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A Cup of Java : A Tale of Teenage Angst and First-time Romance
A Cup of Java - A tale of teenage angst and romance in the happening city of Yogyakarta!
"Does it bother you, Arjun, that Dewi is shy?"
"Actually no, Tante. I don't think she's going to be shy forever. In fact, I find her shyness rather endearing. There's something inherently sexy about a shy person. Every time Dewi gives me two of herself, I know there's eight more in her treasure trove of love and passion for me to dig in and enjoy."
'A Cup of Java' traces the love between Dewi, a 17 year-old teenager, born and raised in Yogyakarta and Arjun, the "half-man, half-god", well-heeled man-about-town Jakartan musician. In spite of her illustrious family background - her paternal grandfather was a former deputy governor of Jakarta, her maternal grandfather is a Dalang extraordinaire, their stuttering love threatens to splutter to death without ever taking off because, despite Dewi's beauty, talents, intelligence and wit, she is as shy as a rosebud growing alone in the wilderness of Merapi, the singularly beautiful, smoking-hot volcano that dominates the Yogyanese landscape.
If you think that even you can be a millionaire musician, dream on...
If you would like to know more about this made-in-heaven, smouldering love that takes place on earth, read on...
"Does it bother you, Arjun, that Dewi is shy?"
"Actually no, Tante. I don't think she's going to be shy forever. In fact, I find her shyness rather endearing. There's something inherently sexy about a shy person. Every time Dewi gives me two of herself, I know there's eight more in her treasure trove of love and passion for me to dig in and enjoy."
'A Cup of Java' traces the love between Dewi, a 17 year-old teenager, born and raised in Yogyakarta and Arjun, the "half-man, half-god", well-heeled man-about-town Jakartan musician. In spite of her illustrious family background - her paternal grandfather was a former deputy governor of Jakarta, her maternal grandfather is a Dalang extraordinaire, their stuttering love threatens to splutter to death without ever taking off because, despite Dewi's beauty, talents, intelligence and wit, she is as shy as a rosebud growing alone in the wilderness of Merapi, the singularly beautiful, smoking-hot volcano that dominates the Yogyanese landscape.
If you think that even you can be a millionaire musician, dream on...
If you would like to know more about this made-in-heaven, smouldering love that takes place on earth, read on...
492 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2015
1 person is currently reading
3 people want to read
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August 20, 2020
My aunt who is her school's discipline mistress gave me " A Cup of Java" as a gift for helping her school's "at risks" students to improve on their soccer skills.
She knows about my dream of being the best barista in town, and how my friends who're often the guinea pigs to try out my latest coffee concoction, nickname me "Coffee Genie",because my is Gin, which means genie in the Malay language.
"In case you want to go from barista to barrister", my aunt had once said to me in the most casual voice she could muster. Communication skills is the most valuable skill in the 21st century. That's why I've photocopied the dictionary at the back in a separate booklet so you'll get the meaning of the idioms and phrasal verb instantly. Study the idioms and phrasal verbs used in the novel because they're the hallmark of fluent English speaker.
When I'd finished reading "A Cup of Java", I knew that i was getting more bang for my buck and learning more English than I had bargained for. I also know that more than anything else in the world, my dear aunt wants me to avoid marrying the wrong kind of girl.
In the novel, Dewi, her mom and her University lecturer friends strongly believe that even intelligent men are simpletons in love. That's why they're often bullied into marriage.
My gut feeling tells me that even my aunt subscribes to that belief. How can I resent my dear aunt for having my best interest at heart?
But my biggest pay-off from reading " A Cup of Java" is to be introduced to Hindu mythology.
I remember a high-school teacher telling the class that if we wanted to considered as serious scholars in the west, we must be familiar with Greek and Roman mythology, in South-East Asia, we must know our Hindu mythology. That's why I've always wanted to learn more about Hindu mythology, although I'm Chinese. I just didn't know how, or where to begin. However, after reading "A Cup of Java", I had confidence to go in to Singapore's Little India to buy comic books about "The Ramayana and The Mahabharata".
