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Iban Dream #1
Iban Dream
Orphaned as a young boy in the rainforests of Borneo, Bujang is brought up by a family of orangutans, but his adult future has already been decided for him by Sengalang Burong, the Iban warpath god. On reaching adulthood, Bujang must leave his ape family and serve the warpath god as a warrior and a headhunter. Having survived his first assignment — to kill an ill-tempered demon in the form of a ferocious wild boar — subsequent adventures see Bujang converse with gods, shamans, animal spirits and with the nomadic people of Borneo as he battles evil spirits and demons to preserve the safety of those he holds dear to him. But Bujang’s greatest test is still to come and he must rally a large headhunting expedition to free his captured wife and those of his fellow villagers. In this unique work of fantasy fiction, author Golda Mowe — herself an Iban from Borneo — uses real beliefs, taboos and terminology of the Iban (a longhouse-dwelling indigenous group of people from Borneo who, until very recently, were renowned for practising headhunting) to weave an epic tale of good versus evil.
216 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2012
11 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
About the author
Golda Mowe
14 books34 followersGolda Mowe is a writer from Malaysia who writes about the Iban people of Sarawak. Since leaving the corporate world in 2004 to focus on writing, she has produced the following novels: Iban Dream (2013), Iban Journey (2015), and Iban Woman (2018) published by Monsoon Books, as well as The Monk Prince (2021) by Penguin Random House SEA.
Two children's books also by her are The Nanobots and Other Stories (2015) by Oyez!Books Kuala Lumpur and The Laughing Monster (2018) by Scholastic Singapore. She has registered Goose Books in Sibu and through it has published Fairy Con and Encounters in 2020.
Now she is embarking on a new adventure, with a series of contemporary local stories which will be published in Sarawak. You can read her free stories in Wattpad.
Two children's books also by her are The Nanobots and Other Stories (2015) by Oyez!Books Kuala Lumpur and The Laughing Monster (2018) by Scholastic Singapore. She has registered Goose Books in Sibu and through it has published Fairy Con and Encounters in 2020.
Now she is embarking on a new adventure, with a series of contemporary local stories which will be published in Sarawak. You can read her free stories in Wattpad.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
January 5, 2015
I'm really conflicted about this book.
On the one hand, it involves the legends and myths of the Iban. In a country where traditional beliefs are repressed in the name of religion, it is an eye opener to see what we were in ages past. The more violent aspect of the Iban culture is presented without judgment and one could almost empathise with their views. Senggalang Burong and Keling and the rest of the deities play a major part in the story, yet are absent enough to preserve their mysticism.
On to the bad part: there is too much description, making sentences unnecessarily complex and this in turn, enstranges the reader from the plot. Sentences are too flowery and try to hard to be Tolkienesque. There are repeated usage of words, which do not seem to fit the feel of the book, such as bard and geometrical and acidic. I couldn't get into a relationship with the book because of these.
I couldn't stop reading this book but I couldn't wait for it to finish so that I could carry on with better books.
I understand that this is her first book and even the first books of my current favourite author were quite a burden to read. I wish that she would improve and continue sharing with us local legends and myths.
God knows we need local authors to produce more of these books and less of those sexist and homophobic Malay romance novels.
On the one hand, it involves the legends and myths of the Iban. In a country where traditional beliefs are repressed in the name of religion, it is an eye opener to see what we were in ages past. The more violent aspect of the Iban culture is presented without judgment and one could almost empathise with their views. Senggalang Burong and Keling and the rest of the deities play a major part in the story, yet are absent enough to preserve their mysticism.
On to the bad part: there is too much description, making sentences unnecessarily complex and this in turn, enstranges the reader from the plot. Sentences are too flowery and try to hard to be Tolkienesque. There are repeated usage of words, which do not seem to fit the feel of the book, such as bard and geometrical and acidic. I couldn't get into a relationship with the book because of these.
I couldn't stop reading this book but I couldn't wait for it to finish so that I could carry on with better books.
I understand that this is her first book and even the first books of my current favourite author were quite a burden to read. I wish that she would improve and continue sharing with us local legends and myths.
God knows we need local authors to produce more of these books and less of those sexist and homophobic Malay romance novels.
June 16, 2020
I was listening to the marvel sountrack while reading this action-packed and full of suspense book which is a combination of anthropology, fantasy and mythology. When you put them in the wok, stirr it up, and wallah! A perfect meal!👌🏻 Magnificent! Excellent introduction to the Iban's folklore; ancient gods and demons in a shape of animals like hornbills, snakes and crocodiles.
