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KL NOIR #5
KL Noir: Magic
KL NOIR: MAGIC marks the resurrection of the notorious KL Noir series. The editor Deric Ee selects 20 original stories that bring you through the crimes and tribulations of life in Kuala Lumpur. There will be a bar hostess with a secret, a crisis in a minibus, well-dressed pontianaks, junkies discovering a new high, vampire slayers, and even an honest taxi driver. This time round, redemption may no longer be such an elusive thing….
288 pages, Paperback
Published March 12, 2021
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March 22, 2021
KL Noir: Magic is, hands down, the best Malaysian English anthology I’ve read so far. Despite its name, there are only a few stories that involve literal magic, but the reading experience is undoubtedly magical. Remember how much I complain about how Malaysian storytellers like their shock value and/or trick endings? NOT A SINGLE STORY in this book has that. While some of the stories have endings that are open to interpretation, each story is a satisfying read.
The editor, Deric Ee, has carefully curated a book that is unlike its predecessors. There are no stories about corrupt politicians or evil in the guise of holy men that were prominently featured in previous KL Noir series. Noir doesn’t come in the form of seedy people doing seedy business in seedy parts of Kuala Lumpur; rather, it is the state of powerlessness in hopeless situations that range from mundane to the fantastic. Despite the darkness of the situation, the stories have some glimmer of hope. Some are just harder to find.
Kuala Lumpur, in this book, is no longer a character, but a background. This book is not about the metropolis, but the individual characters that inhabit it. And the characters feel alive. Like I mentioned before, there are no stories here told for shock value. In fact, they are palpably more subdued, more…mature. A lot of the stories are quieter, less bang but more oomph. It’s like Malaysian English writers have leveled up, and this excites me. This excites me very much.
On to my individual review:
The Radio, by Lily Jamaludin
This simple, sweet story is about a young man who converses with his dead father via an old radio, a gift from his father. The message that the narrator, and the author, wants to get across is implicit, only implied, but never in a condescending manner. You can feel the narrator’s need to belong, to love, but the concept is beyond his reach. The ending is open, but you can tell that it is a beginning. A perfect story to kick off the anthology. (4/5)
A Night at Tulips, by Collin Yeoh
If you want to read a second-person narrated story, look no further. This is a second-person perspective done well, and done right. While the story becomes predictable at the 2/3 junction, the ending twists in a highly satisfying manner. Seriously, people can learn a lot about this particular form of storytelling from reading this story, because not many people can pull off second-person narration. (5/5)
Art, by Bissme S
There is something disturbing about the lack of emotions in this story. A highly traumatic event becomes something clinical, something artistic, and it follows the narrator to adulthood. The languid manner in which this story is told, or bersahaja, in my language, is sharply juxtaposed with the horror of the situation. You don’t really feel it when you read the story, but it haunts you several stories down the line, an aftertaste that you can’t quite shake off. (4/5)
City-Dwellers, by Muthusamy Pon Ramiah
This one is more of a slice of life rather than a complete story. There’s no proper conflict, climax, resolution and ending. But it does showcase the hopelessness of being poor in the city without resorting to contempt for the rich. It’s about a man who works hard and does his best to feed his large family, and above all else, tries to hang on to his integrity even when it’s the hardest thing to do. Like the previous story, this one doesn’t hit you when you read it, but Panjang Maniam lingers in your head. (4/5)
Tooth and Consequences, by Terence Toh
This is the only satirical piece in the anthology. It’s weird and over-the-top, and the cheeky puns are the author’s signature for those who know him. It’s a tongue-and-cheek story about an unlicensed dentist who learns her craft from YouTube (Malaysians sure remember this issue when it was all over the news), and gets hunted down by Malaysian Association of Dental Enforcers (MADE). It’s a fun read, a little break from the seriousness. (4/5)
Masquerade, by P Maheswary
This is another slice of life, where the entire story is the conflict. Reading this, I can’t help but be angry at how Wei Keong treats his aunt Fern, and how she keeps making excuses for his behavior. You know, it’s the kind of public domestic abuse that we see, perk our ears to listen in, and do nothing to stop. This story annoys me, because I hate Wei Keong. Also, you can just feel Fern’s hopelessness dip even deeper at the end of the story.
