Review: Tetralogy novel by Ilana Tan
Recently, I’ve been read a tetralogy novel by Ilana Tan (Indonesian’s novelist), a best seller novels. The title of each novel wrote the specific season and town: Summer in Seoul, Autumn in Paris, Winter in Tokyo, and Spring in London.
I know that I ever read all of it before, and I feel so stupid because when I read it again. Basically I’m one of the kind of person who will easily forget such things. I read them all, and even though I know, “ah, this one have a happy ending” but I couldn’t remember such things like, “how come they can end up together?” or “what’s the ending?” (p.s.: except for Autumn in Paris, because I’ve read it twice before I read it again. Yes, it’s my favorite novel written by her.)
So, I’d like to review each novel :)
1. Summer in Seoul
Jung Tae-Woo, Seoul famous young singer who came back after four years of avoiding the showbiz world. "I just wanted to ask you to take pictures with me as my girlfriend," said Jung Tae-Woo at the girl in front of him.
Sandy aka Han Soon-Hee, Indonesia-Korea mulatto girl who already know Jung Tae-Woo from the beginning, was not impressed at all. She looked up and stared at him, then said, "Well, as long as my face is not visible."
Originally Jung Tae-Woo unsuspecting why Sandy immediately accepted his offer. While Sandy can only hope she will not regret the decision to get involved with Jung Tae-Woo. The days of summer as a "lover" for Jung Tae-Woo had started. There was a change in feel. But they do not realize the truth of the story four years ago was chasing them.
I like Jung Tae-Woo. From my point of view, he’s an idol but so down to earth. He thinks carefully about his fans, and did his best for them. Someone who would make everyone likes him with one pure smiling to put on his face. On the other hand, Sandy (or Han Soon-Hee) is a unique woman. Her appearance, her way of think. I like both of the main characters.
This is her first novel, but I don’t even feel she have any problems with it, because the way she organize the exact words in exact time to become a sentences is so much more like a pro.
Oh even though the setting is in Seoul, but it doesn’t really show the place so I’m just doing some wild imaginations in my mind :D
(and I'm sorry I can't put any quotes because the thought to make a review about this novels comes up in my mind while I'm already read Autumn in Paris >.<)
2. Autumn in Paris
Tara Dupont likes of Paris and the autumn. She thought he had to have everything in life ... until she meets Tatsuya Fujisawa who is unpredictable and always arouse curiosity from the start.
Tatsuya Fujisawa hates Paris and autumn. He came to Paris to find the people who destroyed his life. But he did not expect fascinated by Tara Dupont, chatty girl but can soothe the soul and mind ... also change Tatsuya and his world. Tara and Tatsuya completely unaware with the thread that connects them to the past, a secret that destroyed any hopes, feelings, and beliefs.
When the truth is revealed, also revealed the meaning of despair... Sense of helplessness ... The fact is so painful to push one of them wanted to end her life...
Gosh, this is the best novel of hers so far for me. It’s not because the ending have a happy/ sad ending that makes me think, “I like this novel” but more like the story, the plots, the way she wrote all the words and sentences, how she could drew exactly what Tatsuya and Tara feels. I put some quotes from this book.
“Just for tonight. He wants to pour out his feelings for her without any guilt.”
“At that time, he wished time could stop. He was willing to give anything as long as it stopped at that time.”
“Does anyone know what it feels like loving someone that should not be loved? I know.”
“... But believe me, I'm willing to let go of anything, do anything, to be with her.”
“Now ... Just for now... Just for a few seconds ... I want to be selfish. I want to forget all the people, ignoring the world, and forget about the origins and background. Without load, demands, or hopes, I want to confess.
I love her.”
“Me and all that I want in life.”
“As long as he's happy, I'll be happy. Simple as that.”
Well, you maybe already know the story of this book from the quotes actually. They just met in a wrong place, wrong time. Tara is an attractive and likes-to-talk woman. While Tatsuya.. ah he’s so romantic, and sweet and romantic and sweet. I don’t know and am not sure whether I would cry again if I read this novel next time. This is totally worth!
3. Winter in Tokyo
My new neighbor, Kazuto Nishimura, came to Tokyo to find a new atmosphere. That's what he said, but I think the reason is more than that. He's such a good, fun, and reliable.
Slowly, perhaps since Christmas Eve I started looking at him in a different way. And since it also it was hard to imagine life without him. Keiko about Kazuto
Since the beginning I've felt something was interesting from Keiko Ishida. Everything feels good when she was there. Everything feels better when she's there. Currently in her heart there is someone she's waiting for. Her first love. I hope she can stop thinking about him and started to see me. Because life without her was not a life. Kazuto about Keiko
They first met at the beginning of winter in Tokyo. During the month together, new feelings began to form. Then everything changed when one day one of them woke up and did not remember everything that happened in the last month, including those who had already become an important part of his life ...
Some quotes:
“Now she knows what it's like waking from a beautiful dream and face the reality.
It was painful.”
“The dream will not last long. She may be living in a dream, but sooner or later reality will push enter.
