Glitz, Gossip, and Greed: Ong Chin Huat's Harmony Heights Exposes the Underbelly of Opulence

           

"Glitz, Gossip, and Greed: Ong Chin Huat's Harmony Heights Exposes the Underbelly of Opulence"

Harmony Heights by Ong Chin Huat

Book Review by Dhiraj Sindhi

Harmony Heights by Ong Chin Huat

Authors: Ong Chin Huat

ISBN: 978-9815144512

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Dramedy

Length: 288 Pages

Publication Date: February 2024

Publisher: Penguin Random House SEA

Cover Designer: Chinmayee Samant | Website: chinmayeesamant.com

Order your copy right now: https://amzn.to/3PRgeva

About the Writer: After graduating from the London School of Economics with a law degree and later called to the Bar in both the United Kingdom and Malaysia, Ong Chin Huat studied History of Art at the British Institute of Florence in Italy. Deciding to pursue a career in journalism, he became the first Chinese person to work at the Hong Kong Tatler as the Social Editor. After a stint as a columnist at the South China Morning Post, he started his own PR Consultancy specialising in fashion and luxury goods. He has been a judge for the Miss Asia Pageant in Hong Kong, Miss Charm de Chine in Shanghai and Mrs.International Global Grand Final in Kuala Lumpur. Currently, he is a freelance writer, fashion stylist and TV Host and has contributed to The Star, Life Inspired, Luxurious Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, Design Anthology, Elle and Conde Nast Traveller among others. He hosted a TV Show called ‘Hong Kong High Life’ on ATV Hong Kong as well as a talk show named ‘Driven’ on TheStarTV.com. Voted as one of Hong Kong’s Best Dressed Personalities by the Hong Kong Fashion Designer’s Association, he has met and interviewed everyone from movie stars and business tycoons to politicians and world-class athletes.

Ong Chin Huat (Source: Tatler Asia)

Instagram: @chinhuat_ong

Disclaimer: This review is only intended to initiate discussions. The opinions and views presented in this article are my own and do not reflect anything about the book's author. 

REVIEW

Ong Chin Huat's Harmony Heights takes us on a whirlwind tour of a Malaysian condominium complex. The setting is idyllic – a low-density condo retreat on the outskirts of KL. But beneath the surface of manicured lawns, designer facades, wealth, respectability lurk dysfunctions, deceit, mental health struggles, and a hunger for power.

The novel lays bare the hypocrisy of a society that prides itself on status while rotting from the inside out, where acts of desperation and greed could be seen as personal failings and systemic issues that perpetuate the cycle of disparity. 

The strength of Chin Huat's novel lies in its characters. They're a fascinating bunch, each harbouring secrets that could shatter the illusion of their perfect lives. We've got a cast that's more crowded than a Black Friday sale. We have typical high-society types with closets so deep that you could lose a pair of Jimmy Choos in there and not find them until next season. Here, gossip flows faster than teh tarik at a mamak stall. But then we also get a glimpse of the struggles of the domestic workers and the immigrants trying to make ends meet. And the secrets? Oh, they're juicier than a ripe mango on a hot day. 

Chin Huat throws us into this melting pot of cultures, nationalities, and social classes. There's Jan and Erika, a lesbian couple with their adopted Bangladeshi daughter, and Azizah, a former singer, alongside the wannabe aristocrat Padma and her equally troubled daughter Shivana. Widya, the Indonesian maid, harbours a secret romance with the groundskeeper, Iqbal, who lives with Asperger's. Let's not forget Dr. Desmond, a controlling patriarch who paints a far cry from the image of a respectable doctor. And many more! All with a side of drama that could give any soap opera a run for its money.

From Azizah's battle with menopause and its psychological effects to Padma's ****mania and Shivana's ****mia, Chin Huat paints a vivid picture of individuals struggling to cope with their personal demons. (**** - Mental health issues not mentioned to avoid spoilers.)

The initial chapters meander slowly, like a monsoon breeze. We're bombarded with introductions, each character sketch accompanied by a peek into their past and present woes. Just when you think it can't get any wilder, the narrative explodes around the 100-page mark. Flaws unfurl, secrets spill, relationships combust, and the narrative transforms into a full-blown suspenseful noir.

Despite the meticulously crafted build-up, the resolution is both abrupt and unbelievable. The individual character arcs are conveniently left dangling to readers' imagination. "Harmony Heights" stumbles in its attempt at a grand finale. The climax feels rushed, failing to deliver a satisfying resolution to the multitude of brewing conflicts. 

Instead of a grand, unifying climax, we get a series of individual denouements. The individual resolutions feel underwhelming. The ending is open-ended, not in a way that tantalizes but in a manner that feels incomplete. It's like devouring a seven-course meal only to find the main course missing.

Harmony Heights gets bogged down by its sprawling cast and melodramatic climax. The constant brand-dropping becomes a distraction. It's like the characters are walking advertisements, but it gets a bit eye-roll-inducing after a while.

There's also a nagging sense of missed opportunities. The overarching societal issues teased throughout the novel remain unexplored. Each resident is a potential protagonist, brimming with a backstory and struggles begging to be explored. Honestly, this feels like the first season of a killer show - this gossip rag of a novel deserves a second act! (I can't wait to see where Chin Huat takes things next.) Each book could delve into the lives of a specific character or group, tackling social issues and personal battles with greater nuance. Each book could culminate in a character arc that feels earned, delivering the closure that the sprawling narrative of the single novel lacks.

Despite its shortcomings, the novel has flashes of brilliance. The characters, especially Jan, Erika, Widya, and Iqbal, are endearing and complex. The book is a reflection of life's complexities, and while it may not offer all the answers, it certainly raises some thought-provoking questions. Through its characters, the book challenges readers to look beyond the surface and see the actual cost of fake elitism. It's a reminder that the most dangerous kind of poverty is the one that affects empathy, equality, and justice.

Harmony Heights is a juicy, fast-paced read. It's a peek into the lives of the privileged, the struggling, and everyone in between, reminding us that appearances can be deceiving. Harmony Heights will keep you turning the pages. It's a front-row seat to the greatest show of human nature in all its flawed glory. And trust me, you don't want to miss this spectacle.

Happy Reading!

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Book Review: One Night Only by Saumyaa Vohra | Contemporary Fiction

         

"One Night Only by Saumyaa Vohra"
Book Review by Dhiraj Sindhi

One Night Only by Saumyaa Vohra

Author: Saumyaa Vohra

ISBN: 978-9395624510

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Length: 288 Pages

Publication Date: 5^th May 2023

Publisher: Pan Macmillan India

Cover Illustrator: Rijuta Agarwal | Website: rijutaagarwal.com

Cover Designer: Haitenlo Semy

Order your copy right now: https://amzn.to/3NNyRPW

About the author:

Saumyaa Vohra is a writer and editor. She is currently Lifestyle Editor at GQ India, and was previously Editorial Head at LBB Delhi and Features Editor at Cosmopolitan India. Her work has appeared in various publications, including several international GQ editions, Vogue Italia, Hindu, Hindustan Times Brunch, Outlook and Condé Nast’s queer magazine Them. She is fun to hang out with, despite her penchant for bad British panel shows, boxing classes, baking needlessly elaborate desserts and cats that don’t love her back.

Saumyaa is bisexual and an unflinching feminist – even when it’s terribly inconvenient and not particularly cute – and somehow still manages to maintain a sense of humour and several unburnt bras.

Saumyaa Vohra

Instagram: @saumyaavohra

GQ India: GQ India Saumyaa Vohra

Disclaimer: This review is only intended for initiating discussions. The opinions and views presented in this article are my own and do not reflect anything about the book's author. 