Now I know why Indonesia's biggest Taxi company is named "Pandawa (Pandava) Taksi". Why crazy-rich Indonesian men name their most priced race-horses and their fancy Italian sports cars "Arjuna". And why big transportation companies name their powerful trucks and buses "Bima". Right now armed with my new knowledge of Hindu mythology, I feel confident and ready for all eventualities.
If I were a barista at Starbucks or some other cafes, and a truck driver from "Bima Express" were to ask for a cuppa to perk himself up in the wee hours of the morning, I'd be so ready to serve him.
If "Arjuna" and his other "Pandawa" brothers were to drop by to celebrate Arjuna's victory at a recent archery contest, I'd be so happy to be of service to them.... Even if the cafe security guards were to warn me that Lord "Wishnu(vishnu)" and "Garuda" were coming for a hot, heart-warming cup of Java, I'd say "Bring them on... And then when his Lordship and Garuda finally arrive, I'd bow very humbly and ask in my most polite voice. "Coffee for you and Garuda Sir? I'm your Coffee Genie. And your wish is my command."
She knows about my dream of being the best barista in town, and how my friends who're often the guinea pigs to try out my latest coffee concoction, nickname me "Coffee Genie",because my is Gin, which means genie in the Malay language.
"In case you want to go from barista to barrister", my aunt had once said to me in the most casual voice she could muster. Communication skills is the most valuable skill in the 21st century. That's why I've photocopied the dictionary at the back in a separate booklet so you'll get the meaning of the idioms and phrasal verb instantly. Study the idioms and phrasal verbs used in the novel because they're the hallmark of fluent English speaker.
When I'd finished reading "A Cup of Java", I knew that i was getting more bang for my buck and learning more English than I had bargained for. I also know that more than anything else in the world, my dear aunt wants me to avoid marrying the wrong kind of girl.
In the novel, Dewi, her mom and her University lecturer friends strongly believe that even intelligent men are simpletons in love. That's why they're often bullied into marriage.
My gut feeling tells me that even my aunt subscribes to that belief. How can I resent my dear aunt for having my best interest at heart?
But my biggest pay-off from reading " A Cup of Java" is to be introduced to Hindu mythology.
I remember a high-school teacher telling the class that if we wanted to considered as serious scholars in the west, we must be familiar with Greek and Roman mythology, in South-East Asia, we must know our Hindu mythology. That's why I've always wanted to learn more about Hindu mythology, although I'm Chinese. I just didn't know how, or where to begin. However, after reading "A Cup of Java", I had confidence to go in to Singapore's Little India to buy comic books about "The Ramayana and The Mahabharata".
Now I know why Indonesia's biggest Taxi company is named "Pandawa (Pandava) Taksi". Why crazy-rich Indonesian men name their most priced race-horses and their fancy Italian sports cars "Arjuna". And why big transportation companies name their powerful trucks and buses "Bima". Right now armed with my new knowledge of Hindu mythology, I feel confident and ready for all eventualities.
If I were a barista at Starbucks or some other cafes, and a truck driver from "Bima Express" were to ask for a cuppa to perk himself up in the wee hours of the morning, I'd be so ready to serve him.
If "Arjuna" and his other "Pandawa" brothers were to drop by to celebrate Arjuna's victory at a recent archery contest, I'd be so happy to be of service to them.... Even if the cafe security guards were to warn me that Lord "Wishnu(vishnu)" and "Garuda" were coming for a hot, heart-warming cup of Java, I'd say "Bring them on... And then when his Lordship and Garuda finally arrive, I'd bow very humbly and ask in my most polite voice. "Coffee for you and Garuda Sir? I'm your Coffee Genie. And your wish is my command."
Read
August 13, 2020When my bookworm big sister got "A Cup of Java" for her 23rd birthday, all of us commented how thick the book was. But Sarah who was unfazed said, "If I can wolf down a Big Mac in 10 mins, I can gobble up this big fat book in 3 days at the latest!" She was right. She finished it in two and a half days in fact. And then she made a deal with my parents. She said that she was willing to be my English tutor if she could use "A Cup of Java" to teach me the English language. Like the author Joriah Anwar, my sister swears by the truth that knowing lots of idioms, and especially phrasal verbs is the hallmark of a fluent English speaker. I have to work extra hard at English because for the past years I've been attending a Madrasah (a Muslim religious school) in the day time. At night, and on the weekends I learn high school English, Math and Science from a government-run institution.