I hate Wei Keong. #saveFern (5/5. I still hate Wei Keong)
Jaga Diri, Jaga Hati, by Hong Jinghann
This is one of the few stories in this book that feature Kuala Lumpur as a character. That said, I feel like this story is a miss. The narrator, a restaurant owner, keeps referring his establishment as his mamak. And he keeps saying how this young lady that frequents his restaurant never ages, even though the story is told over the course of two years. There’s a reason why she doesn’t age, but…come on. Over two years? I feel like the setting has more character than the people here. Decent storytelling, but…it’s just not for me, I suppose. (2/5)
Pontianak, Risen, by Nadia Mikail
You may need to have a notebook ready to keep track of all the named characters in this one. It’s dizzying. And the story’s not even about a pontianak. Not that much, at any rate. I kinda know what the story is about, but I got lost in all the names, and I don’t feel like reading it again. (2/5)
Job(street), by Nat Kang
We’re back in business! I love reading this one. I love how it takes its time to be told without getting rushed. I think it’s about a bouncer living with HIV, because the condition is implied, and not expressed. The narrator returns to KL to look for the only job he’s good at, and you can actually feel his hopelessness, and his only drive is survival, not living. I like this one. (4/5)
Shucked, by Masami Mustaza
This one is almost satirical, but not quite. It’s about a group of women seeking revenge toward a conman, but since the police won’t do anything, they resort to a more mystical means. The story gets really dark really fast. (3/5)
Alexa, by Lee Chow Ping
I don’t think the choice of name is random. This story has traces of the kind of Malaysian storytelling that irks me (starts light and slow, and then careens darkly, with an open, ominous ending). The story’s predictable, so there’s no shock value, but the storytelling shows promise. (2.5/5)
Kisah Surya Buana: The Mystery of Seni Man, by Nazreen Abraham Stein
This story is Noir in every sense. From a disillusioned journalist to a damsel in distress, and a detective (and his driver—not his driver), to the dark sides of the city, and the supernatural, this story is CAMPY. It’s pulp fiction. It does get weird, with a 90-year-old bomoh who goes digital and a cat abducted by a flying saucer, it’s that kind of story that you just sit back, enjoy, and not try to make any sense of. Any sense whatsoever. Out the window. Campiness is fun, when done right. (4/5)
We Are Young, by Joshua Lim
Dude, this story is AWESOME. It captures the narrator’s sense of high to perfection. It makes me wonder if the author wrote this when he himself was high. Something to ponder. There’s no real conflict or structure in the traditional sense, but you ride the high along with the narrator. This is such a satisfying read. (5/5)
A Quiet Night, by Shaleen Surendra
This story reminds me of Gone, Girl and The Girl on the Train, sorta. Vaguely. It’s predictable, and could have been expanded more. It does capture the narrator’s state of mind quite well , though. (3.5/5)
Growing Up, by Sharmilla Ganesan
One word: disturbing. Remember when I said about stories that have evil dressed as holy men? Well this one doesn’t even need a mask. It’s a creepy uncle who grooms and subtly molests his niece in various stages of her life, and she’s somehow powerless to do anything about it. But like a true filial daughter/niece, the narrator maintains her respect for her elder throughout the story, and that’s what makes the story disturbing as hell. We read a lot of stories where in the end, the narrator kills her oppressor, or at the very least, cut off his balls, but this story reflects reality and that makes it even darker. She does make her stand, but in a quiet, realistic manner, making the story feel real and close to home. (5/5)
Driving Miss Devi, by Rizal Ramli
This is an Urban Fantasy featuring an aging taxi driver and a young, grieving mother. You don’t get this combination often, now do you? It’s campy. Hella campy. And I want more. I want to read Pak Kassim’s adventures while he seeks reconciliation with his children. And I want to read Devi’s adventures before she lost her family. I want to read more from this author. (4/5)
Haunted, by Lim Vin Tsen
This is a quiet little piece, one that gives brothel workers dignity, even after death. I love the storytelling, and despite being the shortest story in the anthology, the length is exactly how it is supposed to be. It’s like a much needed pause to breathe, where you don’t realize you’ve been holding your breath. (4/5)
War Dogs, by Derek Kho
This is the only piece in the anthology that addressed Covid-19. Well, one for the books, proof that the volume was published during the pandemic. I feel that this story is post-pandemic, some years down the line, where a cult has been formed in its wake. This is the closest you can find about corrupted Big Brother in this anthology. Another true Noir. I like the storytelling in this one, too. (4/5)
Dance of Kali – a Stormcaller Story, by Fadzlishah Johanabas
I’m not going to review my own work (it’s good). An Urban Fantasy that has angels and Hindu gods. Tell me what you think about it, and I may hand you a novel sometime in the future. MAYBE.
Dastar, by Sukhbir Cheema
I’ll be honest. I haven’t come across that many stories about Sikhs and how they question their faith. Yeah, yeah, I need to read wider. But because of that, this story enthralled me. I can feel the narrator’s rebellion, and his eventual return to his Faith even though he believes it’s too late. I experience him grasping at the faintest glimmer of hope. The way the story is told, the situation that every person who has a sister, a daughter, a niece is afraid of, the situation where every woman fears and lives through, is so vivid that I squirmed when I read the piece. And amazing, amazing story to conclude this volume. (5/5)
I wasn’t exaggerating when I said KL Noir: Magic is the best Malaysian English anthology I’ve read. The stories are well-written, and the selection is wonderfully curated by the editor, and to have over 200 submissions to choose from, it gives me hope. Hope that the Malaysian English writing scene will bloom and expand, and hope that the authors in this volume will come up with more pieces, be them short stories or novels.
I think Deric Ee has captured the essence of his intention for this volume. Despite the blackness of the stories and situations, one can’t help but grasp at hope.
A solid 5 stars from me.
The editor, Deric Ee, has carefully curated a book that is unlike its predecessors. There are no stories about corrupt politicians or evil in the guise of holy men that were prominently featured in previous KL Noir series. Noir doesn’t come in the form of seedy people doing seedy business in seedy parts of Kuala Lumpur; rather, it is the state of powerlessness in hopeless situations that range from mundane to the fantastic. Despite the darkness of the situation, the stories have some glimmer of hope. Some are just harder to find.
Kuala Lumpur, in this book, is no longer a character, but a background. This book is not about the metropolis, but the individual characters that inhabit it. And the characters feel alive. Like I mentioned before, there are no stories here told for shock value. In fact, they are palpably more subdued, more…mature. A lot of the stories are quieter, less bang but more oomph. It’s like Malaysian English writers have leveled up, and this excites me. This excites me very much.
