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Supernova: Akar

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The essence of life lies in the pebbles that are kicked aside as you walk down the path. It resides in a dry leaf that falls, carried by the wind. It is in the mother's milk willingly offered to any baby. In Vihara Pit Yong Kiong, Pasuruan; at the Belawan harbor; in Penang; in Bangkok; in Laos; in the Golden Triangle; in Cambodia; in Bandung; wherever you live.

But this essence may not be visible in the political currents that force you into a position of power. It hides from the cries echoing for change. The essence of life does not demand change, yet it does not reject it either. It rests in all the simplicities around you. So, seek it, and you will find it. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. Ask, and you will be given.

Thus, Dewi Lestari embodies a quest for the essence of life through a character named Bodhi. A baby who one morning was found at the entrance of the Vihara. He was taken in, nurtured, and educated by a monk, Guru Liong, who believed his karma from past lives was heavy. After 18 years of strict training, including mastering a martial art, Bodhi underwent spiritual refinement. He experienced unique moments where he "felt" like a caterpillar, a rat, a cat, and a cow.

Eighteen years is a significant time, and Bodhi bids farewell. Along with a group of Buddhist monks, he crosses to Sumatra and decides to settle in Belawan. Without an ID, and unsure of his origins or birth date, he works for three months, earning wages, and with the help of Ompu Berlin, he acquires some identity documents, including a passport. He then travels to Penang, where he meets backpackers who guide him toward his next destination: Bangkok.

Bangkok is a paradise for backpackers, bustling with travelers from around the world. Bodhi stays at the Srinthip guesthouse among a diverse group of backpackers, who come and go. Then enters Kell, a handsome man of Irish and Egyptian descent—the most beautiful man Bodhi has ever seen. Kell has a life mission to tattoo 617 people, aiming to achieve complete freedom once the 618th tattoo is marked on him. He often sings "Eye in The Sky" by the Alan Parsons Project. Kell teaches Bodhi the art of tattooing, which becomes his means of making a living.

A backpacker named Star, from Hollywood with Eastern European and Middle Eastern roots, arrives at Srinthip. She is the most beautiful woman Bodhi has ever seen, with a perfect physique. She introduces him to feelings he has never experienced before. Star asks Bodhi to tattoo her right on her breast. The universe trembles. The waves of the ocean roll. Star's cries of pain while being tattooed echo the longing of leaves yearning for sunlight. Time passes, and they part ways—mysteriously.

Bodhi continues his search for his essence. Star seems to complete his tattoo journey before moving on. The disarray feels unpleasant, but life is a series of mysteries that unfold only after complete surrender. Bodhi allows the universe to guide his next journey. He meets an old man who cared for Bob Marley, singing reggae as if that were all that existed in the world. He reunites with Tristan, a backpacker he first met in Penang. Together, they work in a cannabis field in the Golden Triangle, earning USD 700 per week. After several months, Bodhi has enough money to continue his adventures. Returning to Srinthip, he finds that Kell is no longer there—the man who brought him joy and a new perspective.

His longing for Kell peaks, and he decides to search for him. There are no clues or news. He sets off, trusting the universe and his yearning to guide him to Kell. Bodhi finds himself in a brutal fight among humans in the Golden Triangle, watched by thousands of bettors. He faces off against a giant gladiator in an intense match showcasing thrilling wushu techniques.

The journey is long and exhausting, navigating through underbrush and bullets, crossing minefields. There, he meets Epona, the girl who conquers the mines. He also reunites with Kell. During a visit to the minefield, the 618th tattoo, representing Kell's complete freedom, is inked. In a clever, silly, and tearful dialogue, a shocking scene unfolds—one of the most beautiful parts. Freedom arrives and greets him in peace. Enjoy this moment while listening to "You Take My Breath Away" by QUEEN. I dare say you'll find yourself in silence for hours afterward...

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Availability

Detail Information

Series Title

-

Call Number

F DEE s

Publisher

Bandung : Trudee Books., 2002

Collation

xiv 210 hlm ; 21cm

Language

ISBN/ISSN

9799625726

Classification

F DEE s

Content Type

-

Media Type

-

Carrier Type

-

Edition

-

Subject(s)

Indonesian Fiction

Specific Detail Info

Pluit Putri Library

Statement of Responsibility

Dee Lestari

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