"Orang macam kita" or "People like us"

I have finished reading "Orang macam kita" or "People like us" in two days. I don't know why, I am not impressed with what I have read. Some of the short stories were adaptation from foreign writers (in which I believe, it would be best read in its mother tongue or English), some are new local writers branching out and showcasing their talents. A bit confusing on my part, not on the issue that were discussed, but am I that lack of creativity until for me some of the stories are a bit boring, sometimes too lengthy and too exaggerating in terms of the usage literary devices, metaphor and similes, you name it everything is in there. Throughout my reading, I was translating each and every word into English so that I would be intrigue to finish a short story. Like I said, I prefer that book to be in English maybe my perception would be different. Quoting from a friend "We should welcome new writers, only they should be able to write at least to a minimum standard."

I feel like that book is only being used as a continuance to the book "Body2Body (will be reading that), to show that however hard people pressure the gay community they will live on through writing and literary works, in the effort of "educating" or creating awareness. My personal point of view is, in doing so, one must make sure that the standard of writing even for new comers should be set at par, in order for a book to accepted as literary work (despite its genre), if not, it can only be perceive as words on papers compiled into a book, but the impact maybe ambiguous and vague. In order for a book to inspire, it need to be well written and well thought, even in translating it. 

P/s: Not that I am a good writer, but I do know my limitation. I doff my hat to those who writes and published, at least you have the courage to be read and criticized. I can accept the book, but it is not my favorite. 


But the stories that are interesting for me was a discussion on the Gay Icon in Malaysian Film (Hanya Jauhari Mengenal Manikam) and Rabak (a brother hatred towards his brother's lifestyle)