King of the Sea

by Dina Zaman

King of The Sea (a collection of short stories) took Dina Zaman (the author of I Am Muslim) about 13 years to complete. The stories began as part of her project she was a masters student at Lancaster University in 1993, inspired by her homesickness, and her longing for the 'Terengganu air'. She explores themes of love, grief, loss and longing, and the magic in our lives. A young boy, grieving for his late father, meets a ghost who tells him that he is the king of the sea. Alia, a missing child, comes back as a chicken to bewildered parents. A daughter witnesses an affair by her unfaithful mother, but she is not sure if she was hallucinating. A young man arrives on an island, and marries a jungle spirit, a bunian. Hell breaks lose in a small village when a brash modern city woman decides to live there. A teacher who longs for a more glamorous life, literally, disappears into a movie screen.

Dina Zaman, a survivor from the I Am Muslim tsunami, has been writing in the Malaysian media for over 17 years. Her first book, a collection of short stories, night & day, which was part of the Black & White series, was published by Rhino Press in 1997. She has had her works of fiction, and non-fiction, published in many journals and periodicals, locally and regionally. She is currently studying saints, and other holy men and women, and their impact on Malaysia for her next book Holy Men, Holy Women under the API Fellowship 2012-2013 programme that she has just been awarded.

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories, Contemporary

232 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Fadillah · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Everyone has been taught this : Allah gives, Allah Takes and Death is everyone’s fate”.
- King of the sea by Dina Zaman
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Dina Zaman wrote 9 wonderful short stories that takes place in Terengganu that is not time-specific but as a reader, i believe we can decipher it by the details of each story. I was not expecting that some stories can be downright depressing (‘The rainstorm’, ‘Alia’ & ‘The Translator’), some is totally mind boggling (‘’Her hair’, ‘And she become an angel’ & ‘Man of the Jungle’) and some stories were brief but impactful (‘Masbabu’ ‘King of the Sea’ and ‘Nah The Masseur’). As Dina wrote these stories because she missed her hometown while she was away studying at Lancaster University, it made me wonder what i will write about Ipoh if i ever left Malaysia in a certain period of time. The common themes that i found in these stories would be grief and love intertwining with passion, obsession and jealousy. The way of rural folks living in Terengganu (whether they believe in myth/shamanism or the jealousy over outsider or even the way of living) were portrayed fairly in the eye of someone who grew up there. The occasionally Terengganu slangs in the dialogues made the stories more lively and authentic. Although predominantly sets in Terengganu, I feel it can represent the many types of Malaysian Muslims there is - that is if one is curious, you can pick up this book. It gives you every shades and colors - the faithful one, the nonchalant one, the chill one and the passionate one. Overall, i thoroughly enjoyed this book and managed to finish it in one sitting.
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(Re-read the new edition of this book)
Syed tells him his plan of sailing from Batu Buruk beach to Pekalongan, Indonesia, and Mr. Rajen stares at him in disbelief. All this derangement must have come from his friend’s recent visits to Yogyakarta, seeking out his Arab roots. If it’s one thing this country does particularly well, Mr. Rajen harrumphs, it is to not acknowledge anyone who is not Malay. Here’s Syed who’s Muslim and according to what he’s read on the Internet, comes from a lineage that is related to their prophet, Muhammad, Peace Be Upon Him, but Syed is not Malay and never will be. Oh, the proclivities of being Malaysian.
- The Last Indian Man Left Standing in Kuala Terengganu : King of the Sea by Dina Zaman
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I’m revising my review of this book because I received an eBook version of the updated edition of "King of the Sea" by Dina Zaman. I first read this book two years ago and was genuinely impressed by it, a feeling that still resonates with me. For those interested in my original review, I’ve included it below. Regarding the three new stories in this edition, it's clear that the theme of the "SEA" remains central to each of them, just as the title suggests. "The Last Indian Man Left Standing in Kuala Terengganu" gives us the perspective of Mr. Rajen, who was born and raised in Kuala Terengganu. He deeply loves this state and wouldn’t trade it for anything. His pride and protectiveness for Kuala Terengganu stem from the fact that it’s where he grew up, and he plans to live there for the rest of his life. Enter his best friend—someone who is a bit problematic, volatile, and stubborn, with a wild idea of sailing from Batu Burok, Terengganu to Pekalongan, Indonesia in search of his ancestors' footsteps. The narration of "The Treasure Hunt" is more relaxed. Our protagonist, a middle-aged individual, has been tasked with overseeing the division of property after their parents' passing. During this process, they meet a mysterious woman who claims to have a connection with them, mentioning relatives they once knew. What begins as a casual conversation quickly takes a more serious turn. This story really highlights how easily people can be deceived. I struggled to connect with the story "Birthday Cake." I wanted to enjoy it, but there were too many missing details for me to feel the intended sadness for both main characters. Their love was unrequited in the past, and now it seems impossible for them to be together, especially given the difficult situation the female character is in. Overall, considering what I’ve read before along with these three new stories in this edition, it’s a solid collection of short stories. You get a genuine sense of Terengganu’s essence, insight into the psyche of the Malays living there, and a touch of nostalgia for what it was like to grow up amidst the blend of rural life and urbanization at that time.
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Thank You Rosalind Chua for the review copy.