My parents decided to switch me to a religious school because they are convinced that a little more religious knowledge will keep me grounded, and away from this new morality that seems to be sweeping the world. They're also confident that I will not turn to religious fanaticism. How could a fast-loving girl Sabrina embrace religiosity?
Thank God, my parents agreed to my sister Sarah's idea. So, for the past four months, I've been learning high-school English using "A Cup of Java" and I am enjoying every sip of it.
First of all, the heroine, Dewi is 17 years old, is very pretty and is a smarty-pants — just like yours truly.(Forgive me for blowing my own trumpet!) The hero Arjun was educated in American schools when he was a little boy, and still wet behind the ears. When he was 14, he came over to Singapore where he studied until he completed his A level. But the icing on the cake is that Arjun is not only handsome and intelligent, he also has a fantastic singing voice!
My sister said i should not be intimidated by the thickness of the book. I should just take what I can and forget about topics that are above my head at the moment. I can always get back to them when the time is right.
Right now, I have stars in my eyes—and am head-over-heels in love with Arjun!
My parents decided to switch me to a religious school because they are convinced that a little more religious knowledge will keep me grounded, and away from this new morality that seems to be sweeping the world. They're also confident that I will not turn to religious fanaticism. How could a fast-loving girl Sabrina embrace religiosity?
Thank God, my parents agreed to my sister Sarah's idea. So, for the past four months, I've been learning high-school English using "A Cup of Java" and I am enjoying every sip of it.
First of all, the heroine, Dewi is 17 years old, is very pretty and is a smarty-pants — just like yours truly.(Forgive me for blowing my own trumpet!) The hero Arjun was educated in American schools when he was a little boy, and still wet behind the ears. When he was 14, he came over to Singapore where he studied until he completed his A level. But the icing on the cake is that Arjun is not only handsome and intelligent, he also has a fantastic singing voice!
My sister said i should not be intimidated by the thickness of the book. I should just take what I can and forget about topics that are above my head at the moment. I can always get back to them when the time is right.
Right now, I have stars in my eyes—and am head-over-heels in love with Arjun!
June 7, 2020
After an overdose of words like Lockdown! Circuit breaker! Quarantine! Covid 19,
“A Cup of Java” seems like coming home- the perfect antidote.
When I first secretly read the back cover of my elder sister’s copy I knew I needed to read it! As i feel like i could relate to it.
The magnet wasn’t the promise of a bomb explosion every few minutes, or even of sex. It was the fact that Dewi, the heroine was a painfully shy person- maybe even more shy than I am, I’d hope!
Then my dirty little secret -the fact that I’m shy about a lot of things would leave me alone forever!
I don’t know if reading “A Cup of Java” will provide solutions to my shyness problem, but at least I feel less alone.
The fact that Arjun the hero of the story who is a psychology major declares that being creative (like being young) goes hand in hand with being shy is very reassuring because I’ve always dreamed
of being a cartoonist and a writer.
I felt caught out when I came across the part when Arjun told Dewi’s mom that her daughter swaggers to hide her shyness. I wish more adults would be more enlightened like Arjun. I also wonder why parents and teachers don’t seem to know what should really be obvious, the fact is, it is embarrassing to be shy.
I actually learned a lot from this book, i would recommend you guys to read it! Especially for the ones that are shy.
“A Cup of Java” seems like coming home- the perfect antidote.
When I first secretly read the back cover of my elder sister’s copy I knew I needed to read it! As i feel like i could relate to it.
The magnet wasn’t the promise of a bomb explosion every few minutes, or even of sex. It was the fact that Dewi, the heroine was a painfully shy person- maybe even more shy than I am, I’d hope!
Then my dirty little secret -the fact that I’m shy about a lot of things would leave me alone forever!
I don’t know if reading “A Cup of Java” will provide solutions to my shyness problem, but at least I feel less alone.
