MOON OVER MY OBSCURE LITTLE TOWN
Stranger
Stranger
Someone stranger
Standing in a mirror
I can’t believe what I see
How much love has been taken away from me
My heart cries out loud
Every time I feel lonely in the crowd
Getting you out of my mind
Like separating the wind from the cloud
Afraid
Afraid
I’m so afraid
Of losing someone I never have
Crazy, oh crazy
Finding reasons for my jealousy
All I can remember
When you left me alone
Under the moon over my obscure little town
As long as I can remember
Love has turned to be as cold as December
The moon over my obscure little town
The moon over my obscure little town
It is a poem translated made by Enong alias Maryamah, one main character in the latest novel by Andrea Hirata. This very poem, recited by Ikal in Indonesian, is translated into English by someone who never graduated from Elementary school. From Ikal’s point of view, I was brought the his description of the changes, the struggle, the spirit, the talent, the courage of a girl named Enong in facing the hardship in life. Thus, there are at least three different reasons why the novel entitled Padang Bulan is a must-have and a must-read novel.
First, the description of the character’s courage to alter the destiny makes me recommend this novel to be read. In this novel, Enong is depicted as someone who does not even graduate from her elementary schools but through her spirit of learning, she can be the best five graduate from an English course. Life has made her become sudden breadwinner due to her father’s passing away. She has been plucked so soon from her learning age to someone who bears her family’s life. She has to work hard by becoming a tin miner, a work field which is dominated by male. Then, from zero to hero, through her effort, she can be the winner of chess competition, which is once again a male-domineering sport. She becomes the first woman who becomes participants and the winner in this male-sport.
Second, this novel teaches me a lot through the character’s life development. From the lessons that I can get, I recommend this novel to be read. From Maryamah or Enong, u can learn that actually there’s nothing impossible. If there is a will, there will always a way. When we are willing to do something and do put our effort to the fullest, what we dream of can be reality. From her, I also learn the struggle. From someone that does not know English into someone that can produce something using the language, English. From someone that does not know chess, or even touch them, she can be the master of chess in her area. It comes from her belief that: Give me something difficult, then I learn. From this, I know that learning is a daring attitude to challenge the impossible. Just like what Andrea states that not knowing something will become our fear. By learning hard, we conquer our fear.
Finally, what I like about the book is its design. It is unique since I can read the first and its sequel Cinta dalam Gelas within one book. Thus, I don’t need to buy two different books to read. I don’t need to spend much money to buy two different books.
To conclude with, this novel is a worth-reading book. It brings us to the emotional roller coaster of the characters. I laughed, cried and got surprised along the reading. So, go to the nearest bookstore.