On to my individual review:
The Radio, by Lily Jamaludin
This simple, sweet story is about a young man who converses with his dead father via an old radio, a gift from his father. The message that the narrator, and the author, wants to get across is implicit, only implied, but never in a condescending manner. You can feel the narrator’s need to belong, to love, but the concept is beyond his reach. The ending is open, but you can tell that it is a beginning. A perfect story to kick off the anthology. (4/5)
A Night at Tulips, by Collin Yeoh
If you want to read a second-person narrated story, look no further. This is a second-person perspective done well, and done right. While the story becomes predictable at the 2/3 junction, the ending twists in a highly satisfying manner. Seriously, people can learn a lot about this particular form of storytelling from reading this story, because not many people can pull off second-person narration. (5/5)
Art, by Bissme S
There is something disturbing about the lack of emotions in this story. A highly traumatic event becomes something clinical, something artistic, and it follows the narrator to adulthood. The languid manner in which this story is told, or bersahaja, in my language, is sharply juxtaposed with the horror of the situation. You don’t really feel it when you read the story, but it haunts you several stories down the line, an aftertaste that you can’t quite shake off. (4/5)
City-Dwellers, by Muthusamy Pon Ramiah
This one is more of a slice of life rather than a complete story. There’s no proper conflict, climax, resolution and ending. But it does showcase the hopelessness of being poor in the city without resorting to contempt for the rich. It’s about a man who works hard and does his best to feed his large family, and above all else, tries to hang on to his integrity even when it’s the hardest thing to do. Like the previous story, this one doesn’t hit you when you read it, but Panjang Maniam lingers in your head. (4/5)
Tooth and Consequences, by Terence Toh
This is the only satirical piece in the anthology. It’s weird and over-the-top, and the cheeky puns are the author’s signature for those who know him. It’s a tongue-and-cheek story about an unlicensed dentist who learns her craft from YouTube (Malaysians sure remember this issue when it was all over the news), and gets hunted down by Malaysian Association of Dental Enforcers (MADE). It’s a fun read, a little break from the seriousness. (4/5)
Masquerade, by P Maheswary
This is another slice of life, where the entire story is the conflict. Reading this, I can’t help but be angry at how Wei Keong treats his aunt Fern, and how she keeps making excuses for his behavior. You know, it’s the kind of public domestic abuse that we see, perk our ears to listen in, and do nothing to stop. This story annoys me, because I hate Wei Keong. Also, you can just feel Fern’s hopelessness dip even deeper at the end of the story.
I hate Wei Keong. #saveFern (5/5. I still hate Wei Keong)
Jaga Diri, Jaga Hati, by Hong Jinghann
This is one of the few stories in this book that feature Kuala Lumpur as a character. That said, I feel like this story is a miss. The narrator, a restaurant owner, keeps referring his establishment as his mamak. And he keeps saying how this young lady that frequents his restaurant never ages, even though the story is told over the course of two years. There’s a reason why she doesn’t age, but…come on. Over two years? I feel like the setting has more character than the people here. Decent storytelling, but…it’s just not for me, I suppose. (2/5)
Pontianak, Risen, by Nadia Mikail
You may need to have a notebook ready to keep track of all the named characters in this one. It’s dizzying. And the story’s not even about a pontianak. Not that much, at any rate. I kinda know what the story is about, but I got lost in all the names, and I don’t feel like reading it again. (2/5)
Job(street), by Nat Kang
We’re back in business! I love reading this one. I love how it takes its time to be told without getting rushed. I think it’s about a bouncer living with HIV, because the condition is implied, and not expressed. The narrator returns to KL to look for the only job he’s good at, and you can actually feel his hopelessness, and his only drive is survival, not living. I like this one. (4/5)
Shucked, by Masami Mustaza
This one is almost satirical, but not quite. It’s about a group of women seeking revenge toward a conman, but since the police won’t do anything, they resort to a more mystical means. The story gets really dark really fast. (3/5)
Alexa, by Lee Chow Ping
I don’t think the choice of name is random. This story has traces of the kind of Malaysian storytelling that irks me (starts light and slow, and then careens darkly, with an open, ominous ending). The story’s predictable, so there’s no shock value, but the storytelling shows promise. (2.5/5)
Kisah Surya Buana: The Mystery of Seni Man, by Nazreen Abraham Stein
This story is Noir in every sense. From a disillusioned journalist to a damsel in distress, and a detective (and his driver—not his driver), to the dark sides of the city, and the supernatural, this story is CAMPY. It’s pulp fiction. It does get weird, with a 90-year-old bomoh who goes digital and a cat abducted by a flying saucer, it’s that kind of story that you just sit back, enjoy, and not try to make any sense of. Any sense whatsoever. Out the window. Campiness is fun, when done right. (4/5)
We Are Young, by Joshua Lim
Dude, this story is AWESOME. It captures the narrator’s sense of high to perfection. It makes me wonder if the author wrote this when he himself was high. Something to ponder. There’s no real conflict or structure in the traditional sense, but you ride the high along with the narrator. This is such a satisfying read. (5/5)
A Quiet Night, by Shaleen Surendra
This story reminds me of Gone, Girl and The Girl on the Train, sorta. Vaguely. It’s predictable, and could have been expanded more. It does capture the narrator’s state of mind quite well , though. (3.5/5)
Growing Up, by Sharmilla Ganesan
One word: disturbing. Remember when I said about stories that have evil dressed as holy men? Well this one doesn’t even need a mask. It’s a creepy uncle who grooms and subtly molests his niece in various stages of her life, and she’s somehow powerless to do anything about it. But like a true filial daughter/niece, the narrator maintains her respect for her elder throughout the story, and that’s what makes the story disturbing as hell. We read a lot of stories where in the end, the narrator kills her oppressor, or at the very least, cut off his balls, but this story reflects reality and that makes it even darker. She does make her stand, but in a quiet, realistic manner, making the story feel real and close to home. (5/5)
Driving Miss Devi, by Rizal Ramli
This is an Urban Fantasy featuring an aging taxi driver and a young, grieving mother. You don’t get this combination often, now do you? It’s campy. Hella campy. And I want more. I want to read Pak Kassim’s adventures while he seeks reconciliation with his children. And I want to read Devi’s adventures before she lost her family. I want to read more from this author. (4/5)
Haunted, by Lim Vin Tsen
This is a quiet little piece, one that gives brothel workers dignity, even after death. I love the storytelling, and despite being the shortest story in the anthology, the length is exactly how it is supposed to be. It’s like a much needed pause to breathe, where you don’t realize you’ve been holding your breath. (4/5)
War Dogs, by Derek Kho
This is the only piece in the anthology that addressed Covid-19. Well, one for the books, proof that the volume was published during the pandemic. I feel that this story is post-pandemic, some years down the line, where a cult has been formed in its wake. This is the closest you can find about corrupted Big Brother in this anthology. Another true Noir. I like the storytelling in this one, too. (4/5)
Dance of Kali – a Stormcaller Story, by Fadzlishah Johanabas
I’m not going to review my own work (it’s good). An Urban Fantasy that has angels and Hindu gods. Tell me what you think about it, and I may hand you a novel sometime in the future. MAYBE.
