoying, and patronising to the main girl protagonist - the loving, scared and ordinary Pinmei, who slowly becomes a hero both in telling hopeful stories and in ultimately stopping evil through brains instead of violence. I feel like I've seen this boy-and-girl pairing hundreds of times before. But at least there is no romance - thank you so, so much Ms Lin - and there are other characters spread far and wide to interact and spend time with. Like Lady Meng, and Pinmei's grandmother Amah.
Nearly everyone has secrets of his and her own; all aiding the non-adventurous Pinmei on her perilous journey where nothing is just a story anymore.
A contrast to 'Where the Mountain Meets the Moon', aside from the degrees of plot simplicity, I feel I have to mention is the protagonists.
Pinmei is Minli's opposite in personality. Little Minli is determined and active; slightly older Pinmei is sheltered and passive. But she develops a more active role throughout the course of 'When the Sea Turned to Silver', and like Minli, at the end of her story she discovers and appreciates the importance of belonging to a loving family.
'When the Sea Turned to Silver' - Another gripping, enchanting, optimistic and cleverly-woven saga about stories by Grace Lin. Highly recommended, especially right now.
Final Score: 4/5
I will be buying more books by diverse authors; one of my ways of showing the beautiful, diverse world and the diverse people in it that someone does care about them. That they are loved. True progress - in recognizing and respecting everyone as human beings, regardless of literally whatever - and moving forward are not achieved by viewing the world through the lens of the overprivileged. See, understand, and show x
Wednesday, 9 November 2016
I had a great time in the US, but right now I cannot say I'm sad to have left when I did. Monsters are not childish fantasies. They describe human beings; people who do and say the absolute vilest things with no shame. Who are against human progress and thrive on dividing and oppressing others not like them. Powerful influences in culture and society, it turns out. What is also real? Cowardice. But also Hope. We cannot afford to give up on hope at a time like this. Support your neighbours, every last one of them. Call out bigotry when you see it. 2016 - The year we need to believe that things will get better x :)
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