It follows a young boy named Menjat who got cast away from the Rumah Panjang, accused by the whole village of making a pact with demons that puts curse on them and the house. He embarks on his own journey to find a home and was adopted by a chief ape called Tok Anjak who then named him as Bujang Maias (The Ape Man). You got the vibe of tarzan? This is tarzan in Iban version, with much more interesting aspects.
Not only he speaks the language of the apes, but he can talk to all animals and insects! He met many people and its community along the way, but did not settled in any, until he got into one small, poor and cursed community. From there on, he took another dangerous journey to hunt for trophies (read : powerful bad men HEADS) as a presentation for the gods to bless him and the community.
It does not stopped there. A tragic event had fallen onto them and that is his last test to go through.
I highly recommend you to read this adventurous Iban fantasy fiction. And Golda Mowe, is a great story-teller.
It follows a young boy named Menjat who got cast away from the Rumah Panjang, accused by the whole village of making a pact with demons that puts curse on them and the house. He embarks on his own journey to find a home and was adopted by a chief ape called Tok Anjak who then named him as Bujang Maias (The Ape Man). You got the vibe of tarzan? This is tarzan in Iban version, with much more interesting aspects.
Not only he speaks the language of the apes, but he can talk to all animals and insects! He met many people and its community along the way, but did not settled in any, until he got into one small, poor and cursed community. From there on, he took another dangerous journey to hunt for trophies (read : powerful bad men HEADS) as a presentation for the gods to bless him and the community.
It does not stopped there. A tragic event had fallen onto them and that is his last test to go through.
I highly recommend you to read this adventurous Iban fantasy fiction. And Golda Mowe, is a great story-teller.
February 24, 2015
This is it. Not the book that you wanted, but the book you never knew you needed. Rich in Sarawakian folklore and cultural customs, it's a nice divergence from all the swashbuckling, armour wearing, castles and cauldrons fantasy fiction.
A must read for any Malaysian, and those interested in the culture of Borneo's famous head hunters.
Is it too much to wish that this could be adapted into a series?
A must read for any Malaysian, and those interested in the culture of Borneo's famous head hunters.
Is it too much to wish that this could be adapted into a series?
October 11, 2013
3 stars
I liked the blurb. I liked it a lot. Hence, the reason I bought it.
It was interesting at start but as I read further, I started to feel disappointed. It's the writing style. It didn't bode me well. It lacked of something to make my interest to stay intact. To me, it felt like I was reading a non-fiction although of course I'm well aware this is fiction work.
On a good side, it's nice for the author to introduce the Iban cultural to the world through this book. It makes me proud. Despite my review, I support this publication.
Read on your own peril.
I liked the blurb. I liked it a lot. Hence, the reason I bought it.
It was interesting at start but as I read further, I started to feel disappointed. It's the writing style. It didn't bode me well. It lacked of something to make my interest to stay intact. To me, it felt like I was reading a non-fiction although of course I'm well aware this is fiction work.
On a good side, it's nice for the author to introduce the Iban cultural to the world through this book. It makes me proud. Despite my review, I support this publication.
Read on your own peril.
January 28, 2019
The lyrical style draws you into the world of the Iban people, interweaving indigenous culture and fantasy. Mowe cleverly blends their headhunting tradition with supernatural interactions, giving the Borneon jungle a life of its own. My only teeny tiny problem is on a certain level, because of how descriptive it is, I still felt like an outsider looking in. That aside, I'm really glad to find good Malaysian storytellers out there, especially one who can capture that of East Malaysia.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2015
Iban Dream is the story of a young Iban boy left to fend for himself after the shaman of his longhouse ordered for him to be cast out because of an evil spirit. Adopted by Tok Anjak, respected leader of the Orang Utan, as a child and claimed by Sengalang Burong, the warpath god, in his adulthood, Bujang Maias must reconcile his peaceful upbringing by the apes with the violence required of him as a warrior and headhunter.
In this fanciful tale, Mowe offers a glimpse into the ancient beliefs of the headhunting Ibans. Legends come to life as Bujang discovers his heritage and his half-forgotten adat (customs) through his conversations with the gods, the spirits, the animals, and the augur of the longhouse that he eventually comes to lead.
Mowe's writing is style is simple, capturing the innocence of Bujang and the rural naïveté of the Ibans as they come into contact with the deceptions and depravity of life outside their jungle for the first time. There is a distinctive sound to the way she writes, as if she is one of the story tellers of old, narrating according to the oral tradition.