Dastar, by Sukhbir Cheema
I’ll be honest. I haven’t come across that many stories about Sikhs and how they question their faith. Yeah, yeah, I need to read wider. But because of that, this story enthralled me. I can feel the narrator’s rebellion, and his eventual return to his Faith even though he believes it’s too late. I experience him grasping at the faintest glimmer of hope. The way the story is told, the situation that every person who has a sister, a daughter, a niece is afraid of, the situation where every woman fears and lives through, is so vivid that I squirmed when I read the piece. And amazing, amazing story to conclude this volume. (5/5)
I wasn’t exaggerating when I said KL Noir: Magic is the best Malaysian English anthology I’ve read. The stories are well-written, and the selection is wonderfully curated by the editor, and to have over 200 submissions to choose from, it gives me hope. Hope that the Malaysian English writing scene will bloom and expand, and hope that the authors in this volume will come up with more pieces, be them short stories or novels.
I think Deric Ee has captured the essence of his intention for this volume. Despite the blackness of the stories and situations, one can’t help but grasp at hope.
A solid 5 stars from me.
April 13, 2021
Another of KL Noir series-- Magic which consists of 20 stories on crimes and tribulations of life in Kuala Lumpur.
"KL, city of contrasts and diversity; a black hole for talent and potential. The city so distracted, so on brand. The city that's still deciding on how to tell its story."
The collection represents on how 'magic' could exist in various forms; language, setting, characters, flaws-- unexpected yet whimsically surprising.
Having few as my favourite:
The Radio (Lily Jamaludin)-- a story of a boy that could speak to his dead father through an old radio. A magical realism and mysteriously wicked. Love everything about this story, great idea indeed.
Art (Bissme S.)-- tells a story on a painting of a suicide victim. So gory and dark, well written and as much as I find the character is too spooky still I think it was well narrated. Love the ending!
Tooth and Consequences (Terence Toh)-- a story of an unlicensed dentist with illegal operating business. Love that it highlighted the views from both the fake dentist and the patient. Quite witty too.
Dastar (Sukhbir Cheema)-- a story of a Sikh man who once tried to cut his hair, on finding back his root and self healing. Deep and profound.
Pontianak, Risen (Nadia Mikael)-- a story of pontianak (or actually not really about pontianak *thinking*) out for revenge making two kampung women needed to travel to KL to deliver a shocking news. Though quite haunting, the storytelling was my favourite. This could be an idea for a novel.
The collection echoes through stages of life with colors and twists-- some are relatable while some are memorable, and few I wish could be a bit longer because I wanna read it more. A fairly enjoyable read to me. 3.7 stars to be exact!
"KL, city of contrasts and diversity; a black hole for talent and potential. The city so distracted, so on brand. The city that's still deciding on how to tell its story."
The collection represents on how 'magic' could exist in various forms; language, setting, characters, flaws-- unexpected yet whimsically surprising.
Having few as my favourite:
The Radio (Lily Jamaludin)-- a story of a boy that could speak to his dead father through an old radio. A magical realism and mysteriously wicked. Love everything about this story, great idea indeed.
Art (Bissme S.)-- tells a story on a painting of a suicide victim. So gory and dark, well written and as much as I find the character is too spooky still I think it was well narrated. Love the ending!
Tooth and Consequences (Terence Toh)-- a story of an unlicensed dentist with illegal operating business. Love that it highlighted the views from both the fake dentist and the patient. Quite witty too.
Dastar (Sukhbir Cheema)-- a story of a Sikh man who once tried to cut his hair, on finding back his root and self healing. Deep and profound.
Pontianak, Risen (Nadia Mikael)-- a story of pontianak (or actually not really about pontianak *thinking*) out for revenge making two kampung women needed to travel to KL to deliver a shocking news. Though quite haunting, the storytelling was my favourite. This could be an idea for a novel.
The collection echoes through stages of life with colors and twists-- some are relatable while some are memorable, and few I wish could be a bit longer because I wanna read it more. A fairly enjoyable read to me. 3.7 stars to be exact!
June 13, 2021
2 stars. This is a very good short stories collection. 1 star for the excellent cover and 1 star is for selecting more emerging writers with inclusive and diverse background.
Thank God, out of twenty, I enjoyed "Art", "The Night at the Tulips" & "Dastar".
The rest of the stories simply have no obvious "magic" in them. They are, with apology, too difficult to read. The plot lacks distinct direction and clarity, characters being too flat and the narration is simply too bland and wordy. I tried to understand the whole situation but the story offered no hooks for me to continue sticking onto it.
Still, for this collection, despite having the setting limited to KL, the story covers a wide array of speculative elements and some surprised me with variety of styles. There are action-packed stories on hunting vampires, a cult member doing something, a fight between two or more superheroes, a haunted radio, a group of woman getting revenge on a man and some slices of life.
Lastly, I hope the authors can professionally write down their biography. This includes any previous published work, awards received and some relevant background information. The reader would want to know more about your work.
I hope Fixi can continue publishing similar anthologies in the future.
Thank God, out of twenty, I enjoyed "Art", "The Night at the Tulips" & "Dastar".
The rest of the stories simply have no obvious "magic" in them. They are, with apology, too difficult to read. The plot lacks distinct direction and clarity, characters being too flat and the narration is simply too bland and wordy. I tried to understand the whole situation but the story offered no hooks for me to continue sticking onto it.
Still, for this collection, despite having the setting limited to KL, the story covers a wide array of speculative elements and some surprised me with variety of styles. There are action-packed stories on hunting vampires, a cult member doing something, a fight between two or more superheroes, a haunted radio, a group of woman getting revenge on a man and some slices of life.
Lastly, I hope the authors can professionally write down their biography. This includes any previous published work, awards received and some relevant background information. The reader would want to know more about your work.
I hope Fixi can continue publishing similar anthologies in the future.
Read
May 11, 2021I'll forgo the star rating on this one, mostly because it felt pretty evident that Noir is still not my thing, so I'd hardly give a fair rating.
There's a level of magical realism to most of the stories (hello, supernatural Malaysia) here that made the anthology more palatable to me as a whole than some of the earlier books in the KL Noir series. On the other hand, there's also a level of obliqueness to quite a few stories that makes for a rather overall 'eh' feeling for me.
As of now, here's a short list of stories I really enjoyed:
Dastar - Sukhbir Cheema - THIS!!! This is the one story I would read over and over again. I would probably recommend you buy this anthology just for this story.
The Radio - Lily Jamaludin - This was a great start to the book, actually. Simple, understated.
Tooth and Consequences - Terence Toh - lol Terence, as usual, starts off dark and grim and then goes in unexpected directions. (Looking forward to TOYOLS 'R' US)
Pontianak, Risen - Nadia Mikail
Jaga Diri, Jaga Hati - Hong Jinghann
We Are Young - Joshua Lim - I don't know if I really "enjoyed" this, but it did stand out.
There's a level of magical realism to most of the stories (hello, supernatural Malaysia) here that made the anthology more palatable to me as a whole than some of the earlier books in the KL Noir series. On the other hand, there's also a level of obliqueness to quite a few stories that makes for a rather overall 'eh' feeling for me.
As of now, here's a short list of stories I really enjoyed:
Dastar - Sukhbir Cheema - THIS!!! This is the one story I would read over and over again. I would probably recommend you buy this anthology just for this story.
The Radio - Lily Jamaludin - This was a great start to the book, actually. Simple, understated.
Tooth and Consequences - Terence Toh - lol Terence, as usual, starts off dark and grim and then goes in unexpected directions. (Looking forward to TOYOLS 'R' US)
Pontianak, Risen - Nadia Mikail
Jaga Diri, Jaga Hati - Hong Jinghann
We Are Young - Joshua Lim - I don't know if I really "enjoyed" this, but it did stand out.
Read
May 18, 2021NOTE: This reviewer is among the writers featured in this anthology. So take this review with a dollop of salt.
'KL Noir: Magic' is special for two reasons:
1. The editor, Deric Ee, carefully selected short stories that have now redefined what 'noir' represents in the Malaysian context.
2. The last KL Noir book, KL NOIR: YELLOW, was published in 2014, almost a decade ago. So its return, in light of recent events, is absolutely timely.
There were many short stories that stood out but the ones that still linger in my mind are as follows:
'The Radio' byLily Jamaludin
Lily's beautifully woven short story sets the stage for what's to come in the anthology. At first glance, it might appear to be out of place since it doesn't necessarily fit the conventional definition of 'noir' per se.
However, it's crucial to note that noir not only deals with crime and murder but tackles moral ambiguity and inner conflicts. For Lily's story, her character deals with an all too familiar "moral problem" that Malaysians are consistently struggling with: Homosexuality and to a certain extent, the supernatural world.
Compared to the other short stories in the anthology, Lily doesn't include gore or violence, but she masterfully showcases pain in a delicately beautiful way.
'Art' by Bissme S
I love this story for three reasons:
1. It hooked me from the first sentence itself.
2. It was written in such a way where even an 11-year-old would be able to appreciate and enjoy the story. And that's a very good thing!
3. It's meta! It's a short story about the art of looking at an artwork.
Bissme's years of experience as a journalist shines here through the brief but extremely matter-of-fact choice of words he uses. Due to this, his story can come across as humorous but also sinister.
'Tooth And Consequences' by Terence Toh
Terence possesses innate wit and the ability to weave puns into his rib-tickling dialogues.
Brace yourself because his short story, as the title suggests, doesn't require filling in. It's the only comic relief in the entire anthology and due to this, deserves a plaque with Terence's name drilled on it.
'Masquerade' by P. Maheswary
This was one of the shortest short stories in the anthology but it was so vividly written that I could feel the fear and resentment of the main character.
I wished Maheswary could have explored and expanded on the relationship between Fern and her uncouth nephew because, towards the end, it left me wanting more. That said, perhaps less can be more.
'Growing Up' by Sharmilla Ganesan
Sharmilla's short story is one of the most important ones in this anthology because it attempts to address an unfortunately all too familiar issue: Sexual harassment.
It's an extremely powerful piece and eloquently written because it reveals just how early and close-to-home sexual harassment takes place, especially among people we trust. The piece showcases the inner conflict of the main character and how they painfully come to terms with reality.
There are honorary mentions too such as 'Alexa' by Lee Chow Ping, 'City-Dwellers' by Muthusamy Pon Ramiah, 'Shucked' by Masami Mustaza, 'A Night At Tulips' by Collin Yeoh, and 'A Quiet Night' by Shaleen Surendra.
Truth be told, 'KL Noir: Magic' is not an anthology that'll blow your mind or make a major impact in the overall literary scene. But in its attempt at defining noir in the Malaysian context, the anthology is proof this country is indeed flourishing with many talented writers who're capable of producing engaging and memorable fictional works.