REVIEW

One Night Only is a tantalizing and mood-lifting contemporary fiction transporting the readers to the journey of four friends rediscovering the power of sisterhood on a girls' trip to Goa after one of them—a 'serial monogamist'—gets dumped by her long-term boyfriend. Set against a backdrop of pulsating nightlife, exquisite cuisine, and endless possibilities, the book travels the roller-coaster arc of the friendship (I'll take it as a main character here), where life-changing and meaningful one-night stand stories are unearthed from the archives in the pursuit of understanding each other and themselves, their needs and wants, ambitions, and insecurities. The narrative boldly embraces sex-positive (as Meenakshi suggests in her editorial review) ethos, fostering an environment where sexual exploration and empowered self-expression ignite a sense of liberation and self-discovery.

Apart from the little spicy friendship dynamics, the book explores their relationships with their partners and their views on relations of all kinds, from marriage to open relationships and being friends with an ex. One Night Only is also one of the best hosts of bisexual representation, with a healthy discourse that thoughtfully dismantles myths and misconceptions about bisexuality, celebrating diverse identities and experiences. Goa is another significant subject as characters reminisce about their Goa memories tinged with bittersweet nostalgia and how it has transformed over the years. Out of all the characters, I could relate most with Rubani, and if you've read the book, you'd know how much I needed this book. Lol.

It's an escapist read, detached from the world and only focusing on the fierce foursome, as people often do when on a break. It'd be a fantastic read if you are looking for a break. I liked how Saumyaa enveloped the book with an open-ended ending and a profound climactic story that surpassed all others in delivering the message. It explores unconventional territory while deftly navigating the waters of reality. Thankfully, it did not veer too far into conventionality to be dismissed lightly but rather challenged readers to engage with the complexities woven throughout the pages.

Happy Reading!

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In ITCOS, Awais Sophisticatedly Paints Secretly Flourishing Affair amidst Terrorism

    

"In ITCOS, Awais Sophisticatedly Paints an Awkwardly Blooming Love Life of a Woman Caught amidst the Irony of the Elites, Collapsing Marriage and Terrorism"

Book Review by Dhiraj Sindhi

In the Company of Strangers by Awais Khan

In the Company of Strangers by Awais Khan

Author: Awais Khan

ISBN: 978-9386797759

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Length: 271 Pages

Publication Date: 10^th December 2019

Publisher: Simon & Schuster India

Cover Designer: Mridu Agarwal | Instagram: @storypals

Order your copy right now: https://amzn.to/3Gypy2V

About the author:

Awais Khan was born in Lahore, Pakistan. 'In the Company of Strangers' is his first novel published by Simon & Schuster, Hera Books and Isis Audio. His second novel 'No Honour' is published by Orenda Books and Isis Audio. He is a graduate of The University of Western Ontario and Durham University. He studied Creative Writing at Faber Academy. His work has appeared in numerous publications and he was longlisted for the Short Story Dagger in 2022. He has appeared for Interviews on BBC World Service, Dubai Eye, Voice of America, Cambridge Radio, Samaa TV, City42, Maverix Media and PTV Home to name a few. He has been on the judging panels for Gwyl Crime Cymru Prize and the Cheshire Novel Prize. He is represented by Annette Crossland (A for Authors Agency Ltd, London).

In his free time, he likes to read all types of fiction, especially historical fiction and crime/psychological thrillers. He is hard at work on his forthcoming novels.

Awais Khan

Instagram: @awaiskhanauthor

Twitter: @AwaisKhanAuthor

Website: www.awaiskhanauthor.com

The Writing Institute: thewritinginstitute.online

SYNOPSIS:

The emotionally gripping story of love and loss in Pakistan. In the glittering world of Pakistan's elite, all is not what it seems… Mona has almost everything: money, friends, social status... Everything except for freedom. Languishing in her Golden cage, she craves a sense of belonging… desperate for emotional release, she turns to a friend who introduces her to a world of glitter, glamour, covert affairs and drugs. There she meets Ali, a physically and emotionally wounded man, years younger than her. Heady with love, she begins a delicate game of deceit that spirals out of control and threatens to shatter the deceptive facade of conservatism erected by Lahori society, and potentially destroy everything that Mona has ever held dear.

Disclaimer: This is not a review, it is only intended for initiating discussions. The opinions and views presented in this article are my own and do not reflect anything about the book's author. 