I started reading Iban Dream not knowing what to expect. The blurb describes it as "fantasy fiction" drawing on the real beliefs, taboos and terminology of the Ibans in Borneo. The book itself reads like a mix between folktales and mythology. I'm not sure how to wrap my head around that. Because I grew up on a diet of white epic fantasy, with my preference trending towards medieval sword and sorcery, Iban Dream, with its animistic, tribalistic framework was a little jarring - not really what I was (I suppose, subconsciously) expecting.
And I suppose that's the thing. I was looking forward to something more, but did not really get it, hence the low-ish rating of 3 stars. I would have loved to say it was a 4 star book, but it didn't really capture me. Maybe it was the writing style, that folk-lorish thing she did, which while suitable for the book isn't quite my cup of tea. And I know my cup of tea very well.
In this fanciful tale, Mowe offers a glimpse into the ancient beliefs of the headhunting Ibans. Legends come to life as Bujang discovers his heritage and his half-forgotten adat (customs) through his conversations with the gods, the spirits, the animals, and the augur of the longhouse that he eventually comes to lead.
Mowe's writing is style is simple, capturing the innocence of Bujang and the rural naïveté of the Ibans as they come into contact with the deceptions and depravity of life outside their jungle for the first time. There is a distinctive sound to the way she writes, as if she is one of the story tellers of old, narrating according to the oral tradition.
I started reading Iban Dream not knowing what to expect. The blurb describes it as "fantasy fiction" drawing on the real beliefs, taboos and terminology of the Ibans in Borneo. The book itself reads like a mix between folktales and mythology. I'm not sure how to wrap my head around that. Because I grew up on a diet of white epic fantasy, with my preference trending towards medieval sword and sorcery, Iban Dream, with its animistic, tribalistic framework was a little jarring - not really what I was (I suppose, subconsciously) expecting.
And I suppose that's the thing. I was looking forward to something more, but did not really get it, hence the low-ish rating of 3 stars. I would have loved to say it was a 4 star book, but it didn't really capture me. Maybe it was the writing style, that folk-lorish thing she did, which while suitable for the book isn't quite my cup of tea. And I know my cup of tea very well.
May 19, 2015
Picked this up (via Overdrive) because I was interested to see what a local Malaysian fantasy writer would be like.
What an interesting read... it turned into somewhat of a combo of fantasy, mythology and anthropology. With stories of spirit animals, gods and demons coming to life... amidst talking jungle creatures/anthropomorphic beings... and then again the skeins of the lifestyle of the longhouse Ibans that is part documentary & part slice of life & part primer to traditional Iban customs and beliefs.
The concept and feel of the book for me is loosely like the "Vikings" series on the History Channel but for the Ibans in Sarawak.
What an interesting read... it turned into somewhat of a combo of fantasy, mythology and anthropology. With stories of spirit animals, gods and demons coming to life... amidst talking jungle creatures/anthropomorphic beings... and then again the skeins of the lifestyle of the longhouse Ibans that is part documentary & part slice of life & part primer to traditional Iban customs and beliefs.
The concept and feel of the book for me is loosely like the "Vikings" series on the History Channel but for the Ibans in Sarawak.
October 30, 2020
This is a short comment that appeared in my column in The Star newspaper on 16th Dec, 2012: This is exactly the book I’ve been waiting for – a fantasy novel that draws on the legends of our land. The author, who is of Iban and Melanau descent, was inspired by the tales she heard as a child in Sarawak and this exciting story draws on Iban mythology as well as the old ways of life that have all but disappeared. I look forward to more from Mowe and hope she will inspire other Malaysian writers to mine our local mythology for stories.
December 21, 2013
At first, I felt that the writing style was difficult and couldn't wrap my head around it that much. But actually, Iban Dream is like good pot: you must wait until you get stoned to feel the beneficial effects. Once you get the buzz, and everything falls in place, the forest will feel as though it's enveloping you. Gods, semi-gods, animals and men: a very interesting depiction of a land I love and was graced to be able to travel to.
June 16, 2013
Dazzling and different!