Thank you Amir Muhammad, Deric, Fixi, all the writers, and readers who played a big part in making 'KL Noir: Magic' happen despite an absolutely challenging period in recent history.
'KL Noir: Magic' is special for two reasons:
1. The editor, Deric Ee, carefully selected short stories that have now redefined what 'noir' represents in the Malaysian context.
2. The last KL Noir book, KL NOIR: YELLOW, was published in 2014, almost a decade ago. So its return, in light of recent events, is absolutely timely.
There were many short stories that stood out but the ones that still linger in my mind are as follows:
'The Radio' byLily Jamaludin
Lily's beautifully woven short story sets the stage for what's to come in the anthology. At first glance, it might appear to be out of place since it doesn't necessarily fit the conventional definition of 'noir' per se.
However, it's crucial to note that noir not only deals with crime and murder but tackles moral ambiguity and inner conflicts. For Lily's story, her character deals with an all too familiar "moral problem" that Malaysians are consistently struggling with: Homosexuality and to a certain extent, the supernatural world.
Compared to the other short stories in the anthology, Lily doesn't include gore or violence, but she masterfully showcases pain in a delicately beautiful way.
'Art' by Bissme S
I love this story for three reasons:
1. It hooked me from the first sentence itself.
2. It was written in such a way where even an 11-year-old would be able to appreciate and enjoy the story. And that's a very good thing!
3. It's meta! It's a short story about the art of looking at an artwork.
Bissme's years of experience as a journalist shines here through the brief but extremely matter-of-fact choice of words he uses. Due to this, his story can come across as humorous but also sinister.
'Tooth And Consequences' by Terence Toh
Terence possesses innate wit and the ability to weave puns into his rib-tickling dialogues.
Brace yourself because his short story, as the title suggests, doesn't require filling in. It's the only comic relief in the entire anthology and due to this, deserves a plaque with Terence's name drilled on it.
'Masquerade' by P. Maheswary
This was one of the shortest short stories in the anthology but it was so vividly written that I could feel the fear and resentment of the main character.
I wished Maheswary could have explored and expanded on the relationship between Fern and her uncouth nephew because, towards the end, it left me wanting more. That said, perhaps less can be more.
'Growing Up' by Sharmilla Ganesan
Sharmilla's short story is one of the most important ones in this anthology because it attempts to address an unfortunately all too familiar issue: Sexual harassment.
It's an extremely powerful piece and eloquently written because it reveals just how early and close-to-home sexual harassment takes place, especially among people we trust. The piece showcases the inner conflict of the main character and how they painfully come to terms with reality.
There are honorary mentions too such as 'Alexa' by Lee Chow Ping, 'City-Dwellers' by Muthusamy Pon Ramiah, 'Shucked' by Masami Mustaza, 'A Night At Tulips' by Collin Yeoh, and 'A Quiet Night' by Shaleen Surendra.
Truth be told, 'KL Noir: Magic' is not an anthology that'll blow your mind or make a major impact in the overall literary scene. But in its attempt at defining noir in the Malaysian context, the anthology is proof this country is indeed flourishing with many talented writers who're capable of producing engaging and memorable fictional works.
Thank you Amir Muhammad, Deric, Fixi, all the writers, and readers who played a big part in making 'KL Noir: Magic' happen despite an absolutely challenging period in recent history.
August 2, 2022
“You have to believe we are magic. In ancient lore, magic is depicted as a supernatural force or spiritual ability which affects the physical world, giving its owners privilege over the beholder. Magic is abundant in the Malay folk
tales Puteri Gunung Ledang and Mahsuri. In the Quran, the practice of black magic is acknowledged and forbidden. Away in the world of video games, magic can take the form of a skill or resource used in fighting battles and advancing the hero's journey. Considering its application across these narratives, it would not be far-fetched to suggest that magic is but code for disruptive technology and design, or even powerful art”.
- Intro by Dericee (KL Noir : Magic)
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Magic can be menacing for someone who believes that it is the source or evil. Magic can be wonderful for those who think that everything dont have to be linked to logic and reality. Magic is everywhere if you know how to look and enjoy it but it is nowhere if you blinded by wanting it to be rational and justified. KL noir magic return with a bang after the supposed conluded series of KL Noir : Red, White, Blue and Yellow. There’s a radio which you can talk to your dead father, The redemption of Sikh Man after years of being his father’s disappointment, The cult-like government that was supposed to take place post covid, The sweeter vangeance on a scammer/lover by a group of ladies that wanted a closure and The highly unlikely of Friendship between Taxi Driver and his passenger, Ms Devi against their common enemy. Honestly, this is a solid collection as to how diverse the stories and thew writers that featured in this and how uniquely Malaysian all of them are. This could have been 5 stars but i felt Vampire stories in KL setting seemed a bit overdone. Only if its other Malaysian Ghosts, then maybe i can add that 1 star back. Overall, I recommended this. You can finish this in one sitting.
