Booker Prize Longlist (Malaysia Boleh!)

Malaysian author Tan Twan Eng's The Gift Of Rain recently made it into the Booker Prize longlist, much to my (and to all other Malaysian litbloggers') delight. Sharon Bakar has been making it a point to plough through the entire series of books in the hopes of finishing it before the shortlist comes out, though she thinks she won't be able to make it.


But here's an interesting thing: Tan Twan Eng is based in South Africa. Yes, he does come back to Malaysia, but the fact remains he is overseas for a good part of his time, and his book was published by Myrmidon Books Ltd (certainly not local!).

If you recall, the other great book to be written by a Malaysian in recent times was Tash Aw's The Harmony Silk Factory, which sparked off a bidding war, was nominated for the IMPAC Dublin award, and went on to become an international bestseller.


It's also a very good book (I read it when I was supposed to be studying for the SPM *yikes*).

So no surprise as Silverfish clobbers most of the local authors on the head in his post on Twan Eng's book:

While basking in the glow of vicarious glory, one cannot help but notice something: all these writers live outside the country. Why? Are Malaysians only able to get anything done when they leave the country? One can't help feeling that there are so many more successful Malaysians outside the country than inside.

Ouchies.

And then - even better:

... Is the lack of Malaysian writings the fault of our education system, then? Sure. Who hasn't heard of the many disturbing stories about our schools and the teachers? If it is, then how does one explain the writers mentioned above? Did they not attend the same local schools when they were here? Maybe they went overseas for their tertiary education, one might say. That could be it. But then how does that explain the 'failure' of those who come back from overseas after their education? No stimulus? No peers to push them on? It cannot be that we have no talent. The writers mentioned above were born here too.

Double ouchies.

Sharon, to her credit, goes on to provide reasons for this writing drought back home. The one that interests me the most is this:

Some go because ... and this is the controversial one that will have me clapped in irons ... Malaysia - let's face it - has a wonderful knack of stifling creativity.

In an environment where freedom of expression is seriously curtailed, where books and films are banned and restricted, where politicians take offense at satire, where Malay filmmakers and authors are harangued for letting the race down, where folks of different races do not feel they have an equal stake in the future of the country, where gays and lesbians face discrimination, where Malay women writers who dare write their mind have their websites hacked and receive death threats ... is it any wonder that authors look for a place where they can create without fear of censure? You see, everything is connected. One very prominent Malay writer told me that his most prized possession is his passport, and he's ready to leave if the current political and social environment becomes anymore restrictive.

It sounds depressing, yet there are writers out there who manage to produce work locally. Kam Raslan is one - publishing a cheeky commentary on Malaysian life (and getting away with it), and Sharon recognizes a great pool of young Malaysian talent whom she has met through blogs and writing courses.

Here's a shoutout to all you closet writers (coughincludingmecough). We just might be the answer to our country's creativity drought ... once our work is out there for people to read. So sharpen your pencils and take out your books. Write and write and write ... and get published.

Because, failing that, we'll all need tickets to South Africa.

Who's willing to sponsor mine?