February 3, 2022
Total rating: 3.9 ⭐ (bear with me, I explain more below)
Firstly, I must congratulate and commend Golda Mower for her bold attempt to bring Iban culture to the forefront of the literary world where such stories are absolutely non-existent. This means that many non-Native readers from the West will be encountering the Iban race and culture for the first time through this novel. This novel represents Dayak culture and it is therefore an important piece of #ownvoices fantasy fiction which deserves recognition for that. Efforts to preserve the indigenous cultures and beliefs in Sarawak are very important. Hence, I can see why this story is very meaningful to a lot of people. My review is NOT to take away that importance or diminish its significance but just to critique certain areas which I felt were lacking or weak.
Headhunting is a custom no longer practiced by modern day Dayaks but this novel is set in ancient times. In this novel, we see what it's like for natives in the jungle living in a time before the Brooke occupation. I would assume that this novel takes place during the Sultanate of Sarawak, a traditional Malay kingdom in 1959 which witnessed the reign of a sole Sultan, Ibrahim Ali Omar Shah, because the main character meets a Malay trader and clashes steel with a Brunei slave merchant.
What did I like?
Detailed depiction of traditional Iban life
I actually learned a lot about Iban culture from this story! I had no idea about the Iban myths and legends although I was aware of all the taboos and "pantang larang" that were similar to those of Bidayuh culture. It was refreshing to see life in the longhouse. It was an eye-opening experience to read about Sengalang Burong, Kumang, Keling and other Iban mythological figures. There is plenty of warfare, spirits, demigods, warriors and wise animals. The mythology is heavily based in nature, respecting nature and honoring your ancestors which is very important for hunter-gatherer races like the Dayak. Hence, I can say that Mowe's goal in educating her audience about the culture, beliefs and traditions of the Iban people was achieved. The novel spends so much time describing the food they eat, the clothes they wear, their family and their customs. The details of the myths and locations were rich and unique.
Descriptive and engaging writing
Golda writes beautifully and with such rich, lyrical language. Her descriptive writing transported me straight into the lush jungles of Borneo. We stay in that lush jungle for nearly the entirety of the novel, meeting all sorts of animals. Loved the way she described the majestic orang utan, snakes, crocodiles and hornbill birds that are proud symbols of Sarawak. The author describes everything in third person so we get the feeling we are following an epic instead of the typical first-person adventure or epic.
I have no quarrel with her language or the way she writes conversations between the characters. Western readers may notice a lot of "Hey"s and "OOOH HA" and "Oooi". They may think it sounds weird but it is just the way Dayak people speak. It is a speech pattern that I see among my Dayak relatives and the Dayak community overall. It makes more sense when spoken in Malay, Iban or Bidayuh because "Hai" which is commonly used to call out or greet someone, even in "Bahasa Istana" or the language spoken by the Malay Sultanate (eg: Hai, Panglima, mengapa kau di sana?) does not really translate well to the casual "Hey" that English speakers may confuse it with. "Hai" and "OOoi" can be more casual or formal depending on the dialect spoken but yes, seeing this small detail makes me determined to point it out in case people say they felt the dialogue was strange.
I liked her writing but I have some criticisms which I will get to below.
What did I dislike?
Flat and unengaging main character and story
This book read like a Hercules myth crossed with Tarzan and a biblical story. If you like those kinds of stories, you might enjoy this but I prefer fantasy stories that fully delve into the fears, emotions and experiences of the main character because that is what makes them relatable to us.
However, in this story, Bujang Maias (translated: The Ape Man) has a very straightforward path and minimal insight into his character or development. The plot is linear with no disruptions or deviations in POV. I disliked that Bujang seemed too perfect and simple. Bujang has a Tarzan-esque origin story since he was abandoned by his family, adopted by apes and could speak the language of animals. His emotions weren't well described either. He was either sad, angry, happy, confused or sleepy. Even his little funny quirks like snoring too loud didn't seem funny too me. He just seemed like an action figure who just goes wherever the plot brings him and follows whatever the war god tells him to do. He doesn't rebel or feel remorse. You could argue that this is just the path of a warrior but it's quite tough to sympathize with someone who has never lost a battle.
Throughout the story, I just felt like he was too one-dimensional and the storyline grew boring. I couldn't even read his fight scenes because I knew that he would win. And he did! The story just shows how he grows into a strong, brave warrior and sets up his own longhouse. His love story was also very typical since he ended up falling in love with a beautiful Iban girl. No conflict whatsoever. It's just love at first sight and he overcomes her jealous ex or something like that.
The only real change and character development I saw in him was when he embraced his son from his wife instead of abandoning him even though he is unsure of its parentage (ah, we love a good dad who does not repeat his father's sins). Still, he has no remorse killing young boys because he knows they will come back for revenge so his bloodthirsty rage is still there.
I am okay with morally grey and berserk characters. I would even expect this because of the nature of headhunting practiced by the Ibans long time ago but in this case, Bujang felt underdeveloped and unrealistic.
Climax of story came too early
The plot is very simple. Bujang's family was murdered by a rival troop of headhunters. Bujang was raised by apes. Then, he becomes the war god's chosen one and goes out to avenge his families, vowing to return with the heads of his enemies who showed no mercy to his parents...
And he does this. Within the first 40% of the novel!
That's bad, folks. What are we gonna read for the next 60%? This is why I felt disappointed that such an important climax was placed so early in the novel. Once he achieved this goal in a battle that wasn't even that memorable, I felt let down. What are we supposed to look forward now? Oh yeah, we have the second climax and secondary plot of Bujang saving his wife from the Brunei slave merchant but I just feel like one good climax would have been more memorable. It diminished the importance of avenging his family's murder.
There is no rhyme or reason to the will of the gods either. Sengalang Burong, the war god is bloodthirsty, simple as that. He wants to pick a warrior of his own and turn him into a headhunter who can slay hundreds of enemies for him. There was no further explanation why. You just have to go along with it. I disliked that the god was NOT EVEN in the second half of the story. He appears in the first 40% of the novel but never really showed himself again? It makes no sense since his name is on the summary so I'd expect to see more of him.
Lots of filler
Some chapters and pages are too long. Too many descriptive sentences. This novel could have been toned down to just a few important events. I found myself skipping a few chapters if they're just talking about mountains, forests and animals because those themes were repeated many times in the beginning as well.
Overall, it is not a bad novel for a debut author but could have been simplified and edited more. The main character should be developed more as well and we as the readers should be able to relate to him more. Perhaps it was Bujang's lack of emotion that made me unable to relate to him?
Still, I am proud of Golda's attempt to create a Dayak fantasy story. We don't have any of those EVER so this story might be a favourite of many. Don't let my review discourage you from reading it. I can imagine the story sounding really powerful if translated to its native tongue, Iban!
TW: Rape, kidnap, slavery, lots of gore and violence, decapitation, headhunting.
Firstly, I must congratulate and commend Golda Mower for her bold attempt to bring Iban culture to the forefront of the literary world where such stories are absolutely non-existent. This means that many non-Native readers from the West will be encountering the Iban race and culture for the first time through this novel. This novel represents Dayak culture and it is therefore an important piece of #ownvoices fantasy fiction which deserves recognition for that. Efforts to preserve the indigenous cultures and beliefs in Sarawak are very important. Hence, I can see why this story is very meaningful to a lot of people. My review is NOT to take away that importance or diminish its significance but just to critique certain areas which I felt were lacking or weak.
Headhunting is a custom no longer practiced by modern day Dayaks but this novel is set in ancient times. In this novel, we see what it's like for natives in the jungle living in a time before the Brooke occupation. I would assume that this novel takes place during the Sultanate of Sarawak, a traditional Malay kingdom in 1959 which witnessed the reign of a sole Sultan, Ibrahim Ali Omar Shah, because the main character meets a Malay trader and clashes steel with a Brunei slave merchant.
What did I like?
Detailed depiction of traditional Iban life
I actually learned a lot about Iban culture from this story! I had no idea about the Iban myths and legends although I was aware of all the taboos and "pantang larang" that were similar to those of Bidayuh culture. It was refreshing to see life in the longhouse. It was an eye-opening experience to read about Sengalang Burong, Kumang, Keling and other Iban mythological figures. There is plenty of warfare, spirits, demigods, warriors and wise animals. The mythology is heavily based in nature, respecting nature and honoring your ancestors which is very important for hunter-gatherer races like the Dayak. Hence, I can say that Mowe's goal in educating her audience about the culture, beliefs and traditions of the Iban people was achieved. The novel spends so much time describing the food they eat, the clothes they wear, their family and their customs. The details of the myths and locations were rich and unique.
Descriptive and engaging writing
Golda writes beautifully and with such rich, lyrical language. Her descriptive writing transported me straight into the lush jungles of Borneo. We stay in that lush jungle for nearly the entirety of the novel, meeting all sorts of animals. Loved the way she described the majestic orang utan, snakes, crocodiles and hornbill birds that are proud symbols of Sarawak. The author describes everything in third person so we get the feeling we are following an epic instead of the typical first-person adventure or epic.