[Rachell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this compilation to be frustrating. First, all of the stories could be at least ten pages longer. Time after time, Zaman introduces an intriguing premise, only to end it abruptly. The imagery is often vivid and evocative, but the story concludes before we've gotten to know the characters.

[Nadirah · Rating 3 out of 5]

"King of the Sea" is an odd hodgepodge of short stories about the people in a small village in Terengganu. I love its focus on the different personalities dotting this village. It's always nice to see our local cuisine, culture, places, and events represented in the literary scene.

That said, while the stories were interesting, they never go beyond the surface, so I'm left feeling a little underwhelmed. Glad I read this though (it's available at Perpustakaan Negeri Malaysia via Libby), as they offer a small glimpse into a time in the past that is rapidly vanishing as modernity creeps in closer and closer into these small villages...

[Iman Danial Hakim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Menarik! Cerita-ceritanya ada sedikit percikan absurditi, ala-ala Tari Pasar Perempuan.

[Stephen Dartnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Synopsis of King of The Sea

King of The Sea is a beautiful collection of short stories about the people of Malaysia by Malaysian writer Dina Zaman. It was published by Silverfish Books in 2012.

Zaman explores themes of love, grief, loss and longing, and the magic in our lives. A young boy, grieving for his late father, meets a ghost who tells him that he is the king of the sea. Alia, a missing child, comes back as a chicken to bewildered parents. A daughter witnesses an affair by her unfaithful mother, but she is not sure if she was hallucinating. King of The Sea is a light read with plenty of local Malay spices!

I bought my copy from WH Smith at Kula Lumper Airport, Malyasia in February 2013. I had to pay slightly inflated airport prices for it but its also available in Borders in Malaysia for MYR 30.00 (2013). Unfortunately, the book does not appear to be available in the UK.


Read my full review at:
http://cambodiabookclub.com/king-of-t...

[Linda Lingard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in a few hours on a plane. It's an easy and enjoyable read. Dina's characters are all types: the transvestite, the serious teacher, the sexy new woman in the village... The situations they find themselves reflect village life - the simple beliefs in religion and superstitions; never mind the incongruity. I am not too sure what to make of the magic realism aspects thrown in - like the woman who flew and the child who became a chicken. But perhaps at one time or another, we have heard of such stories, told convincingly because the tellers believed in them. But throughout it all, one can sense Dina's gentle handling and love of the characters. She may mock but not unkindly. And she was non-judgmental.

[Sahaniza · Rating 4 out of 5]

And She Became an Angel is my favourite. The stories are funny although tragic and surreal with incomplete endings but Ms Dina's portrayal of the characters is simple and straight forward that reminds me of so many hidden mysteries and unknown nature of human lives, even the ones closest to us that only God and only God knows. The story And She Became an Angel is sad and it simply tells the love of a husband to his wife but there are more to it like human's willpower, faith, dreams, fate... Mandak is a strong woman but is it a question of what she lacks? Who are we to judge? Will she become an angel after her tragic death. I hope she will.

[Faz · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was surprised that I didn't like it as much as I had thought I would. There was just a feeling like someone walking on my grave that I couldn't shake while reading the stories. I recognize the dialect, having been born & bred in Kuala Terengganu myself.

In general, I found the stories started off whimsical, which I normally enjoy. As I continued reading though, the playfulness somehow disappeared into something more sinister. And that gave me the overall creepy feeling that I couldn't shake off.

I'll certainly read other works by the same writer, that's for sure.

[Natasha Salleh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good writing but some of the stories had really weird context.

