Sabah Carrim
2015
108 Publishing
pp. 293
Semi-Apes is a first person autobiographical description of the growing up experiences of a practicing psychologist, Heera. In her account of her troubled childhood and her subsequent choice of Psychology as a subject of study, Carrim highlights the significant influence of Heera’s childhood experiences on her later life. The book presents narratives that point out how past events can come back to haunt us in later life and are often the seed of many psychological disorders.
Carrim’s story also points out the hypocrisy that is often evident in conservative households. The need to keep family secrets hidden sometimes cause damage rather than maintaining family honour. Set in Malaysia, and later in London, it brings to forth the experiences of a ghettoised life that is characteristic of many South Asian countries. The struggles of a Muslim woman to break free from shackles of a life bound by social rules and restrictions have been brought forth through frequent arguments with parents. In societies that place taboos on anything that is personal: bodily changes, sexuality, and emotional expression; psychiatric problems are often unaddressed. The ostracisation attached to seeking help, from the legal system in cases of crime, and from doctors in the cases of psychological trouble, has detrimental effects on individuals as well as families, changes interpersonal interaction patterns, and thus, relationships that are marked by stifled feelings, unexpressed thoughts, pent up anger. All of this has been beautifully captured by Carrim through the lives of Heera and Alif.
The story also brings forth the experiences of a practicing Psychologist. The dilemmas of presenting a somewhat dishonest front of a ‘sorted’, healthy person, to the patient; the debates between directive and non directive counselling, and the effects of prescribed psychiatric medicines, have been candidly put forth.
Semi-Apes was a gripping narrative. A poignant read that is sensitive and distant at the same time. It may leave you a bit disturbed and is thus not for the faint hearted.
Some quotes:
http://kitaabonmeinhulchal.blogspot.in/2016/01/semi-apes-carrim-sabah.html
Every book has a Story:
This book was a random, impulsive pick from my research supervisor and teacher, Namita Ma’m’s personal library. Over the years, I have often raided Ma’m’s almirah for numerous books. She has always been kind enough to lend. Her collection is filled with treasures! This is one of them.