I have no quarrel with her language or the way she writes conversations between the characters. Western readers may notice a lot of "Hey"s and "OOOH HA" and "Oooi". They may think it sounds weird but it is just the way Dayak people speak. It is a speech pattern that I see among my Dayak relatives and the Dayak community overall. It makes more sense when spoken in Malay, Iban or Bidayuh because "Hai" which is commonly used to call out or greet someone, even in "Bahasa Istana" or the language spoken by the Malay Sultanate (eg: Hai, Panglima, mengapa kau di sana?) does not really translate well to the casual "Hey" that English speakers may confuse it with. "Hai" and "OOoi" can be more casual or formal depending on the dialect spoken but yes, seeing this small detail makes me determined to point it out in case people say they felt the dialogue was strange.
I liked her writing but I have some criticisms which I will get to below.
What did I dislike?
Flat and unengaging main character and story
This book read like a Hercules myth crossed with Tarzan and a biblical story. If you like those kinds of stories, you might enjoy this but I prefer fantasy stories that fully delve into the fears, emotions and experiences of the main character because that is what makes them relatable to us.
However, in this story, Bujang Maias (translated: The Ape Man) has a very straightforward path and minimal insight into his character or development. The plot is linear with no disruptions or deviations in POV. I disliked that Bujang seemed too perfect and simple. Bujang has a Tarzan-esque origin story since he was abandoned by his family, adopted by apes and could speak the language of animals. His emotions weren't well described either. He was either sad, angry, happy, confused or sleepy. Even his little funny quirks like snoring too loud didn't seem funny too me. He just seemed like an action figure who just goes wherever the plot brings him and follows whatever the war god tells him to do. He doesn't rebel or feel remorse. You could argue that this is just the path of a warrior but it's quite tough to sympathize with someone who has never lost a battle.
Throughout the story, I just felt like he was too one-dimensional and the storyline grew boring. I couldn't even read his fight scenes because I knew that he would win. And he did! The story just shows how he grows into a strong, brave warrior and sets up his own longhouse. His love story was also very typical since he ended up falling in love with a beautiful Iban girl. No conflict whatsoever. It's just love at first sight and he overcomes her jealous ex or something like that.
The only real change and character development I saw in him was when he embraced his son from his wife instead of abandoning him even though he is unsure of its parentage (ah, we love a good dad who does not repeat his father's sins). Still, he has no remorse killing young boys because he knows they will come back for revenge so his bloodthirsty rage is still there.
I am okay with morally grey and berserk characters. I would even expect this because of the nature of headhunting practiced by the Ibans long time ago but in this case, Bujang felt underdeveloped and unrealistic.
Climax of story came too early
The plot is very simple. Bujang's family was murdered by a rival troop of headhunters. Bujang was raised by apes. Then, he becomes the war god's chosen one and goes out to avenge his families, vowing to return with the heads of his enemies who showed no mercy to his parents...
And he does this. Within the first 40% of the novel!
That's bad, folks. What are we gonna read for the next 60%? This is why I felt disappointed that such an important climax was placed so early in the novel. Once he achieved this goal in a battle that wasn't even that memorable, I felt let down. What are we supposed to look forward now? Oh yeah, we have the second climax and secondary plot of Bujang saving his wife from the Brunei slave merchant but I just feel like one good climax would have been more memorable. It diminished the importance of avenging his family's murder.
There is no rhyme or reason to the will of the gods either. Sengalang Burong, the war god is bloodthirsty, simple as that. He wants to pick a warrior of his own and turn him into a headhunter who can slay hundreds of enemies for him. There was no further explanation why. You just have to go along with it. I disliked that the god was NOT EVEN in the second half of the story. He appears in the first 40% of the novel but never really showed himself again? It makes no sense since his name is on the summary so I'd expect to see more of him.
Lots of filler
Some chapters and pages are too long. Too many descriptive sentences. This novel could have been toned down to just a few important events. I found myself skipping a few chapters if they're just talking about mountains, forests and animals because those themes were repeated many times in the beginning as well.
Overall, it is not a bad novel for a debut author but could have been simplified and edited more. The main character should be developed more as well and we as the readers should be able to relate to him more. Perhaps it was Bujang's lack of emotion that made me unable to relate to him?
Still, I am proud of Golda's attempt to create a Dayak fantasy story. We don't have any of those EVER so this story might be a favourite of many. Don't let my review discourage you from reading it. I can imagine the story sounding really powerful if translated to its native tongue, Iban!