[Atiqah Ghazali AlKashif · Rating 3 out of 5]

King of the Sea by Dina Zaman
Published by Clarity Publishing
Goodread's Rating: 3.37/5
My Rating: 3.75/5

"It's about time, isn't it, Razif?"
"You haven't forgotten. After all these years."
She tore open the small plastic packet of candles which was sellotaped to the side of the box. She put them on the cake... As she lit the candles, Razif asked her softly, "Why now?" She knew he was going to ask this. "Why not before, when the kids hadn't come yet, and we could have done something, Ni?"
She swallowed loudly. "Because I thought I'd live forever."
"What do you mean?" Rohani looked at the cloudless sky. It was going to be very hot when the day arrived. This was not going to be easy; telling her husband had taken her breath away, and now him. Oh boy."

King of The Sea is an intriguing collection of short stories that immerses readers in the spiritual and mystical dimensions of Malaysian life. Each narrative draws upon the rich tapestry of local folklore, religious beliefs, and cultural practices, offering a vivid portrayal of a world where the supernatural and the ordinary coexist in delicate balance.

The collection excels in its atmospheric storytelling, vividly capturing the essence of Malaysia’s diverse cultural landscape. The author’s prose is both evocative and immersive, transporting readers to coastal villages, bustling cities, and other locales, all imbued with a sense of the mystical. The characters, too, are finely drawn, each embodying the complexities of their environment and beliefs.

Yet, this strength is occasionally tempered by the abrupt conclusions that characterize many of the stories. Just as the narratives begin to build tension and intrigue, they often end without warning, leaving crucial plot elements unresolved. This tendency towards sudden endings can disrupt the narrative flow and may leave readers with a sense of incompletion, as though the stories remain suspended in mid-air.

Nevertheless, this book offers a distinctive exploration of themes such as faith, identity, and the unseen forces that shape human lives. The collection will likely appeal to those who appreciate the nuance of open-ended storytelling and the subtle interplay of cultural and spiritual themes. However, for readers who favor more traditional story arcs with clear resolutions, the lack of closure in many of these tales may present a challenge.

"Bougainvillea, hibiscus and different orchids dressed the roofs and windows of the house, and a parrot perched on the pole next to the green door. Curtains wafted in the breeze and a yellow bicycle leaned against the wall outside the house. The cement steps had been repainted blue, and a pair of bright red high-heeled shoes, the tallest any of them had seen, sprawled languidly on the steps.
There was a smell from the house, too. The women blinked as they tried to recognize the odour.
"Aaaaaaaashooooo! Aaaaa ... sinus ... chooooooo!Smells like a brothel." The women looked at Mak Ajie. "And, how would you know what a brothel smells like?"
"No decent woman would have a home smelling this good."

#MalaysiaMembaca

[xueh wei · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5🌟

i have only been to terengganu twice (because reading on the beach at pulau perhentian doesn't count) so i can't disagree with someone who said the characters in this book were unbelievable, because for me, i enjoyed it for whatever it had to offer.

what i liked about this collection of short stories:
1. how it subtly tackles gender fluidity in a muslim majority kampung (english: village), especially in the 'masbabu' story, when the village women preferred the feminine cross-dresser to the newly arrived and 'seductive' woman, and in the cross-dresser's words: "i may be a pondan, but at least i respect your men." — i thought that this was an interesting stroke of reality on the grey area of denouncing a woman expressive in their sexuality, vs. being accepting of a gender fluid man (spoiler alert: but not so accepting later on, "...couldn't be one of them. he was an object of ridicule, a transvestite; he could never be a woman like them.").

2. how the author simply colours the stories with dialogues in local dialects, with no translations, and sometimes minimal context too. i generally understood it since i know malay, but i wonder how non-malay speaking audiences would navigate this.

other thoughts:
1. the length— they were all quite short if you think about the potential they had, but somehow, i thought it was okay. i think length sometimes are there to provide answers, and in this case, i didn't need them. reading raymond carver prepares you for that.

2. the magical realism— i have mixed feelings with this genre, but set in this short collection, i actually found them interesting, and quite unexpected.

overall, i'd recommend it!

[Huda Engku · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sebetulnya, saya belum pernah membaca buku Dina Zaman sebelum ini walaupun saya pernah mendengar tentang buku beliau 'I Am Muslim'.