The fact that Arjun the hero of the story who is a psychology major declares that being creative (like being young) goes hand in hand with being shy is very reassuring because I’ve always dreamed
of being a cartoonist and a writer.
I felt caught out when I came across the part when Arjun told Dewi’s mom that her daughter swaggers to hide her shyness. I wish more adults would be more enlightened like Arjun. I also wonder why parents and teachers don’t seem to know what should really be obvious, the fact is, it is embarrassing to be shy.
I actually learned a lot from this book, i would recommend you guys to read it! Especially for the ones that are shy.
August 12, 2020
I hit the roof when i hear nitwits uttering words to this effect: “Sophie and Marissa are very pretty and talented, but unfortunately, they are also very shy.” Or “Aydan is so inspiring, but his shyness always gets in the way.” That’s why I felt understood and vindicated when I first came across “A Cup of Java” - the only novel I know that celebrates shyness. Uh, oh, there goes my secret! I’m one of millions of shy people who inhabit our earth, day in and day out doing our best to hide our dirty little secret. (Even uninhibited rock stars are guilty of this according to the book!) Of course, the price of the book made a dent in my young pocket, but it’s all so worth it, considering that it’s a huge cup documenting everyday life in Java. “A Cup of Java” not only reassures me that being shy does not make me a loser, it also introduced me to the glorious songs of the 50s- the 80s (so important for a musician like me), the quirks of ordinary Indonesians - especially the Javanese, the joy and pain of academia, the language spoken in Indonesia, the country with the world’s fourth largest population. Fancy a cuppa, anyone?
December 31, 2019
Wait, am I the first person to write a review for this book in the internet? :O
Alright, here is some info about the book and the author (after doing some research in the internet): this fiction work was intended to adress some misconception about Javaneses in Singapore. According to the author--who is a Javanese-descend Singaporean, Singaporeans have a kind of cynicism toward Javanese' characters. They look down on Javaneses who are regarded as shy and less forthcoming. Anwar wants to give her perspective that there are more behind Javaneses' shyness, such as grace, poise, and compassion. She also has a purpose to encourage shy English learners--particularly Javaneses, I think--to practice and refine their English competency by "learning to use English idioms, phrasal verbs and proverbs the natural way". And yes, the quoted sentence was printed on the backside of the book.
Source: [1] [2]
Now let's get into the book contents. The story is about a teenage Javanese girl named Dewi, who was romantically involved with a grown-up, big-city musician named Arjun. They met first time at a music store when Dewi was looking for an old song. Knowing that she was into oldies, Arjun tricked her to follow him and spent the rest of the day by talking and bantering. They were bonding over mutual interests: old musics, English lit, and Javanese cultures. When Arjun had to go back working in Tokyo, they committed a long distance relationship and continued their conversations on the phone. The attraction was mutual, but they both couldn't bring themselves to declare their true feelings to each other. Then a conflict happened: Arjun took a liberty to talk about Javaneses' negative characters and Dewi--being a teenager and a proud Javanese lady--took it personally. This caused a rift between them and made Arjun did a bold move: asking Dewi's parents for her to marry him.
I don't think this book belongs to teen fiction category, because (a) while Dewi was a teenage protagonist, she was romantically involved with a guy who 12 years older than her; (b) Arjun, being a red-blooded 29 y.o. guy, was depicted as undisguised with his sexual desires, proved by many sexual innuendos he delivered to Dewi; and (c) there was a topic about early marriage that couldn't be taken at face value by teenage readers.
That being said, this book is a breath of fresh air among pop, young-adult fiction works in Indonesia. I enjoyed how the conversations naturally unfolded and created the bonds between the characters. Like, I've read many fiction narratives that said the characters enjoy their conversation but didn't tell me what they were talking about or what they were feeling as the convos went. The characters also talked about many things, so I got some insights about how old Javaneses loved to make analogy with wayang folklore about many things, sexual and gender relationships, generation-based opinions, and family aspirations.
