BOOK REVIEW : 5CM

 

5CM is a book written by Donny Dhirgantoro. Published in May 2005 by PT. Grasindo, 5CM has become the best selling book throughout the country. Does not stop in printing industry, 5CM has its own one and half hour of movie adaptation in 2012 with the same title. The book has become one of my personal favorites since I finished the last page. The way Donny crafted the words and instilled the souls into the six characters, Zafran, Riani, Arial, Genta, Ian and Dinda, has risen the book into lively journey of best friends trying to conquer the Java highest peak of Mahameru. The intrapersonal conflicts within characters and how they have to subdue their egos in order to survive the harsh environment they've trying to thrive on to for the sake of their dream has put the papers into the colorful yet intense journey that will swipe away the boredom or simply cliche induced moans of the readers. The 381 pages telling life stories through perspectives of five characters (minus Dinda) will make us understand each of the characters into deeper level. The 'chilling' way characters carrying the stories and how it connects to each of them also emphasize their lively personality that you and me will start to think that we're blending our mind into them.

The theme of the book tells about the friendship and its struggle to hold it. We're going to be introduced with five main characters, Zafran, Riani, Genta, Arial and Ian through each divided section of their own perspectives. We also get an introduction from Arial's sister, Dinda, later in the story. Even though we're not going to see her through particular perspective but from our five characters, she still plays the important roles to the story. The main plot of the book is telling on how these five characters have to deal with their inevitable situations where everything has become dull and static. Certain circumstances have driven them into the unexpected surprise that our five (or six) individuals have to take the journey to climb the Java highest peak of Mahameru. Along the way, their relationship is tested and they are pushed into the limit that they have to throw their limiting rationality for the sake of their dreams and relationships. The author intends to show us how effortful it is to keep what is seem to be a precious thing to us when we are tested into the harsh and pushing situations to the point that we couldn't rely on rationality. 

The way book comprised the stories into neat divided sections that correlating one another without any contrast is probably the best from this book. We're given the five unique perspectives of each characters that give us depth into the role they're playing in. The unique dialogues and interesting variations of topic also describe our characters, from witty carefree Ian to intellectual humanist Zafran. Even so, some subplot and scene that seems to come out of nowhere are also can be find in certain sections. The irrelevancy of character such as Dinda has also become my one annoying whisper on the back of my head about this book. In a book with title of 5CM that endorsed the five main characters struggle has gotten an additional character that seems only to be put for plot progression in later chapters. Dinda, as irrelevant character I mentioned before, also does not get her own perspective segment to the point where we're only see her development through our five knights. These things seem out of nowhere but not much that it ruins the whole book.

To summarize my thoughts. I'm pretty much satisfied on how this book has appeared to be. The characters, the plot, the setting and the messages it tries to tell are just extraordinary. 5CM is not a common cliche friendship novel and it is full of surprise and wholesome moments. It will crack your laugh, dazzle your thought and tear-bending your glimmering eyes in your comfy sofa. 5CM is definitely worth reading to everybody.