[Book Review] Membunuh Cupid by Desi Puspitasari


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Title: Membunuh Cupid (Killing Cupid) | Author: Desi Puspitasari | Publisher: Falcon Publishing | Book Thickness: 248 pages | Year of Publication: First edition, February 2017 | ISBN: 978-602-60514-4-8

Living a happy life with a true partner may be the dream of many people, but not for Agno. The girl chooses to avoid romantic dramas in her life. She wouldn't even believe that Cupid - the one they say can make two people fall in love - actually exists in the real world. She even curses that being a Cupid, the angel of love, is just a worthless job. Agno feels that love only makes everyone troubled.

For Agno, who has previously had a broken heart, love is just a feeling that slowly hurts people. There are many victims of violence when someone starts to love someone else. Even those bound by marriage cannot avoid violence and judgment towards each other. One of them is, of course, her own parents. She lives in the shadow of hatred for a father who once hurt her mother. Therefore, until now, Agno chooses to be alone and avoids any kind of romantic attachment that she thinks could lead her into the same pit as her mother.

Agno, who works as a florist in a renowned hotel, is, of course, constantly encountering various prospective brides and grooms who request flower arrangements for their wedding parties. Often, she pretends to be happy in front of her clients, even though she truly hates such moments.

"I prefer to be a single flower. Being a blooming flower on my own is much more beautiful than being a clustered flower. A single flower gives an impression of luxury and elegance compared to being combined with other flowers in a bouquet." - page 54.

While enjoying her life, Agno was confronted by Cupid, the angel of love. As someone who didn't believe in love, Agno naturally didn't believe in Cupid's presence either. However, her days are now followed by Cupid who will make her fall in love and marry a man. That's a nightmare for Agno, and she is determined to kill Cupid so that her life can return to peaceful without the need for love affairs.

"Love grows because of rational reasons. Agreement and commitment. If there are problems in the future, it's the humans that are at fault, not the matter of love." - page 86.

Well, reading the book "Membunuh Cupid" is truly refreshing. Agno's struggle, not believing in Cupid while secretly longing to be loved, creates an engaging conflict to follow. It feels like not everyone wants to spend their life alone, especially without love. If one feels capable of doing everything on their own, there is surely a touch of loneliness deep in their heart. Whether it's due to the absence of family or a partner.

The character of Cupid in this book is portrayed beautifully. Yes, Cupid is a man. As we know, Cupid is usually depicted as a chubby, chubby child. But in this book, he has a handsome and athletic face. So, maybe he's like a modern angel. Honestly, I can't imagine it because Cupid also has super large wings. I'm thinking of an angel like in Axe commercials, but in male version.

The way to "kill" Cupid in the book is not through bloody scenes, but rather something unconventional. Well, considering this is a story about someone who doesn't believe in love and a love angel, I'm fine with that. The ending is also quite amusing and slightly lacking in excitement, but it can be understood with my background of sometimes watching cheesy romance movies like FTV.

So, this book can be a light read without high expectations.


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Afrianti Pratiwi

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