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Individual Rating :
1. THE RADIO by Lily Jamaludin (My Rating : 4/5)
2. A NIGHT AT TULIPS by Collin Yeoh (My Rating : 5/5)
3. ART by Bissme. S. (My Rating : 4/5)
4. CITY-DWELLERS by Muchusamy Pon Ramiah (My Rating : 4/5)
5. TOOTH AND CONSEQUENCES by Terence Toh (My Rating : 4/5)
6. MASQUERADE by P. Maheswary (My Rating : 4/5)
7. JAGA DIRI, JAGA HATI by Hong Jinghann (My Rating : 5/5)
8. PONTIANAK. RISEN by Nadia Mikail (My Rating : 4/5)
9. JOB(STREET) by Nat Kang (My Rating : 3/5)
10. SHUCKED by Masami Mustaza (My Rating : 4/5)
11. ALEXA by Lee Chow Ping (My Rating : 4/5)
12. KISAH SURYA BUANA: THE MYSTERY OF SENI MAN by Nazreen Abraham Stein (My Rating : 3/5)
13. WE ARE YOUNG by Joshua Lim (My Rating : 3/5)
14. A QUIET NIGHT by Shaleen Surendra (My Rating : 4/5)
15. GROWING UP by Sharmilla Ganesan (My Rating : 4/5)
16. DRIVING MISS DEVI by Rizal Ramli (My Rating : 4/5)
17. HAUNTED by Lim Vin Tsen (My Rating : 4/5)
18. WAR DOGS by Derek Kho (My Rating : 4/5)
19. DANCE OF KALI : A STORMCALLER STORY by Fadzlishah Johanabas (My Rating : 3/5)
20. DASTAR by Sukhbir Cheema (My Rating : 5/5)
tales Puteri Gunung Ledang and Mahsuri. In the Quran, the practice of black magic is acknowledged and forbidden. Away in the world of video games, magic can take the form of a skill or resource used in fighting battles and advancing the hero's journey. Considering its application across these narratives, it would not be far-fetched to suggest that magic is but code for disruptive technology and design, or even powerful art”.
- Intro by Dericee (KL Noir : Magic)
.
.
Magic can be menacing for someone who believes that it is the source or evil. Magic can be wonderful for those who think that everything dont have to be linked to logic and reality. Magic is everywhere if you know how to look and enjoy it but it is nowhere if you blinded by wanting it to be rational and justified. KL noir magic return with a bang after the supposed conluded series of KL Noir : Red, White, Blue and Yellow. There’s a radio which you can talk to your dead father, The redemption of Sikh Man after years of being his father’s disappointment, The cult-like government that was supposed to take place post covid, The sweeter vangeance on a scammer/lover by a group of ladies that wanted a closure and The highly unlikely of Friendship between Taxi Driver and his passenger, Ms Devi against their common enemy. Honestly, this is a solid collection as to how diverse the stories and thew writers that featured in this and how uniquely Malaysian all of them are. This could have been 5 stars but i felt Vampire stories in KL setting seemed a bit overdone. Only if its other Malaysian Ghosts, then maybe i can add that 1 star back. Overall, I recommended this. You can finish this in one sitting.
.
.
Individual Rating :
1. THE RADIO by Lily Jamaludin (My Rating : 4/5)
2. A NIGHT AT TULIPS by Collin Yeoh (My Rating : 5/5)
3. ART by Bissme. S. (My Rating : 4/5)
4. CITY-DWELLERS by Muchusamy Pon Ramiah (My Rating : 4/5)
5. TOOTH AND CONSEQUENCES by Terence Toh (My Rating : 4/5)
6. MASQUERADE by P. Maheswary (My Rating : 4/5)
7. JAGA DIRI, JAGA HATI by Hong Jinghann (My Rating : 5/5)
8. PONTIANAK. RISEN by Nadia Mikail (My Rating : 4/5)
9. JOB(STREET) by Nat Kang (My Rating : 3/5)
10. SHUCKED by Masami Mustaza (My Rating : 4/5)
11. ALEXA by Lee Chow Ping (My Rating : 4/5)
12. KISAH SURYA BUANA: THE MYSTERY OF SENI MAN by Nazreen Abraham Stein (My Rating : 3/5)
13. WE ARE YOUNG by Joshua Lim (My Rating : 3/5)
14. A QUIET NIGHT by Shaleen Surendra (My Rating : 4/5)
15. GROWING UP by Sharmilla Ganesan (My Rating : 4/5)
16. DRIVING MISS DEVI by Rizal Ramli (My Rating : 4/5)
17. HAUNTED by Lim Vin Tsen (My Rating : 4/5)
18. WAR DOGS by Derek Kho (My Rating : 4/5)
19. DANCE OF KALI : A STORMCALLER STORY by Fadzlishah Johanabas (My Rating : 3/5)
20. DASTAR by Sukhbir Cheema (My Rating : 5/5)
January 5, 2026
Reason asal beli buku ni awal tahun haritu sebab cadangan rakan Twitter. KL Noir yang lain dah takde, Magic pun Magic la. Pastu boleh pulak secret giver aku bagi buku ni juga. Sudah ada 2. Apa tandanya? Tandanya kena baca! Lepas habis baca buku aku, nak let go lah. Biarla kusimpan buku yang secret giver bagi.
Seingat aku, tidak pernah baca buku Fixi Novo sebelum ni. Ini yang pertama. Fixi Verso pernah aku baca 10 tahun lepas, Tertulis di Bintang-bintang (The Fault in Our Stars). Tiba-tiba bila tengok rak buku, oh ada rupanya buku Fixi cuma ada yang dah baca tapi tak ingat, dan ada few yang tak baca lagi lol. Selain dua ni, seingatku memang tak pernah. I'll do better try explore more Fixi books. Jwanjwi! Tak tahu kenapa aku lambat mula baca Fixi tak seperti orang lain. Sebab hiatus 10 tahun? Sebab zaman tu aku stay pressed dengan Lejen Press n can't be fix-i? K takpelah, sambung review.
Cerita pertama memang best, The Radio. If you could contact your loved ones, the one that long gone forever through radio. Would you? Begitu juga dengan cerita A Night at Tulips, about PR girls who always have each other's backs. Cerita Art could capture sadness beautifully. City Dwellers give me a new perspective. Tooth and Consequences buat aku rasa nak check gigi tetibe. Masquarade reminds me of my job haha. Brian Wee from Shucked is compelling story! Alexa makes me think twice about those who have a supernatural metabolism. Bomoh in Surya Buana claimed that the leap second of every leap year opens a small quantum portal. We are Young is a tragic story. A Quiet Night keeping its mystery and misery. My heart breaks while reading Growing Up. Haunted is captivating. Learned about aphasia in War Dogs. A Stormcaller story depicts the fight between Kali and Kajai. Rahmat in Dastar should die.
