I found out about this book because the film adaptation suddenly went viral on social media. The film became popular because it relates to Jakarta workers who do a lot of work to be able to have a house in the suburbs of Jakarta. I even followed one of the trends from the film's audience—who defined why Kaluna, the main character in the film, could have a lot of savings. But this time I just want to talk about the book—and later a little comparison between the book and the film.
Let's get it!
Home Sweet Loan
 |  |
|---|
Since the movie became a hit, I had this book on my wish list. While waiting for my queue schedule at the online national library, I read another book. However, this was my luck. When I was about to go home from the office, I found this book on a mini bookshelf in the MRT—which bookshelf was initiated by Jakarta Book Hive—yup, coincidentally the name is similar to this blockchain. So I didn't miss the opportunity to read this book and put aside the book I was reading at that time.
This book tells the story of Kaluna and her 3 best friends who are employees at the same company, but have different divisions. Of her three friends, Kaluna can be said to work in the general division where her salary is smaller than her three friends. However, they have remained close friends since high school. Kaluna has a fiancé who is already in a serious stage and wants to find a house for their future. However, Kaluna is the most enthusiastic about having her own house when she gets married later. Even though she doesn't, she still wants to get out of her family's house - which already accommodates two other families, namely her older sister and older brother. The two-story house they live in is very crowded with her older siblings and in-laws, as well as her nephew. Until one day Kaluna should to move to a ART's room. The crowding is what then makes Kaluna want to leave home immediately.
To realize this desire, Kaluna has to save very hard, find a side hustle that can help her income, and often does not buy food while working. Kaluna consistently uses public transportation and brings lunch for her at the office. All of that she has been going through for seven years and hopes that one more step she can find her dream house.
But in her efforts to find her dream house, a big problem happened to her older brother who had just been deceived. Her older brother asked Kaluna to help with savings to buy his dream house. Feeling very depressed, Kaluna moved out of the house right away.
For me, this book is told in a flowing style, adopting Kaluna's POV as one of the 4 main characters in this book. The author is very detailed in describing the components that are usually mentioned in the general division field. I have to appreciate the author who managed to take a theme that is very relatable to workers—aka corporate slaves who are semi-sandwich generation. This book ends with a sweet story. There is no tension between friends.
Comparison with the film—for some reason I prefer how the filmmaker bolded Kaluna's family problems into the spotlight in the film so that many people relate to Kaluna's story.
I rate this book with 3.5 from 5 start; Impressing!
Have you read this book? What do you think?
Thanks in advance, to read my blog and hope you like my post!
See you on the next post...
Vivie Hardika
Hi, Halo, Annyeong! Welcome to my galaxy.
I have so much imagination in my head. Something that I can't achieve as a human and as a girl. So writing is very challenging. Since Junior High School, I have written whatever I want to write. Without skill, I just write what I want to read. Now I have 12th published novels and all of those are romance.
Yeah, I proudly say that I am a passionate author, traveler wannabe, and blogger.