2020 | I want to share something with you before this year end! A review for 2020 AN ANTHOLOGY.

(Have been updated in august 2021. I want to add something in the last part of this entry. Thank you)

    Good day, everyone! 2020 has already come to its end but it is such a pain in the ass that we still have to face this pandemic. Maybe 2021 will be, 'Another year, the same migraine', I guess. I just hope that it will not turn to worsen in the next year and we can live normally like before. I hope.

Moreover, it is also such a pain in the ass that we all have been 'kencing'. I remembered when I was a kid, I watch this kind of advertisement on TV where it shows how Malaysia will be in 2020. I saw that Malaysia had turned into futuristic and not forgotten, I saw a flying car too! But in reality, I never saw one in 2020. What I see is only a flying Myvi on newspapers and Facebook. We all have been scammed! I don't know what to react either I need to be sad or laugh. Maybe 2020 is not that kind of year. Maybe another year. Like 2030? Or maybe 2050? Only God knows. He is the best planner.

xxx

    Anyways, I think it's better for me to take this chance to share with you one anthology, 2020 AN ANTHOLOGY, published by Fixi Novo. It is an interesting anthology as it reflects on our nation by focusing on our people, who continue to thrive and flail and exist in ways that will never be capture by even the most visionary slogans. In this anthology, Malaysian writers create "a futuristic anthology in the present tense" about this talismanic year (2020).

I was never a fan of fancy future science-fiction stuff (I'm more of a fan of the horror and thriller genre) but somehow was attracted to try this one (maybe because of its price. Very very reasonable!). This anthology, which consists of 20 short stories by 19 authors, was a mixture of various genres and actually not really focusing on the 'futuristic' part. Some are, but most of it was honestly fun, witty and included with some of the relatable current issues. Because of its varied themes, I had fun reading most of them.

This anthology was published without identifying how 2020 will go through. The reality is not as beautiful as we thought. My personal favourite short stories are Hang Terbang (It is funny...really), Masalodeh, Hukum and The White-Clothed Society. There are also some stories that I found kinda bored. I can't even catch the messages that the writer want to tell through the stories.

    As a whole, this anthology is worth reading on its own merit. If you're a Malaysian, some stories will be more resonant with you than others. Although some pieces suffer from reciting the same critiques and fun-poking at a current society that most people have today, the great writing and the other strong stories in this book will keep you reading on to the end.

I bought it in 12.12 sales in Shopee for a very reasonable price. The exact price...maybe RM 20.20? If you're interested in this book, you can purchase it NOW on Shoppe because Fixi already sale this book with a 90% discount!

Rate: 2.50/5.00

xxx

Before this year-end in less than 12 hours, I just wanted to say that, I learnt something in 2020 after a year of trials, tragedies and tears. it was a difficult year but it's okay as it will help me ( maybe you too)  to become a better person in the future ( Cliche right?). I hope 2021 will be a year that I will not be single. JUST KIDDING! I hope that 2021 will be a year where everyone will be okay. That's all for the time being. Thank you to those who are with me through thin and thick and can stand with my naughtiness. Thank you for reading my thirteenth's entry.

Take care. Bye. Happy new year!

*** "Hi, this is me from the future. 2021 is still a talismanic year. Cases are on the rise and many deaths are being recorded. As usual, I am still going through a thick and thin in life. I think I have improved a lot too. I wish you all have a blessed day. Take care.