Buku ini merupakan kompilasi sembilan cerpen oleh Dina Zaman. Kebanyakannya berkisar tentang orang kampung dan saya kira penulis mungkin terbayangkan kampung beliau dan penduduknya ketika menulis cerpen-cerpen tersebut. Ada kisah-kisah yang pelik di dalam buku ini tetapi itulah kehidupan, penuh warna-warni. Contohnya kisah isteri Ipeng, Mandak yang ingin menjadi malaikat yang boleh terbang. Kali pertama membacanya, saya terfikir, wujudkah orang seperti Mandak? Namun, jika difikirkan balik, di luar sana mungkin wujud orang yang mindanya sedikit bercelaru begitu. Otak masih menjadi misteri buat para saintis bukan? Hanya Tuhan yang tahu apa terkandung dalam minda kita.

Cerpen yang saya rasa sangat 'comel' bertajuk 'Nah the Masseur' dan 'Alia' adalah sangat pelik, entah macam mana ibubapa Ali percaya yang anak perempuan mereka sudah bertukar menjadi seekor ayam?

Jika anda mencari bahan bacaan yang santai, bacalah buku ini. Jika anda mencari bahan bacaan yang terkandung pengajaran, baca juga buku ini tapi bacalah yang tersirat, dan tafsirkanlah dengan minda yang terbuka.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set mostly in a Malay Kampung, filled with peculiar tales and the most scandalous gossips and events, this book is surely captivating and each page filled me with anticipation.

This book also highlights the beliefs of orang Melayu like witchcraft, bunian, ghosts, etc. It also highlights the stigma towards pondan as well as people who live in a more modern society.

True that one should go into a book without any expectation and just let your mind to be blown away, that's what this book does to me. Despite the disturbing scenes sampai I be like, jap, mampu tak aku nak habiskan buku ni tengah malam, because I was at the bunian part and it was a bit eerie.

Great writing style and the author manages to tell these stories almost flawlessly. 5 out of 5 ⭐! Highly recommended!

TW: sensual scenes, adultery, mental health and vulgar words.

[Syaa R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

would you look at this stunning cover captured by Sultan of Terengganu—Almarhum Sultan Sir Ismail Nasiruddin Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Zainal Abidin III 🖤

alright alright, this collection of short stories stole my heart the moment i finished reading the first one. it’s witty, infused with some magical and mystical elements hence portrays how complex human beings are. i noticed it touches on people’s belief, faith and whether or not they projected those to others. this is because the settings for all shorts are almost the same; mostly in kampung/rural areas so obviously there would be conservatives and how they lead and go about their days. therefore, most characters are appealing and unique.

i would say it’s fast-paced and there were times i stopped myself from continuing because i simply wanted to treasure the shorts longer 🥲 my thoughts here would never do any justice to the book but i love her writing and concept.

my personal fav would be The Rainstorm; it’s eerie and ambiguous, so fitting to my liking. but The Translator would be the memorable one by far!

[Chan Oga · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most beautiful and perspective holding book I have read of a culture in Malaysia, particularly of Muslim countrymen and women in the East Coast! Nostalgic, relatable, intriguing, stimulating.

Only thing about this book is I wished were different is its coherence with the submissiveness of women and authority of men in the stories. It’s uncomfortable but true. Not necessarily inspiring but it reflects reality.

[Ismim Putera · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. This is a beautiful collection of short stories. I enjoyed "Masbabu", "And She Became An Angel", "King of the Sea" & "The Translator". This collection offers wide range of new characters with bits of unexpected storylines. The stories are pretty straight forward, humorous yet erotic, while some are speculative and surreal in nature. Regretfully, still, the flaws are too much telling rather than showing, and lack of emphasis on the characters.

[Fathnin Alyea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the weirdest set of short stories I've ever read. It gets weirder by each story. It leaves me with more and more questions until the end. What a weird kampong😂 It's full of weirdos.

It's not the usual genre that I would go for but surprisingly I enjoyed it! It was fun! Leave me baffled most of the time but it was easy to read and I feel like the need to have an 'academical' discussion about it (hence minus one star).

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting collection of short stories of lives of those I'll never be able to live. I found it like a peak in a small interesting window of the lives of rural Muslim Malaysians.

After reading it, I found myself wanting more in the stories. Sweet but a little too short. Nonetheless, quite enjoyable.