REVIEW

In the Company of Strangers by Awais Khan is an unputdownable contemporary fiction novel set in Lahore that is witnessing frequent terrorist attacks; told from the perspectives of an overnight sensation in the modelling world—Ali and a woman from Lahore’s elite class—Mona. Ali’s life is shaken to its roots when he finds out that his brother is one of the victims and survivors of the latest terrorist attack in the city. On the other hand, Mona’s college best friend Meera’s glamourous comeback to Lahore’s elite group proves to be a catalyst for her life bound with the shackles of her doomed marriage. The novel has you hooked from its very first page as it elegantly explores the lives of its characters, divulging their struggles and secrets, one at a time.

The novel goes on to talk about some serious issues at length as Mona and Ali come closer and subplots overlap to create a complex web of sharp contrasts threaded with irony. The irony is like the main character in the novel, a literary device that could be discussed extensively in a research paper. The novel sheds light on the position of women in society and also raises voice against the oppression and humiliation they face through Mona’s mother-in-law—Nighat’s epic monologue, which goes like, “They’d wipe that bright red lipstick from your lips, probably slice your lips off in the process. Then they’d shroud you in a burqa and so many layers of clothing that you’d be unrecognisable…that’s the way they like their women.” Grab your copy to read the full monologue, it’s one of my favourite parts.

Another thing that I adore about this book is the ending. Despite so many layers of internal and external conflicts that plunge this book so deep and far, Awais Khan has aced the denouement game and overall wrapping up of the novel with a mind-blowing climax. On the whole, ITCOS is an extremely easy-to-read book that also carries the sheer intensity of terror production and women’s oppression.

Highly recommended!

Happy Reading!

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Not a Review: My Experience with A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara | Spoiler Alert

 

My Experience with A Little Life (Spoiler Alert 🔔)

Not a Book Review by Dhiraj Sindhi

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

Author: Hanya Yanagihara

ISBN: 978-1447294832

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Length: 720 Pages

Publication Date: 2015

Publisher: Picador Collection (10 March 2017)

Order your copy right now: https://amzn.to/3NSCqm5

About the author:

Hanya Yanagihara is the author of the internationally bestselling A Little Life. She lives in New York City.

Hanya Yanagihara (The New Yorker)

Instagram: @hanyayanagihara

A Little Life: @alittlelifebook

To Paradise: @toparadisenovel

Disclaimer: This is not a review, it is only intended for initiating discussions. The opinions and views presented in this article are my own and do not reflect anything about the book's author. 

REVIEW

As you start reading, you're happy to know the characters and you appreciate the relationship they share with each other and the friendship, affection, care, and support. Their origins are exposed to you, where they are coming from, some of them simple to understand and the others, complex. You're told of their current struggles, finding a footing in their respective careers, regarding their identity, their altering relationships as they cannot live together anymore and grow apart. Years go by, Thanksgiving after Thanksgiving and they eventually establish prominent positions in their fields.

Meanwhile, there comes a turning point in Jude's life when he is adopted by Harold. Things turn grave from now onwards as these changes and events keep reminding us that life is difficult. Jude suffers a lot because of his leg injury, the reason behind which is yet to be revealed and his traumatic past, only the slightest details of which have been revealed yet. Then comes JB's addiction and how the group literally falls apart. Willem and Malcolm also have their own troubles but now the focus narrows down on Jude's life.

At some points, I felt like I could relate to Jude at many different levels, not to the level or extent Hanya has heightened the stakes and circumstances, but very basic level and I would agree with his perception of the world and the people in his life and his relationship with them and I felt terrified. She has made it so raw and real that you cannot imagine these things outside of your own reality. The episodes I could relate with, which is not a problem anymore thankfully. And whenever there was the 'cutting' scene, after I'd stopped reading, I'll watch my own hands and wrists as if it would have been replaced with Jude's and I'll cover them and wrap arms around myself. And the next bathroom trip wouldn't be easy as you can't brush off these memories that would linger for some time before you distracted yourself. But then you get accustomed to it. I got accustomed to it and accepted Jude's life as it is. 

