Sinopsis and Review : The Land of Five Towers

Title                 : The Land of Five Towers

Author             : Ahmad Fuadi

Page                : 400 pages

Published        : Originally published in 2011 by Gramedia Pustaka Utama, Jakarta – Indonesia under the title Negeri 5 Menara

Translation      : Angie Kilbane

Sinopsis           :

            The story begins with a child named Alif Fikri from Minangkabau. He has the desire to continue his studies at Bukittinggi High School, but his mother or the one who is usually called Amak, does not allow Alif to go to high school with the reason that Alif's knowledge in high school will not guarantee the understanding of religion for Alif. This caused an argument from Alif, but with a long time finally Alif agreed to continue his studies at the boarding school after considering his uncle's advice. Alif's uncle named Etek Gindo worked in Egypt, he suggested Alif to a boarding school in Java called Pondok Madani. Alif agreed to the suggestion because he was interested in the story of his uncle who is also a graduate of Pondok Madani, who is fluent in Arabic, English but also has a good future. Even though Alif was still half-hearted with his decision, Alif goes to Madani Islamic Boarding School with his father to register.

Arriving at Pondok Madani, Alif took a series of tests until he was finally accepted. During the registration and selection process Alif met with Said, Raja, Atang, Dulmajid, and Baso. The meeting was the beginning of the story of their close friendship. They support each other and complement each other. Although the regulations at Pondok Madani are very strict, they give a lot of lessons to them about the meaning of a struggle, how to manage time, and the magic of dreams. Alif and his friends always took the time to stare at the clouds from under the minaret of the mosque while discussing their respective dreams. Their habits produced a nickname for their friendship, namely Sahibul Menara. They believe in the magic of a sentence uttered by Kiyai Pondok Madani which reads "Man jaddah wa jaddah" (who is serious about it will succeed). Friendship and all the uniqueness in Pondok Madani's made Alif feel comfortable and made him begin to forget those half-hearted feelings. He began to feel the choice was right.

 This novel is also very useful, full of messages of moral and religious meaning. This book is perfect for Indonesian teenagers who want to learn to dream and how to make it happen. This novel has hope for the nation's successors that they must have high aspirations and try their best to make it happen, not only for themselves but also for this nation in order to rise from adversity. then I will review the insprirative story of this novel.

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The Land of Five Towers

Message From the Past

Washington DC, Desember 2003, jam 16.00

Alif stood in front of the fourth floor glass window, he was amazed to notice the snow falling. Not far from his office, The Capitol, the United States white ivory building with classic style and large pillars. The dome of the building looked like wearing a kopiah cap of the Hajj because it was wrapped in snow. Likewise with trees and roads, presenting a white view of the expanse of snow that covers the city. Occasionally there was the noise of police and ambulance sirens shouting. The cold air is minus two degrees Celsius was felt by Alif to be cooler than a glass of shaved ice made by spinning machine in his Village in West Java. Even though there was warmth, Alif was still shivering in the cold. Alif feels love and hates winter. Hate because he has to wear thick and heavy clothes also makes his skin becomes dry and itchy. But Alif is always fascinated by buildings, parks and cities covered in shiny white snow. Make it feel serene, magical and strange because the atmosphere is very different from the natural conditions in Alif's hometown on Lake Maninjau. Alif feels better prepared to resist itching than past up the  winter time charm on a day like today.

Today Alif is more excited than usual. This was the last day he entered the office before going to Europe. He went for work it is to interview Tony Blair, and as well as his personal affairs attending the invitation of The World Inter-Faith Forum as a panelist. All items Alif has prepared in a backpack. But before he left, a message came in and it turned out it was from his old friend, Atang. Atang contacted Alif after learning that Alif was one of the panelists in London and Atang would also attend the event. The fate of their other friends, Raja lives in London. It is made Alif remember his past.

A Half-Hearted Decision

Alif is an outstanding child. He was one of the students from Madrasah Tsanawiyah with the highest score of 10 in Agam Regency. The headmaster, all the teachers and his friends alternately congratulated. Alif feels happy and proud that his high value can be a ticket to achieve his dream of going to school at Bukittinggi High School. But a few days later his dream faded after Amak (mother of Alif) asked Alif to continue his education in a boarding school. Of course this is very contrary to Alif's wishes. Amak wants Alif to go to a boarding school on the grounds that he wants his son to become a great religious leader with extensive knowledge. Amak did not allow Alif to go to school in high school not because of the fees but wanted to have superior seeds that entered the madrasah aliyah. Alif had refused Amak's wish, but all of Alif's reasons were not accepted. Finally Alif chose to calm down, stay in the room to avoid any interaction in his family as a form of protest to Amak. Three days later Alif got a letter from his uncle, Mr. Etek Gindo. In the letter, Ethek Gindo told of his friend in Egypt who graduated from Pondok Madani in East Java. They are successful in their careers and are fluent in English as well as Arabic. Mr. Etek Gindo advised Alif to consider the school there. At first Alif was hesitant but finally Alif decided to go to school at Pondok Madani. Alif's parents allowed their children to migrate despite their reluctance.

Miece Meeting

After deciding his choice to attend Pondok Madani, Alif left his hometown and his father to East Java by taking an intercity bus. According to information from Mr. Etek Gindo, the registration to Pondok Madani is 4 days away, even though the road trip there requires 3 days. During the trip Alif experienced various obstacles and got moral values ​​from every incident. The farther away from his hometown made Alif doubt about his decision. The length of time taken makes Alif and other passengers motion sickness. Luckily, Mr Muncak is a bus driver, good at reading the situation. Mr Muncak plays films and local comedy that are very popular in the Minang community. The tale tells the story of a mouse who wants to save himself from a cat. The atmosphere began to change to become more cheerful. It didn't get there, when Alif was drunk suddenly the tire from the Bus broke in the middle of the forest. Even worry began to look back from the faces of the passengers. Once again Mr Muncak can ensure that the trip will be fine and arrive at the destination on time. Before midnight the bus arrives at the dock. This is a new experience for Alif to board a ship and again Alif feels travel sickness. Very difficult struggle. Alif travel is not only about crossing geographical boundaries but also penetrating cultural and language boundaries. During the trip Alif noticed the differences in wisdom from each region, starting from home, food and language. Even the various types of forest he used to. It's an amazing experience for Alif.

After three days, Alif arrived at the Ponorogo terminal. Alif and his father met a young man in a white shirt named Ismail Hamzah, who was the new acceptance committee for Pondok Madani students. Ismail gave direction to Alif and his father. Alif's journey starts again. This is actually the beginning of Alif's life journey.

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Alif's struggle has not stopped here, there is still a continuation and it must be very inspiring. Thank you for visiting. I hope this paper is useful, see you later  (^_^)