And when reality pressing in and dealing with you, you can only receive.”
“What should I do so that you can see me?”
I like the plot from this novel. So fresh, feels so real. Neighbor who becoming really close until they feel something for each other. Kazuto is a photographer, and only take the objects he would feels right and good. Keiko likes to read tons books, and still finding her first love. Since I know some places in Tokyo (of course from the dorama lol) so maybe that’s why I could imagine this story in my head.
But actually I kept asking to myself, is there any rain while it’s winter in Japan? I know my geography wasn’t really good though. But I know that the rainy season in Japan (I think) is coming between summer and autumn season. And I don’t get the answer for this at all. *pity myself*
4. Spring in London
That girl did not like him. Why?
Gosh, Danny Jo is a good person. Really! He is always friendly, polite and pleasant. Then why Naomi Ishida kept far away from him like a plague? How can they work together in this music video making when she ignored him every time? What wrong has he done?
However Danny is not a quitter. He will try to approach Naomi to find out the reason she was hostile.
But there are two things that are not accounted for Danny. The first is the possibility that he will fall in love with Naomi Ishida who is a cold, mysterious and secretive. And the second is the possibility that he will uncover a dark secret that could destroy them both and the people they care about.
Quotes:
“I will not be able to avoid you even if I wanted to.”
“Because she, Naomi Ishida, has stupidly gave her heart and soul to Danny Jo.”
“But I knew I had to tell you. I can't possibly keep it forever. I don't know how you will react after hearing it, I just wish you one thing.
Don't go away from me.
Stay by my side.”
Danny is a handsome, kind, and polite, and charming with his smile. Naomi is a beautiful-unique woman with something happened in the past she can’t tell anybody. Well, another happy ending story nah, though they have to wait for 2 years to be happily together lol.
This story has a light plot at the beginning, but becoming more and more intense in the middle. And the ending is quite funny for Danny. XD
What I like about Ilana Tan is the way she wrote the prolog and epilog. It’s really interesting, because it will tells you why it happens like that, so I really super duper like the epilog specially.
And then, this tetralogy also has some kind of connection between the novels. I made this to make it easier to understand though.
Then, should I tell you which couple that I like the most? Basically, I like Tatsuya and Tara's story, it's so painful. But I don't want to have a sad ending couple as my fav though. So I'd choose Nishimura Kazuto and Ishida Keiko from Winter in Tokyo. Like I said above, the story feels so real. How Keiko finally share the hardest and painful incident she ever felt, which can't be said to other people except to someone you trust the most.
So, this is my long review about the 4 novels :D
If you are Indonesian, or you could understand Indonesian very well, give it a go!
I know that I ever read all of it before, and I feel so stupid because when I read it again. Basically I’m one of the kind of person who will easily forget such things. I read them all, and even though I know, “ah, this one have a happy ending” but I couldn’t remember such things like, “how come they can end up together?” or “what’s the ending?” (p.s.: except for Autumn in Paris, because I’ve read it twice before I read it again. Yes, it’s my favorite novel written by her.)
So, I’d like to review each novel :)
1. Summer in Seoul
Jung Tae-Woo, Seoul famous young singer who came back after four years of avoiding the showbiz world. "I just wanted to ask you to take pictures with me as my girlfriend," said Jung Tae-Woo at the girl in front of him.
Sandy aka Han Soon-Hee, Indonesia-Korea mulatto girl who already know Jung Tae-Woo from the beginning, was not impressed at all. She looked up and stared at him, then said, "Well, as long as my face is not visible."
Originally Jung Tae-Woo unsuspecting why Sandy immediately accepted his offer. While Sandy can only hope she will not regret the decision to get involved with Jung Tae-Woo. The days of summer as a "lover" for Jung Tae-Woo had started. There was a change in feel. But they do not realize the truth of the story four years ago was chasing them.
I like Jung Tae-Woo. From my point of view, he’s an idol but so down to earth. He thinks carefully about his fans, and did his best for them. Someone who would make everyone likes him with one pure smiling to put on his face. On the other hand, Sandy (or Han Soon-Hee) is a unique woman. Her appearance, her way of think. I like both of the main characters.
This is her first novel, but I don’t even feel she have any problems with it, because the way she organize the exact words in exact time to become a sentences is so much more like a pro.
Oh even though the setting is in Seoul, but it doesn’t really show the place so I’m just doing some wild imaginations in my mind :D
(and I'm sorry I can't put any quotes because the thought to make a review about this novels comes up in my mind while I'm already read Autumn in Paris >.<)
2. Autumn in Paris
Tara Dupont likes of Paris and the autumn. She thought he had to have everything in life ... until she meets Tatsuya Fujisawa who is unpredictable and always arouse curiosity from the start.
Tatsuya Fujisawa hates Paris and autumn. He came to Paris to find the people who destroyed his life. But he did not expect fascinated by Tara Dupont, chatty girl but can soothe the soul and mind ... also change Tatsuya and his world. Tara and Tatsuya completely unaware with the thread that connects them to the past, a secret that destroyed any hopes, feelings, and beliefs.
When the truth is revealed, also revealed the meaning of despair... Sense of helplessness ... The fact is so painful to push one of them wanted to end her life...
Gosh, this is the best novel of hers so far for me. It’s not because the ending have a happy/ sad ending that makes me think, “I like this novel” but more like the story, the plots, the way she wrote all the words and sentences, how she could drew exactly what Tatsuya and Tara feels. I put some quotes from this book.
“Just for tonight. He wants to pour out his feelings for her without any guilt.”
“At that time, he wished time could stop. He was willing to give anything as long as it stopped at that time.”
“Does anyone know what it feels like loving someone that should not be loved? I know.”
“... But believe me, I'm willing to let go of anything, do anything, to be with her.”
“Now ... Just for now... Just for a few seconds ... I want to be selfish. I want to forget all the people, ignoring the world, and forget about the origins and background. Without load, demands, or hopes, I want to confess.
I love her.”
“Me and all that I want in life.”
“As long as he's happy, I'll be happy. Simple as that.”
Well, you maybe already know the story of this book from the quotes actually. They just met in a wrong place, wrong time. Tara is an attractive and likes-to-talk woman. While Tatsuya.. ah he’s so romantic, and sweet and romantic and sweet. I don’t know and am not sure whether I would cry again if I read this novel next time. This is totally worth!
3. Winter in Tokyo
My new neighbor, Kazuto Nishimura, came to Tokyo to find a new atmosphere. That's what he said, but I think the reason is more than that. He's such a good, fun, and reliable.
Slowly, perhaps since Christmas Eve I started looking at him in a different way. And since it also it was hard to imagine life without him. Keiko about Kazuto
Since the beginning I've felt something was interesting from Keiko Ishida. Everything feels good when she was there. Everything feels better when she's there. Currently in her heart there is someone she's waiting for. Her first love. I hope she can stop thinking about him and started to see me. Because life without her was not a life. Kazuto about Keiko
They first met at the beginning of winter in Tokyo. During the month together, new feelings began to form. Then everything changed when one day one of them woke up and did not remember everything that happened in the last month, including those who had already become an important part of his life ...
Some quotes:
“Now she knows what it's like waking from a beautiful dream and face the reality.
It was painful.”
“The dream will not last long. She may be living in a dream, but sooner or later reality will push enter.
And when reality pressing in and dealing with you, you can only receive.”
“What should I do so that you can see me?”
I like the plot from this novel. So fresh, feels so real. Neighbor who becoming really close until they feel something for each other. Kazuto is a photographer, and only take the objects he would feels right and good. Keiko likes to read tons books, and still finding her first love. Since I know some places in Tokyo (of course from the dorama lol) so maybe that’s why I could imagine this story in my head.
But actually I kept asking to myself, is there any rain while it’s winter in Japan? I know my geography wasn’t really good though. But I know that the rainy season in Japan (I think) is coming between summer and autumn season. And I don’t get the answer for this at all. *pity myself*
4. Spring in London
That girl did not like him. Why?
Gosh, Danny Jo is a good person. Really! He is always friendly, polite and pleasant. Then why Naomi Ishida kept far away from him like a plague? How can they work together in this music video making when she ignored him every time? What wrong has he done?
However Danny is not a quitter. He will try to approach Naomi to find out the reason she was hostile.
But there are two things that are not accounted for Danny. The first is the possibility that he will fall in love with Naomi Ishida who is a cold, mysterious and secretive. And the second is the possibility that he will uncover a dark secret that could destroy them both and the people they care about.
Quotes:
“I will not be able to avoid you even if I wanted to.”
“Because she, Naomi Ishida, has stupidly gave her heart and soul to Danny Jo.”
“But I knew I had to tell you. I can't possibly keep it forever. I don't know how you will react after hearing it, I just wish you one thing.
Don't go away from me.
Stay by my side.”
Danny is a handsome, kind, and polite, and charming with his smile. Naomi is a beautiful-unique woman with something happened in the past she can’t tell anybody. Well, another happy ending story nah, though they have to wait for 2 years to be happily together lol.
This story has a light plot at the beginning, but becoming more and more intense in the middle. And the ending is quite funny for Danny. XD
What I like about Ilana Tan is the way she wrote the prolog and epilog. It’s really interesting, because it will tells you why it happens like that, so I really super duper like the epilog specially.
And then, this tetralogy also has some kind of connection between the novels. I made this to make it easier to understand though.
Then, should I tell you which couple that I like the most? Basically, I like Tatsuya and Tara's story, it's so painful. But I don't want to have a sad ending couple as my fav though. So I'd choose Nishimura Kazuto and Ishida Keiko from Winter in Tokyo. Like I said above, the story feels so real. How Keiko finally share the hardest and painful incident she ever felt, which can't be said to other people except to someone you trust the most.
So, this is my long review about the 4 novels :D
If you are Indonesian, or you could understand Indonesian very well, give it a go!