TW: Rape, kidnap, slavery, lots of gore and violence, decapitation, headhunting.
May 8, 2025
Mixed opinion about this book. Took a lo...ong time to finish it. The theme is interesting, so is the plot. The author has done meticulous ethnographic research that has enriched the book. I enjoyed reading it for the academic value, and would recommend this to anyone who wishes to develop deep understanding of Iban mythology, folklore, and culture. This aspect is so crucial given that the Iban people have been deliberately kept out of political power by Malaysia's political regimes that sugercoat fascism under the cloak of ethnonationalism. Their indigenous culture has been subjected to fetishization and ruthless denigration by Malaysia's fascist regimes that privilege a particular religion and community, while severely oppressing others. The Ibans are an unfortunate community, that way.
The tougher part of the book is the descriptive writing style where the author is focused on describing, instead of 'showing'. The book would have benefitted from proper Editorial support from the publisher.
The tougher part of the book is the descriptive writing style where the author is focused on describing, instead of 'showing'. The book would have benefitted from proper Editorial support from the publisher.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2022
This has been on my TBR for ages! I finally started reading it on the flight back to my hometown for Christmas. As an Iban, the story felt both familiar and unfamiliar, and made me realise how little I am aware of my own cultures and customs. I dove headfirst into the book and in the 1.5 hour flight, finished nearly a 1/3 of it. The imagery was vivid and drew the me in easily. When the main character - Bujang Maias - was in the lush jungle, I was there with him, when he faced the river god, I was there behind the tree cowering in fear. The first 2/3 was infinitely more interesting than the last bit of the book, and I felt the ending could be a little stronger. There is a sequel to this book, but I haven't decided if I want to tackle it yet as it has a lot to live up to.
March 22, 2020
This is a very interesting book. I like the character, the plot & the narration. I like the incorporation of Iban myths & tradition in the stories. However, the main character, Bujang solves almost all conflicts with ease. Being gifted, he killed many spirit demons & other hunter warriors in simple combat. Bujang was also born with ?imperforated penis (can he pee?). Maybe it's some sort of penile anomaly. The term for religious teacher used in this book is Iman, in my opinion, it should be Imam. The pacing is a bit slow at some part. Overall, the book is an enjoyable read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2019
awesome! my first novel after so many years. had bought 2 other books (sequels to this) earlier but i didn’t want to read them coz i want to read the iban dream first. now i can’t wait to read the other two books. reading iban dream is such an immersing experience. i feel i was in the middle of the jungle. as an iban myself i can relate to the story but the way it was so beautiful told is refreshing.
December 13, 2023
Love this fictional book. By local author. Kudos to her. Although it is fictional, i can get a glimpse of what the cultural life of iban. Her description of the jungle made me felt like as if i was in the jungle with Bujang Maias. i felt his loneliness. I felt his rage his warrior-ness, his excitement, his shyness everything describe in this book, the choice of word is very capturing and mesmerizing. Very very good book. So glad i read and cant wait to read the next sequel.
May 4, 2017
Fantastic and magical - read in Indonesian Borneo while staying in a long house.
December 9, 2018
I like the style of writing but the progress of the story is a little slow.
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March 28, 2023Malaysia
May 30, 2013
I believe in broadening my horizons when it comes to reading. For me that means giving new writers a chance to steal my heart away from more established writers like J.R.R. Tolkien, Robert Jordan, the Bronte sisters and Agatha Christie to name a few.
Malaysian author Golda Mowe's book Iban Dream is a perfect example of what can happen when readers break away from the New York Times' Best Sellers list and instead choose a lesser known author's work!
Drawing upon her first hand knowledge of the beliefs and taboos of the Iban people, Borneo's indigenous population, Iban Dream should appeal to both fiction and fantasy readers. The book opens on a tragic note. The main character Bujang is accused of bringing the wrath of evil spirits into his village and is sent to live elsewhere. When he finds his way back to the village (a major feat considering he is just a young boy) he discovers the village has been attacked by head hunters. There are no survivors and the young boy finds himself an orphan. The story follows Bujang's experiences of growing up, falling in love, becoming a father and yes, becoming a headhunter himself.
Iban Dream is not for the faint of heart as the battle elements of the story are quite descriptive and might upset a younger reader. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and found it was hard to put down at times, however, there are a few places in the book where I felt the author got a little caught up in describing the story instead of telling the story.