I also think it's a smart choice of the author to portray the female protagonist as a bright, old-soul yet shy teenager than a real adult woman. A Javanese adult woman, by the public standard, is already a woman who can handle sexual innuendos and discuss sex topics properly. Although Dewi was raised by educated and open-minded parents, being a granddaughter of a respected dalang, and surrounded by educated, adoptive western uncles and aunties--who had turned her into a smarty pants that charmed everyone--she remained innocent and inexperienced. Her inexperience caused her hesitation to step into uncharted territories with Arjun, which was the main obstacle in the story. And this conflict was heightened by Arjun's desire to marry her quickly. Being a grown-up man who had lived the Singaporean way of kiasu, he was afraid of missing an opportunity to live with his dream girl. He was depicted being suspicious of his "love competitors", even to Dewi's adoptive uncles.
And yeah, if we talked about real world early marriages, many educated people would be against it no matter of the offered benefits. Dewi would be judged as psychologically immature to bear such a big responsibility. She was a smarty pants, not a wise person nor an intellectual in my book.
I can say that the conflict was resolved in a typical Javanese win-win solution. Although Dewi's mother and Arjun's aunt were anti-teenage marriage champion, there was... a way to please everyone involved, so to speak. I can relate to that as a Javanese myself, and it can be infuriating that I have to share my interest with others, lol.
Alright, here is some info about the book and the author (after doing some research in the internet): this fiction work was intended to adress some misconception about Javaneses in Singapore. According to the author--who is a Javanese-descend Singaporean, Singaporeans have a kind of cynicism toward Javanese' characters. They look down on Javaneses who are regarded as shy and less forthcoming. Anwar wants to give her perspective that there are more behind Javaneses' shyness, such as grace, poise, and compassion. She also has a purpose to encourage shy English learners--particularly Javaneses, I think--to practice and refine their English competency by "learning to use English idioms, phrasal verbs and proverbs the natural way". And yes, the quoted sentence was printed on the backside of the book.
Source: [1] [2]
Now let's get into the book contents. The story is about a teenage Javanese girl named Dewi, who was romantically involved with a grown-up, big-city musician named Arjun. They met first time at a music store when Dewi was looking for an old song. Knowing that she was into oldies, Arjun tricked her to follow him and spent the rest of the day by talking and bantering. They were bonding over mutual interests: old musics, English lit, and Javanese cultures. When Arjun had to go back working in Tokyo, they committed a long distance relationship and continued their conversations on the phone. The attraction was mutual, but they both couldn't bring themselves to declare their true feelings to each other. Then a conflict happened: Arjun took a liberty to talk about Javaneses' negative characters and Dewi--being a teenager and a proud Javanese lady--took it personally. This caused a rift between them and made Arjun did a bold move: asking Dewi's parents for her to marry him.
I don't think this book belongs to teen fiction category, because (a) while Dewi was a teenage protagonist, she was romantically involved with a guy who 12 years older than her; (b) Arjun, being a red-blooded 29 y.o. guy, was depicted as undisguised with his sexual desires, proved by many sexual innuendos he delivered to Dewi; and (c) there was a topic about early marriage that couldn't be taken at face value by teenage readers.
That being said, this book is a breath of fresh air among pop, young-adult fiction works in Indonesia. I enjoyed how the conversations naturally unfolded and created the bonds between the characters. Like, I've read many fiction narratives that said the characters enjoy their conversation but didn't tell me what they were talking about or what they were feeling as the convos went. The characters also talked about many things, so I got some insights about how old Javaneses loved to make analogy with wayang folklore about many things, sexual and gender relationships, generation-based opinions, and family aspirations.
I also think it's a smart choice of the author to portray the female protagonist as a bright, old-soul yet shy teenager than a real adult woman. A Javanese adult woman, by the public standard, is already a woman who can handle sexual innuendos and discuss sex topics properly. Although Dewi was raised by educated and open-minded parents, being a granddaughter of a respected dalang, and surrounded by educated, adoptive western uncles and aunties--who had turned her into a smarty pants that charmed everyone--she remained innocent and inexperienced. Her inexperience caused her hesitation to step into uncharted territories with Arjun, which was the main obstacle in the story. And this conflict was heightened by Arjun's desire to marry her quickly. Being a grown-up man who had lived the Singaporean way of kiasu, he was afraid of missing an opportunity to live with his dream girl. He was depicted being suspicious of his "love competitors", even to Dewi's adoptive uncles.
