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Once Upon a Miao: Stories from the Other Side of Malaysia
No one told me that I had to draw a person if I wanted to tell a story of a person. So, I drew myself into a cat to tell the stories of my youth, growing up in Kuching, Sarawak. It's really not because I do not know how to draw a person. Certainly not. "koff koff".
Oh, if you don't know where Sarawak is, it's on Borneo island, the other side of Malaysia across the South China Sea.
When I left my hometown at the age of 17 to pursue my studies, I found that many of my new friends knew next to nothing about Kuching. Some even thought that people from Malaysian Borneo all stayed on trees.
After 9 years of engineering and missing home, I returned home to chase after my dream of being a cartoonist. In this period back in my hometown, many memories from my days in Kuching came back to me. This book is my book of memories of the land where I grew up and fell in love with.
Honestly, I have no idea what I just wrote. That's why I prefer to use my drawings to illustrate my story.
I hope you will enjoy reading this book as much as I enjoyed writing and illustrating it.
Oh, if you don't know where Sarawak is, it's on Borneo island, the other side of Malaysia across the South China Sea.
When I left my hometown at the age of 17 to pursue my studies, I found that many of my new friends knew next to nothing about Kuching. Some even thought that people from Malaysian Borneo all stayed on trees.
After 9 years of engineering and missing home, I returned home to chase after my dream of being a cartoonist. In this period back in my hometown, many memories from my days in Kuching came back to me. This book is my book of memories of the land where I grew up and fell in love with.
Honestly, I have no idea what I just wrote. That's why I prefer to use my drawings to illustrate my story.
I hope you will enjoy reading this book as much as I enjoyed writing and illustrating it.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2015
4 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 16, 2015
funny and hilarious..most of the stories are common to our life..as a Malaysian student life n teenage life..
if there is more Miao books after this,would like to buy n read it..
if there is more Miao books after this,would like to buy n read it..
November 8, 2022
Story of memorable childhood in Sarawak.
This book is very interesting, funny, memorable and adventurous. The author is very good explanation with, fascinating words, simple yet compact with how he spent his loveable childhood in Sarawak. This book can even comparable with "When I was a Kid" by Boey. This book is also good for all ages from kids to senior citizen. Sometime can cure your boredom and stress.
This book is very interesting, funny, memorable and adventurous. The author is very good explanation with, fascinating words, simple yet compact with how he spent his loveable childhood in Sarawak. This book can even comparable with "When I was a Kid" by Boey. This book is also good for all ages from kids to senior citizen. Sometime can cure your boredom and stress.
March 4, 2019
Brilliant, sweet, heartwarming. I have been following Miao since I was in school, and through blog. When I bought the first book not long after it was published, I could not believe that Miao is in hard copy. I hope you will continue to draw and write. I will definitely buy and read them all even after I have ten grandchildren.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2019
I know about this book when I went to Comic fiesta 2018 with my bf. I saw a very cute illustration and attracted. Since I'm a Sarawakian too, I want to support the author and it turns out to be one of my fav!
November 11, 2020
I remember I read this back in 2015, when I just 10 years old kid. It's so funny and hilarious! Until now, I still don't buy the second book. GAHHH! I NEED TO BUY THE SECOND BOOK AFTER THIS, MIAO MIAO!
June 12, 2017
I introduce this to my hubby and he keeps laughing from reading this. I can't wait to read the second book.
September 25, 2017
Really cute drawings of a halcyon childhood in Kuching
December 12, 2018
I love this so much! The stories about siblings, ambition and friends is relatable but felt very bittersweet for me, personally. But seriously, this book is awesome!!!
March 19, 2021
So funny
April 13, 2025
It was a fun read, a little nostalgic too
June 8, 2022
This book is very interesting and funny, i really recommended to read when your sad and bored :)
March 3, 2023
This is also just a placeholder for “Escaped Wife of a Tyrant CEO” (translated by a Miao)! (I couldn’t find the original light novel on GR)
Update:
Not to shabby! It kept me hooked enough to keep reading till the last chapter! 😁
Update:
Not to shabby! It kept me hooked enough to keep reading till the last chapter! 😁
February 14, 2021
It’s funny and hilarious ,only one thing not good at English
March 6, 2016
Took me a while to finish but I did it anyway!! The illustrations are nicely done. The stories in the book, can be so relatable.
Hope to get to see him if he ever does come out and fly here(?)
Hope to get to see him if he ever does come out and fly here(?)
April 18, 2016
This was a cute and funny comic revolving around the author's life when he was younger, living in Kuching (aka Cat City). Makes me wanna try the Kolok Mee!
July 30, 2016
it is a good book
September 12, 2016
simplicity always give the best explainations.
love the storylines & characters.
love the storylines & characters.
June 15, 2017
I got to know about this book through Parents Group in Facebook. Finally bought it the other day.
it's a refreshing reads. Brings back many childhood memories although we are from different part of Malaysia. There are plenty similarity during our childhood. Don't think newer generation can or will appreciate the story inside more. Only those who had gone through that would understand.
thank you for bringing back many childhood memories and for not giving up on writing/drawing. Keep up the good work.
it's a refreshing reads. Brings back many childhood memories although we are from different part of Malaysia. There are plenty similarity during our childhood. Don't think newer generation can or will appreciate the story inside more. Only those who had gone through that would understand.
thank you for bringing back many childhood memories and for not giving up on writing/drawing. Keep up the good work.
August 27, 2018
Hilarious! Loved every minute of it
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews