Paracosm

by Ａｒｉｎａ

Never hate yourself. Stop saying you're not beautiful, it's like you're sayng that God's creations are hideous. If you are beautiful inside, no doubt your outside will shine. It just takes the right person to see it.

Genres: Poetry

177 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[Warren Lo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paracosm is an honest and pleasantly whimsical book of poetry and personal thoughts presented by a budding young writer. For a first published effort, its teen author Arina shows a lot of promise and originality. The book is also beautifully produced with a lot of attention to detail - it's quite a joy to slowly browse through the pages, pausing to appreciate the carefully written words and phrases, and discovering the visual art in between. I look forward to Arina's future work as she grows and evolves as a writer.

[heyitsbookishme · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paracosm is a heart-felt gem written by 17-year-old Puteri Fateh Arina Merican Megat Suffian Merican, the great-grandniece of Malaysia’s first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj. A “paracosm” is said to be a detailed imaginary world, often associated to one’s childhood and unfolded by a turn of events.

Arina’s passion for writing and poetry grew ever since she was a little girl, and let’s just say that she has never looked back since. The first thing I noticed when I flipped through this cream-coloured hardback book is the colourful illustrations that filled its pages. Most of the drawings were produced by Arina herself, such personal touch and vibrancy deserves every bit of attention.

"Why do you see the surface
But not what is within
Your eyes are unfair judges
They are mirrors filled with sin
Dark colours displease them
Dark colours and strange religions
No cloud is the same shape
No garden has the same flowers
Yet they glow with beauty
They glow with pride
Beneath the skin
Same structures of bone
No matter who tries to destroy you
Know
That you will never fight alone."

Arina writes with a certain level of boldness and persistence which is highly commendable. I can feel her eagerness on every page – the urgency to translate her thoughts into important messages for people of varying walks of life to read. The topics she covers spreads across – she speaks on her relationships with people, dreams, fears and the many challenges she has to face to be heard in a world heavily chained by societal norms.

"Perhaps the crown I wear
Is a little old fashioned.

With withered silver leaves
And wilted gold lilies
There are no diamonds
Or rubies.

While others wear
A crown of garnets
And jewels
Mine is an antique
Of ancient legend
With the stories of my ancestors
Now leaving me
To find my own story.

Because I am the ink
On these pages
And the inspiration
Of my own legend."

All in all, this book breathes originality. There was so much thought put into not just the poetry writing, but in putting the book together as a whole. The poetry, visual art, photographs and even Arina’s old handwritten notes when she was just a 7-year-old! – a book to cherish by generations to come.

"Sometimes the world is saved by only one good heart, not a million strong arms."

I would like to thank my good friend, Daniel Ariff Tung, for providing me a copy of this book to review. As a past scholar of the Tun Suffian Foundation, he felt that there is a great need to get the word out on this beautiful book – in which I absolutely agree. After all, proceeds from the book sales will be channeled towards awarding more deserving students to pursue their undergraduate and postgraduate studies. So the next time you pop into your nearby MPH or Kinokuniya bookstore, be sure to pick up a copy for RM30! Your contribution will make a difference in someone’s life.

"Dearest Tok Mama

“Not all those who wander are lost.” – JRR Tolkien

But I get lost all the time."

Life is full of struggles, but do keep that passion of yours going, Arina. Aspiring to be a human rights lawyer one day, I do believe Paracosm is a huge first step for her to many promising things to come.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

[Tyrah Draman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love the whole idea of the book. From the cover to the quality of the sheets used. The artsy drawings complement the writings so well. Personally, i think each poem kind of represents how she feels and sees the world in her own eyes. I bet some of it are of the real stories derived from the people around her.

[Naadhira Zahari · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find this book to be a very interesting collection of poetry, ranging from how the author views the world to her own experiences in life. I have to say that it is refreshing to read a poetry book like this one that don't only focus on love, heartbreak and the pain it brings.

The illustrations inside the book is so whimsical and fun to look at. They fit with the content on each page.

I wouldn't highly recommend for you to read this book. I kind of skimmed through the book, eager to end it. There were a few pieces that struck me but most of them doesn't really faze me. They were just okay.

[SyaMimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's like I have mentioned everywhere I can that I love the illustrations, the drawings. I love how pure and original the poetries inside, bringing me back to my school years, childhood years. The pain, the hurt the struggles. I love the cover, the hardback the papers. I love everything about the book. Keep it going Arina!

4.6/5.0

[waceed · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first poetry book that I’ve read in my life.The author who is a 17 years old girl was so brilliant,why? Because she can imagine how she wanted to be in future.She also make me realized about this world only by her words in her poem.Subhanallah! May Allah make her life path easily to achieve her dreams!

Love,
💕

[dania allysha · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 shining, dazzling stars
so simple yet so beautiful. very impactful and relatable. the artwork tied it all together. a stunning, stunning book, not only by how it looks, but also how its written.
<3

[Aimie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"All children's hearts are soft", says Arina at page 155, "they understand better."
I have a child and know what Arina says is nothing but the truth.

[Arina · Rating 4 out of 5]

We have the same name, Arina. You love dreaming and making people laugh. Same goes to me 😂😂 I hope you become a successful writer💪📝 Good luck, from me Arina.

[Shahirah Azam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt her sincerity through her words. I'm glad she is where she is right now. A fighter, an artist and the strongest lady I know.

[Abbas Zubir · Rating 3 out of 5]

**Warning: this text may contain spoilers** Very well written. Entertaining and whimsical. The piece "sleep well my brother" moved me. Although, at times, it feel as if a huge chunk of the poems to be a bit morose.

[Tunku Sofiah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am moved by Arina's Preface. Her message to us adults is exemplified at page xxi para 2 where she seems to grieve over our failure to understand the pain of her age-group:

"Every dream is possible, you were the one to dream it in the first place. It is hard to express ourselves, especially with some of the adults and elderly who keep saying that it is the youngsters like me who are spoilt and have no consideration or knowledge of the world at all. They still hold on to universal traditions, yet, we must not argue with them. Yes, though some of their words convey very little meaning and understanding to the world today, they are still people on the face of the earth, and as I say, must be treated with respect."

Wonder how other adults react to such a piercing comment by a seventeen year old teenager about us?