And yeah, if we talked about real world early marriages, many educated people would be against it no matter of the offered benefits. Dewi would be judged as psychologically immature to bear such a big responsibility. She was a smarty pants, not a wise person nor an intellectual in my book.
I can say that the conflict was resolved in a typical Javanese win-win solution. Although Dewi's mother and Arjun's aunt were anti-teenage marriage champion, there was... a way to please everyone involved, so to speak. I can relate to that as a Javanese myself, and it can be infuriating that I have to share my interest with others, lol.
December 18, 2019
Reading author JORIAH ANWAR’s “A Cup of Java” is like going on a memorable journey through beautiful Tanah Jawa with its rich traditions and culture, where its people speak numerous dialects. It’s just unique and delightful.
Reading “A Cup of Java” is also like sipping a cup of Kopi Jawa Tulen while reminiscing old memories of my Javanese roots and ancestors as Joriah and I have Javanese blood running through our veins.
Through “A Cup of Java”, Joriah is asking us to visualise the intriguing sounds of the gamelan, the mystical opera of wayang ketoprak, the melancholic rhythm of keroncong and even the melodious love song “Alon Alon Nganjuk” in an upbeat tempo of dangdut.
In highlighting the main storyline, Joriah interlaced the story flow with proverbs, phrasal verbs and idioms of the English language and its intricacies with the subtle objective of helping English learners to speak eloquently and effectively.
The main theme of “A Cup of Java” is about the secret love affair of timid damsel Dewi and sophisticated but witty Arjun. Initially their relationship was not running smoothly as Dewi is inhibited by shyness and feeling inferior to Arjun’s strong and forceful nature.
But Dewi’s mother Sulastri sees Arjun as a good natured and responsible person that can be a near-perfect son in law. She does not want Dewi to be a dream chaser and endure the pain of heartache and lost love.
Eventually Dewi adheres to her mother’s advice and succumbs to Arjun’s charm. The lovey-dovey couple then decides to tie the knot in the name of love and togetherness and pledge to remain true to each other ‘til death do us part’.
If ever two were one, then surely we,
If ever man were lov’d by wife, then thee.
Thy love is such I can no way repay,
The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray.
Then while we live in love, let’s so persever,
That when we live no more, we may live ever.
- Anne Bradstreet
MD FUAD SALIM
Malaysia
22 October 2019
Reading “A Cup of Java” is also like sipping a cup of Kopi Jawa Tulen while reminiscing old memories of my Javanese roots and ancestors as Joriah and I have Javanese blood running through our veins.
Through “A Cup of Java”, Joriah is asking us to visualise the intriguing sounds of the gamelan, the mystical opera of wayang ketoprak, the melancholic rhythm of keroncong and even the melodious love song “Alon Alon Nganjuk” in an upbeat tempo of dangdut.
In highlighting the main storyline, Joriah interlaced the story flow with proverbs, phrasal verbs and idioms of the English language and its intricacies with the subtle objective of helping English learners to speak eloquently and effectively.
The main theme of “A Cup of Java” is about the secret love affair of timid damsel Dewi and sophisticated but witty Arjun. Initially their relationship was not running smoothly as Dewi is inhibited by shyness and feeling inferior to Arjun’s strong and forceful nature.
But Dewi’s mother Sulastri sees Arjun as a good natured and responsible person that can be a near-perfect son in law. She does not want Dewi to be a dream chaser and endure the pain of heartache and lost love.
Eventually Dewi adheres to her mother’s advice and succumbs to Arjun’s charm. The lovey-dovey couple then decides to tie the knot in the name of love and togetherness and pledge to remain true to each other ‘til death do us part’.
If ever two were one, then surely we,
If ever man were lov’d by wife, then thee.
Thy love is such I can no way repay,
The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray.
Then while we live in love, let’s so persever,
That when we live no more, we may live ever.
- Anne Bradstreet
MD FUAD SALIM
Malaysia
22 October 2019
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