Welcome back to the Xlibris Blog featuring author ninotaziz. This installment features reader thumbs up for her books.
Commendations for Hikayat: From The Ancient Malay Kingdoms
What a marvelous piece of work!
– Tan Sri Datuk Dr Khoo Kay Kim, Professor Emeritus, University Malaya
You [ninotaziz] have lifted the heavy veil locking so many interesting stories from traditional Malay folklore – epicenter of Malay literature written down in paper centuries later. The assortment of stories in the book kept extending with one’s imagination and creativity. With such diversity, we have stories in prose and poem. This book happens to represent a selection of all the stories known to the Malay people in the past. In the book, we have spellbinding myths in the collective imagination and creativity of the Malay storytellers, authors. Without imagination and creativity, many of the stories will be flat, dry and unattractive. I am proud that you have taken us into another world of fantasy by stepping into some of the various stages in storytelling.
I am pleased to find so many indigenously Malay characters in the book. They include Anak Panah Gade Wat Ekor, Berantai Kepala Naga, Tuan Puteri Lindungan Bulan, Tengku Malim Deman, Si Kembang China, and Sepit Bentala Sang Naga Maha Gangg. Their appearance means so much to the authenticity of the tales in the book. They are certainly pre-Islam, thus help to push these stories back to their original sources before the coming of Hinduism at least in 100 BC and Islam in the 13th century.
– Professor Dr Ding Choo Ming, INSTITUT ALAM & TAMADUN MELAYU (ATMA), UKM Bangi
The writer (ninotaziz) wrote stories from the Shadow Puppets (Wayang Kulit), Hikayat Maharaja Wana, and the Makyung legends, The Conch Shell Prince and Raja Besar Ho Gading to be included in her latest book Hikayat – From The Ancient Malay Kingdoms. I have scrutinized each retelling and am satisfied of its authenticity in the tradition of original Kelantan Wayang Kulit. Her untiring efforts to pursue and preserve these ancient legends are admirable and I fully support her endeavours to popularize the Wayang Kulit and Makyung.
– CHE MOHD NASIR YUSUFF, Adiguru (Master) Wayang Kulit, ASWARA
In short, I would say this book is suitable for children who grew up in the urban cities and is perfect to entice them to be acquainted with the treasures of Malay Literature and Legends. Through this introduction, those who want to learn more, will certainly look for the original texts and read in its original language.
Not only that, each chapter is adorned with amazing illustrations that inspire young readers (even adult readers) to flick through and admire the Malay culture, thought and identity.
Indeed, this book should be mandatory reading for children and adolescents as well as for mothers (and fathers) who like to read stories to their children.
– Nisah Haron, Author
The book (Hikayat) acts as a wonderful primer and a treasure trove of stories that risk extinction through lack of interest, read only by stuffy academics in stuffy halls of academia. ninotaziz wants these stories to be enjoyed by the people as they were originally intended. Let’s hope her efforts will be rewarded.
– Khairul H, The Malaysian Reader
Xlibris book NAGA – A LEGEND OF TASIK CHINI
When I read through the mss of NAGA: A legend of Tasik Chini by ninotaziz, I could not help but wonder how different the tale of Tasik Chini has turn out in her wondrous retelling and adaptation of an ancient legend from Bhumi Semenanjung Melayu, linked with Inderaputera, Java, China, Champa and others.
Its engaging plot, opulent setting, and all the key elements in classic Malay hikayat are cleverly recreated to be something of pure magic with a dash of her powerful imagination and beautiful English language. This is another classic Malay story with the key elements of loyalty, betrayal, friendship, resentment, jealousy, vengeance, fantasy, omen, war, assassination, wise king, love, prophecy, birth, death, separation and reunion, among many others, one after another, have given rise to not only entertaining legends, but also all the historical events that withstand the test of time.
– Professor Dr Ding Choo Ming, INSTITUTE OF MALAY CIVILISATION, ATMA UKM
I enjoyed reading the story [NAGA] pieced together from different characters’ viewpoints and the detailed description of the culture and natural surroundings. I really appreciate the background info provided at the end of the book. It intrigued me to look up the manuscripts mentioned. I found some available online and I hope to work on my Malay to be able to read them one day.At first glance I was worried I’d get lost with the names of the characters. But as I read it, it wasn’t a problem at all.
– Khadijah, Cairo EGYPT
I have finished your book [NAGA] and I found it be absolutely enchanting. You descriptive words gave life to all of your characters and made me feel as though they could be alive here and now, even today. I commend you and congratulate you on this achievement.
– Renee Espriu, California, USA
June 18, 2013
More positive reviews for her books are featured here on the Xlibris Blog.
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