Malaysian author Golda Mowe's book Iban Dream is a perfect example of what can happen when readers break away from the New York Times' Best Sellers list and instead choose a lesser known author's work!
Drawing upon her first hand knowledge of the beliefs and taboos of the Iban people, Borneo's indigenous population, Iban Dream should appeal to both fiction and fantasy readers. The book opens on a tragic note. The main character Bujang is accused of bringing the wrath of evil spirits into his village and is sent to live elsewhere. When he finds his way back to the village (a major feat considering he is just a young boy) he discovers the village has been attacked by head hunters. There are no survivors and the young boy finds himself an orphan. The story follows Bujang's experiences of growing up, falling in love, becoming a father and yes, becoming a headhunter himself.
Iban Dream is not for the faint of heart as the battle elements of the story are quite descriptive and might upset a younger reader. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and found it was hard to put down at times, however, there are a few places in the book where I felt the author got a little caught up in describing the story instead of telling the story.
October 23, 2014
This review and more on So Bookalicious
One of the things I love the most about being a book blogger is that I get send books from all over the world. It is very interesting to learn about new cultures. This is also the case with Iban Dream. Golda Mowe shares her knowledge of the beliefs and taboos of the Iban people, Borneo’s indigenous people. This book should appeal to fiction and fantasy readers.
The book follows the life of Bujang, from him being a boy to a full grown man with a family of his own. Bujang was only a boy when he was sent away from his family because his community thought him to be evil. Many years he survived in the jungle thanks to his ape family, I couldn’t help but think about Tarzan when reading this part. When the time is ripe he again joins the human world where he must find a home of his own. Through his eyes the author shares the cultural beliefs of the Iban people. I learned so much by reading this book and I can’t thank the author enough for it.
The book was really interesting and I loved that I learned a lot about his new culture. But I couldn’t help that my mind visited different places while reading this book. I can’t say anything bad about the writing style because technically there was nothing wrong with it, but it was just not the right one for me.
Overall an enjoyable book with a lot of interesting facts. I would recommend to everyone who wants to learn something from a different culture.
One of the things I love the most about being a book blogger is that I get send books from all over the world. It is very interesting to learn about new cultures. This is also the case with Iban Dream. Golda Mowe shares her knowledge of the beliefs and taboos of the Iban people, Borneo’s indigenous people. This book should appeal to fiction and fantasy readers.
The book follows the life of Bujang, from him being a boy to a full grown man with a family of his own. Bujang was only a boy when he was sent away from his family because his community thought him to be evil. Many years he survived in the jungle thanks to his ape family, I couldn’t help but think about Tarzan when reading this part. When the time is ripe he again joins the human world where he must find a home of his own. Through his eyes the author shares the cultural beliefs of the Iban people. I learned so much by reading this book and I can’t thank the author enough for it.
The book was really interesting and I loved that I learned a lot about his new culture. But I couldn’t help that my mind visited different places while reading this book. I can’t say anything bad about the writing style because technically there was nothing wrong with it, but it was just not the right one for me.
Overall an enjoyable book with a lot of interesting facts. I would recommend to everyone who wants to learn something from a different culture.
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April 23, 2016As the promo blurb says - this is the book many have been waiting for ... taking the spirituality and knowledge of the Malay natives out of the longhouse and onto the world stage. I really enjoyed this and found it equal parts fascinating, informative, and thrilling. As the Iban culture is based on principles quite removed from the modern world it was an insight to a world and culture unknown to me. The fantasy element also allows the narrative to develop in interesting ways and directions. With the reader engaged and off-balance the experience is refreshing and invigorating.
disclaimer: Golda is a FB acquaintance and we are very distantly related.
disclaimer: Golda is a FB acquaintance and we are very distantly related.
August 24, 2013
To be honest, I felt a bit disappointed. I guess that's what you get for believing TheStar. The description in this book is refinedly-crude and it doesn't really bode well with my usual preference of a more feminine writing style. Nonetheless, it doesn't defeat the fact that it is indeed a triumph in drawing attention to the vibrancy of the Malaysian indigenous. Bringing life to the oft-neglected part of the Malaysian culture, Iban Dream fell short of being amazing not because of its flaw, but, selfishly, my personal preference.
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January 16, 2017I thought this book was a fantastic and interesting look into some of the tribal beliefs of the Iban people. Though it is a work of fiction it still answered some questions I had from my visit to the Kuching Museam. This book was a great read while traveling through Borneo. I devoured it and hunted down the sequel!
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