I loved how Yanagihara announced most of the shocking, horrifying, traumatic events way before they'd take place in the novel. You'll read a line, a sort of advanced notice or forewarning and you'll know how this is going to end. One example is 'He knows Caleb hates his walk' or 'The First time Caleb hit him.' She always lets you choose whether you'd want to continue or not. Once you're past this chapter, there's no going back, things have changed and it only gets worse even if she promises a little relief in 'The Happy Years'. By the end of 'The Axiom of Equality', I imagined tearing apart the book and its pages and drowning it in the water tank and flinging it from the terrace to some unknown terrain that it wouldn't return to me. But I knew, as much as I hated it, I loved reading it too, in fact, more. 

I wanted to know what 'the home' was and who this Dr. Traylor was. And this explanation wasn't too far from where I stood. In the meanwhile, the relationships changed, and everyone was around again. Yanagihara portrayed so well, the situation of Jude, how he felt about everything, how a person thinks after going through what he'd gone through and enduring so much of it. For me, it couldn't get more real than this. Still, now, because of his relationship with Willem, and for Harold, Jude tries even harder to not just survive but do his best at living, the extreme he could touch like he reaches the highest sound frequency, at which it becomes the constant silence. And then comes Harold's point of view, how he discovers gradually what Jude meant when he said he'd be disgusted to learn who he was, rather what he is. That he really thought he deserved this all that he still believed those people, his tormentors, after all. In this particular Harold's narrative, you go through this pain all over again.

Then there are some events you could have never expected to arrive without warning, they hit you suddenly on the face like a slap and you're left dumbstruck. This happens at the end of 'The Happy Hours', still you can't swallow it. I had read the previous 60 pages in one sitting and I tried to continue. I started reading 'Dear Comrade' still unable to accept what had happened. Then this line— 'he goes first to Willem's side of the closet, which he still has not emptied.' and I just couldn't continue reading further. I put aside the book and tried to let the fact sink in and as the night was approaching, I made up my mind that I'll be finishing the remaining 90 pages that night only no matter what. I got over the fact that Willem was gone, nothing can be done, but what about Jude after him? It was painful but a few pages after that I learned none of them survived, not Malcolm, not Sophie. And the dams burst open at the mention of it. I could've kept crying but I needed to get this done with and I wiped away my tears and took a swig from a water bottle and continued.

My face, my cheeks and my head were hurting as I tried to control my emotions, to keep myself from crying because I wouldn't be able to read then. It became a slippery hill from then on, at regular intervals there would come stumbling stones and I will be knocked down. I would fall, I would cry and then get up again and resume descending towards the end we had all anticipated. There are more such stumbling blocks in the last 'Lispenard Street' and because narration has returned to Harold, who is conversing with his son's partner—Willem, it is obvious that it's done. On every page, you expect this to happen like this is the moment and then finally! I gathered myself quickly and resumed. And I read, 'I didn't know Andy would be dead three years later of a heart attack' and I lose it. This destruction is beyond repair. There could be nothing worse than that and you see Harold and Julia left alone, only JB to their company, them reading eight long pages of Jude's confession of what had happened to him.

Do I recommend this book? Most definitely. Not to everyone though. There are enough trigger warnings you can find on Goodreads. And as I said earlier, you will know what to anticipate and you will be forewarned. So it will be completely in your hands whether to continue or not. But yes, mere curiosity and 'want' to cry wouldn't suffice, it'll demand much more effort.

Am I going to re-read it? Yes, of course. I have kept the book very clean for the type of book it is. It can be studied with different readings because it has a lot of content on many subjects. I'll use pencils to underline text, I'll use sticky notes to annotate, I'll use highlighters, etc. That will be my second reading.

Thanks a ton to the person who recommended this book to me: Raul Jeremiah Rai. Wishing him success in his UPSC CSE journey.

Happy Reading!

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Dhiraj Sindhi's favorite books »

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Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Don't forget to subscribe for more content. Thank you so much for reading!

Will see you in the next post. Till then buh-bye. Take Care. Peace. ☮