[Nura Nams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kompilasi cerita-cerita setempat yang menarik. dia cam ni, bila baca buku ni teringat masa kecik-kecik kita duduk kampung, masa sekolah rendah dulu, kawan atau orang tua ceritakan cerita yang mereka nampak sekeliling kita. Writer giving stories from the local community. Kinda giving me vibe 'mengimbau kenangan lalu' sebab kecik-kecik dulu selalu dengar cerita komuniti yang pelik2 😂

[Arthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the stories, always took a sudden interesting turn, like a storm! Lyrical prose and nostalgic, bittersweet, and a nice touch of humorous, matter-of-fact realistic tone. Enjoyed reading very much. Thank you!

[Aishah French · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5: Unapologetically Malaysian

“Screaming, laughing, they tore themselves from the strong octopus clutches of the South China Sea, before surrendering themselves to the current, swallowing seawater. Pushing, kicking away their friends in the water”

[Aizat Affendi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful anthology of imaginative short stories set in Terengganu, deeply rooted in the local culture and beliefs. The writing feels intimate without being indulgent, and there’s a strong sense of place and memory throughout.

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

i shocked myself by how fast I finished this book - finished it the same day that I bought it

Loved 2 stories in particular - the last indian man in terengganu and birthday cake. Have always loved books that are love letters to hometowns and this is a perfect example of one

[Wan Katzlan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome writer...

[Rahdika K · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘A man had molested Alia (that was when a rooster had crowed in the jungle) and to absolve her ruin, Alia had turned into a chicken. So, the egg was their grandchild.’

This would be my first book from the author. This book is a collection of short stories, exploring themes of love, grief and some element of superstitions.

The stories vary in tone, with some being serious and others quite humorous. Two of my personal favorites are ‘And She Became An Angel’ and ‘The Last Indian Man Left Standing in Kuala Terengganu,’ which stood out for their unique storytelling and emotional depth.

Some of the stories reflects the daily occurrences of people’s livelihood in the Terengganu state. I really liked that the author had blended magic into everyday elements.

Overall, I would totally recommend this book for anyone looking to read a book on magical realism, culture and history. For Malaysians, particularly those from Terengganu, it’s a nostalgic journey that evokes memories of the past while celebrating the spirit of the region.

[Dayang Noor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trengganuspeak really makes the stories sexy.
OK, I'm a sucker for compilation of short stories. For someone who can't really commit the time to read, I find short stories really convenient. I can just finish reading 1 story in less than 10 minutes, Put the book down. Cook dinner, Have dinner with the family, Do the dishes, Prepare my kids' bags for the next day, Watch TV, Read another story, and then Go to bed. So, that drill was repeated for about 2 weeks and I managed to finish the entire book.
In between cooking and doing the dishes, sometimes I managed to read a few pages from another novel. I know that sounds funny but I'm damn good at multitasking. That's just me. ;)
So, back to the book. The stories are really entertaining. I just love stories that take place in kampung as I also came from a traditional Malay kampung in Pahang. Some of the characters remind me of some of the neighbours I used to have (although none of them dreamed to fly with artificial wings or turned into a chicken).
Some of the stories are interrelated. So, I did flip back and forward at times. A few characters make appearance in more than one story, so I assume they're the same people.
To me Rainstorm is rather creepy. I can't tell, at the end of the story whether the mother is human or robot or hantu raya or perhaps the girl was only hallucinating/dreaming.

[Lizzy Matthew · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finished the book in an hour! And that's telling.

It made me feel that the RM 30 I spent on the book was a waste.

The stories have a lot of potential for development, because in the current form, they seem to be too simplistic and one-dimensional, like an author trying her hand out at writing for the first time.

I agree with some of the other reviews that many stories tend to promise psychedelic escapes, but end rather disappointingly. Had the stories been longer, the inclusion of more details, the building of a more complex plot, could both have provided certain much-needed aesthetic qualities to the work.

[Lann · Rating 2 out of 5]

A collection of short stories about rural Malay in author's hometown.
Sadly, only one story - King of The Sea, managed to touch my emotion. Other are just plain and some of them had no clear message/motives. And I don't get why the back cover tells a description of her other book instead of this one. It was so misleading.

[Kluxorious Kluxces · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't relate to any of the characters or stories. Tales from Pantai Timur that the villagers tell from one generation to the next. Unfortunatelly I feel disconnected with every stories. I kind of feel like everything seemed forced, as if Dina was trying too hard to impress.

[Rumaizah Bakar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colourful characters jump off the pages! Enjoyable read:)