Job(street) and pontianak stories probably not my cup of tea. Tapi Twilight tu aku baca pulak. Maybe I don't like pontianak short stories, maybe i love long version of them (stories, not their hair or their teeth). But, exception to Rizal Ramli vampire story. I like it. I haven’t read all of his works yet, but from what I’ve read so far, I’ve enjoyed every one of them.
"Tak jaga diri, tak jaga hati, now it's gone, and when I need it the most, don't have it, can't find it.
Don't know where it also"
Seingat aku, tidak pernah baca buku Fixi Novo sebelum ni. Ini yang pertama. Fixi Verso pernah aku baca 10 tahun lepas, Tertulis di Bintang-bintang (The Fault in Our Stars). Tiba-tiba bila tengok rak buku, oh ada rupanya buku Fixi cuma ada yang dah baca tapi tak ingat, dan ada few yang tak baca lagi lol. Selain dua ni, seingatku memang tak pernah. I'll do better try explore more Fixi books. Jwanjwi! Tak tahu kenapa aku lambat mula baca Fixi tak seperti orang lain. Sebab hiatus 10 tahun? Sebab zaman tu aku stay pressed dengan Lejen Press n can't be fix-i? K takpelah, sambung review.
Cerita pertama memang best, The Radio. If you could contact your loved ones, the one that long gone forever through radio. Would you? Begitu juga dengan cerita A Night at Tulips, about PR girls who always have each other's backs. Cerita Art could capture sadness beautifully. City Dwellers give me a new perspective. Tooth and Consequences buat aku rasa nak check gigi tetibe. Masquarade reminds me of my job haha. Brian Wee from Shucked is compelling story! Alexa makes me think twice about those who have a supernatural metabolism. Bomoh in Surya Buana claimed that the leap second of every leap year opens a small quantum portal. We are Young is a tragic story. A Quiet Night keeping its mystery and misery. My heart breaks while reading Growing Up. Haunted is captivating. Learned about aphasia in War Dogs. A Stormcaller story depicts the fight between Kali and Kajai. Rahmat in Dastar should die.
Job(street) and pontianak stories probably not my cup of tea. Tapi Twilight tu aku baca pulak. Maybe I don't like pontianak short stories, maybe i love long version of them (stories, not their hair or their teeth). But, exception to Rizal Ramli vampire story. I like it. I haven’t read all of his works yet, but from what I’ve read so far, I’ve enjoyed every one of them.
"Tak jaga diri, tak jaga hati, now it's gone, and when I need it the most, don't have it, can't find it.
Don't know where it also"
June 6, 2021
For some reason, I can never fully vibe with any KL Noir books. I think it has a lot to do with my expectations. This wasn't magical enough for me. I do like the ones with gods and goddesses. But other than those, most fell flat for me, and many of them aren't anything new either. Below are my three favourites:
-Art by Bissme. S
-Tooth and Consequences by Terence Toh
-Shucked by Masami Mustaza
Read
January 10, 2022The short stories is good but honestly, I expect more because the previous KL Noir series have a better storytelling
July 13, 2024
Okaylah.. Cerpen pelbagai genre.. Ada beberapa yang memikat hati Sha.. Selebihnya biasa-biasa sahaja..
September 10, 2025
on holiday..took me a while 😅 love KL noir 🙏🏾
August 22, 2024
kocham, to tyle.
April 18, 2023
Consist of short stories set in KL, some are dark, some are cruel, and some takes you to the moon. This book really challenges my imagination skill which I enjoy reading them throughout the day.
I recently find joy in reading compilations of stories in one book. I was able to go back to past times, adventuring the places in KL in my mind, reminiscing the starless night with the characters written in the book.
As a person who grew in a small town far from the hustle and bustle of big city, I experienced as good as the local while sitting and creating images on my own.
This book is not for all audiences but, I do like it as it is.
I recently find joy in reading compilations of stories in one book. I was able to go back to past times, adventuring the places in KL in my mind, reminiscing the starless night with the characters written in the book.
As a person who grew in a small town far from the hustle and bustle of big city, I experienced as good as the local while sitting and creating images on my own.
This book is not for all audiences but, I do like it as it is.
November 7, 2021
Koleksi cerpen berlatarbelakangkan sisi magis kota Kuala Lumpur. Penuh dengan imaginasi, makhluk luar biasa, dan serbuk putih. 5 Personal favorite - A Night At Tulips, Tooth And Consequences, Alexa, A Quiet Night, dan Driving Miss Devi.
June 4, 2021
of crime, tribulations, morally ambiguous characters, bitter endings and redemption arcs- all in the city of kuala lumpur. very on brand pick
October 3, 2024
4.5
A great collection of ghostly, otherworldly stories set in Kula Lumpur.
I am a fan of tropical gothic stories. Humidity and heat just matched spooky vibes for me.
I loved it, also the diversity displayed in the authors and stories fits KL.
A great collection of ghostly, otherworldly stories set in Kula Lumpur.
I am a fan of tropical gothic stories. Humidity and heat just matched spooky vibes for me.
I loved it, also the diversity displayed in the authors and stories fits KL.
November 20, 2022
A flop from its predecessors
March 23, 2023
I was charmed by its dark and cynical collection of noir. Just like a mysterious wine - smooth, bittersweet yet endearing.
April 9, 2023
Felt the stories were a beautiful reflection of what Malaysia has to offer. Dastar definitely hit a note as a Punjabi myself.
January 6, 2025
This book has many stories with cliffhanger ending. Some stories are interesting, while some aren't.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews