Welcome to “Hamra & The Jungle of Memories”, the latest novel by Hanna Alkaf, set in a magical world within the dense jungles of Langkawi, and imbued with all the familiar trappings of local culture and folklore.
Long fascinated by fairytales with different incarnations across different cultures, the acclaimed local author has put her own spin on a popular Brothers Grimm story, and the result is a stirring tale of magic, friendship and adventure.
“I love retellings and reimaginings, and wanted to play with the idea of recasting a classic fairy tale in very Malaysian ways. And all the elements of ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ fit perfectly,” said Hanna, 38, in an email interview.
This middle grade contemporary fantasy is the fourth novel for the KL-based author, after her 2019 debut “The Weight of Our Sky” that won a Freeman Award for Young Adult/High School Literature. She has also written “The Girl & The Ghost” and “Queen of The Tiles”.
The novel tells the story of Hamra, a plucky 13-year-old who becomes upset when everyone around her forgets her birthday.
Made to enter the looming wilderness behind her home for an errand, Hamra’s anger causes her to break several important laws of the jungle.
Soon, a sinister “weretiger” stalks her dreams, demanding payment for her crimes or her family will suffer. Hamra and her friend Ilyas must thus venture on a harrowing quest to make things right.
According to the author, the most enjoyable part of writing her novel was crafting the magical world in which her characters had to traverse.
She said Malaysian readers would probably enjoy spotting the various Easter eggs and details from local folklore she sprinkled throughout the narrative.
“In researching previous books and ongoing projects, I encountered myths and legends that feature so many Malaysian creatures and hantus I’d like to tell the stories of, and the ‘weretiger’ is one of them.
“I am always interested in dualities; in people and creatures that must straddle two or more worlds or ways of being,” said Hanna.
Uniquely, the characters of “Hamra & The Jungle of Memories” have to deal with a problem most traditional fairytale folk have never had to: Covid-19!
“She’s a character that’s dealing with a familiar world turned upside down: with isolation and loneliness; with the caretaking of aged grandparents; all on top of the regular angst and tumult of growing up,” said Hanna.
“That means Hamra is a pricklier character than any others you’ve encountered in my books. She is frustrated, and she is sometimes angry, and that anger leads her to tumble headlong into decisions she should probably have thought through first.”
This subject matter likely comes as no surprise, given that Hanna wrote this novel through the many challenges and restrictions of the pandemic lockdowns.
She said she was juggling homeschooling and caring for her kids, working with #KitaJagaKita, a volunteer-led information directory for Malaysian Covid-19 aid as well as dealing with her regular writing deadlines.
“I was struggling with the isolation of being home, and I was burned all the way out. That the book exists at all now feels like a minor miracle,” shared Hanna, admitting that there were long stretches of time when “the words just wouldn’t come”.
Among Hanna’s next projects are “The Grimoire of Grim Fates”, a murder mystery anthology set at a magic school, co-created and co-edited by her and Margaret Owen. The book will feature interwoven chapters written by 18 acclaimed young-adult authors.
Hanna also hints at more exciting things to come, although she is not at liberty to discuss them: like the deep Langkawi jungles, she will keep her secrets for now.
Asked how she created works that are uniquely and completely local, yet equally enjoyed by international readers, Hanna revealed this was just a by-effect of trying to craft the best stories possible.
“I think my best writing, personally, comes when I pull from a well of experience. And I’m Malaysian born and raised, and so I write that into all my stories somehow,” Hanna said.
“Relatability isn’t something I chase, necessarily, because no matter the setting, I think what makes a book relatable is being able to feel with and for the characters. Locations and worlds may change, but emotion is forever.”
‘Hamra & the Jungle of Memories’ is available in bookstores nationwide. Visit Hanna Alkaf’s website here.