Scenes of the Father

by Amir Hafizi, Ong Chee Yang (Illustrator)

We often remember our loved ones through rose-tinted glasses. The soft pink tint of the memories would sometimes reveal ludicrous details and anecdotes of humour and heartbreak, perhaps some hints at longing and love.

In this story, a man who was the pillar of his community is remembered for his stories and the stories he tells. These are facets that hope to form a semi-coherent collage of what makes a person.

Artist Chee takes on Amir Hafizi's text and presents these facets of a man, a teacher, a farmer and a storyteller as they have never been seen before.

Genres: Graphic Novels

100 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2016

Reviews

[Najibah Bakar · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love nostalgic books, especially on fathers. Maybe because I lost my own father at the age of 16, when I was head over heels in love with him.

So, I read this comic book voraciously and I love the story about the opening of the new village very much - until I reached the page where the author joked inappropriately about Anwar Ibrahim (on pretext it was his father's joke?). I am at the other side of the fence, so I found it harsh and felt a bit bitter. Still, I try to reason with myself; this is how people over the fence felt too, when they found inappropriate jokes on their leaders (which I think happened more often). That's how I found strength to read on, but with less enthusiasm of course.

Nevertheless, I like the fact that the father loved books and reading. My father loved books and reading, too.

[Anis Suhaila · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know the book is a keeper when you feel a tinge of sadness & nostalgia as you laugh over absurd random stories in it.

[Sooraya Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK aje. Not exactly a graphic novel. More like illustrated book.

[Lanzz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sebuah memoir berilustrasi yang ditulis oleh bos Maple Comics, Amir Hafizi. Menceritakan tentang kisah ayahnya membuka kampung baru di Kuantan yang dinamakan Kampung Bukit Kuin Satu, dan tentang kisah kehidupannya di kampung itu. Kisah yang ditulis ini ada nilai-nilai nostalgia bagi sesiapa yang lahir di kampung pada 80/90-an, manakala lukisannya pula dilukis dengan style lakaran yang cantik...

[Tamara✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a sweet little comic memoir about Amir Hafizi reflecting on his father. Could be summed up as "daddy issues" and that wouldn't really be wrong either. Although it's not as DRAMA filled as you might think if someone said 'daddy issues', in my opinion. I dunno, I didn't feel much while reading it. Not that it's bad...!

https://hercommonplaceblog.wordpress....

[Poll Poll Aryel · Rating 3 out of 5]

It feels like reading an illustrated essay biography, which is not a bad thing. The simple tone and equally minimal illustrations kept the reading to the point. This also helped to keep the nostalgic feeling going through the book. It makes for a pleasant reading.

[Ema · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only 94 pages but the story of his father is well-written. I think this is based on the true story of amir himself kan?

[mantareads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quietly, sincerely poignant

[Izzarith Sufiya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reminds me of my father so much.

[GooglyEye Superman · Rating 2 out of 5]

The best book about queer quails I've ever read

[Eman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but sweet. Love the nostalgic feeling of the story. It is also a bit melancholic.

[heyitsbookishme · Rating 3 out of 5]

After half of a year of studying to prepare for exams, one can easily fall into the deep, dark pit of what we call the reading slump! I was also not spared from this evil curse as I welcomed July, free from exams but unable to finish any of the books I wanted to read. Every reader’s nightmare! One day as I was working on something, my friend came up to me and introduced me to this book – a short story with illustrations – hmm, it did seem like just what I needed to get over my slump.

"That’s what my old man told me when I was six or seven

…when I was eating more monosodium glutamate than any human ever should, most of it from the Maggi noodles I ate almost every day."

The illustrations in the book caught my eye as I flipped through its pages. Anecdote and drawings to tell the tale of the author's father who lived, fought and did whatever he could to contribute to his little community. A simple and honest account, I enjoyed the nostalgic and melancholic feel to it.

"He did all of that. The old man. He worked like a horse. He said that if he stopped working even for a day, he would suffer pains all over his body. So he worked. And worked."

I finished the book quickly enough. The Malaysian references were fun to read. The political ones hmm -- not so much as I found one a little disturbing, but raw, which I appreciate. I did learn a thing or two, which was nice. Thanks to the illustrations, the flow of the story was given more depth. Reading slump, no more!

[Ahmad Nizamuddin · Rating 3 out of 5]

simple story, good stroke/illustration

[thewayfarer11 · Rating 4 out of 5]

really invokes the nostalgic feeling in you. :)