Is Loneliness Always Painful? Find the Answer in “Alone”

The novel “Sendiri”, by Tere Liye, published in 2024, presents a gentle and meaningful and emotional story about loneliness and loss. Through the main character named Bambang, an elderly man who is still haunted because he has just lost his much-loved wife, Susi. The reader is taken into the inner space of a man who is still learning to make peace with his bitter past. Bambang is also described as living his days in increasing silence, not because there are no people around him, but because the space in his heart is no longer as full as before. He then became obsessed with finding a way back to the past, even thinking of the idea of ​​a time machine as if it was the only way he could reconnect his life, which was broken by the loss of his wife.

The story presented by Tere Liye does not only talk about technology and fantasy, but also about how someone interprets loss, weighs old decisions, and tries to understand the reasons why life cannot return to the way it was before. This novel progresses with a very calm rhythm, full of deep reflection, and occasionally feels like an invitation to stop for a moment and reflect on the wounds that have been deliberately hidden. The use of characters and animals such as cats, birds, turtles and others gives a symbolic color that enriches the meaning of the story. They are present not just as narrative decoration, but as a mirror for Bambang’s torn inner state, as well as a reminder to himself that life always has a unique and mysterious way of showing him the way home.

However, it does not escape small notes. The plot tends to be slow so that for some readers it may feel monotonous. Some reflective parts are also repetitive. Makes readers who prefer fast dynamics feel like the story is moving in place. The fantasy element of time travel can feel too far from reality for those who want the story to be completely grounded. However, despite these weaknesses, this novel still stands out for its emotional strength. Tere Liye succeeded in turning loneliness into a space for growth, making loss a door to understanding oneself, and showing that loneliness is not always synonymous with destruction, sometimes it can actually be a place for someone to find new meaning in their life.

This novel is very suitable to be read by those who are in a phase of self-discovery, are grieving, or are learning to let go of something they once loved so much. “Alone” provides space for readers to experience the process of accepting reality, without forcing instant healing. At the end of the story, readers are invited to understand that solitude is not a punishment, but rather a form of man’s long journey to rediscover himself. This novel may not just be a light read, but it offers a deep and touching experience, a kind of gentle embrace for people who are trying to make peace with the silence in their lives.

Book Identity

Tebuireng Magazine

Title: Alone

Author: For you

Publisher: Sabak Grip Nusantara

Year of publication: September 28, 2024

Number of pages: 318 pp

ISBN: 9786238882281

Reviewer: Wan Nurlaila Putri