This is an excellent 250 odd page collection of short stories of a supposedly fictitious retired civil servant, Dato Abdul Hamid bin Dato Sidek, who was in thick of things during the decision making moments of our young nation. Being educated in MCKK, he seem to see his contemporaries wherever he goes. He has a good time enjoying life in civil service, working 'very hard' to get things in order for the country. He mixes very well with all strata of population - locals and foreigners, with the confidence given by the language and education laid by his colonial masters. He embraces other cultures with respect and confidence. This trait is somehow lost in his son whom he affectionately refers to as 'Ayatollah' and is an UMNO member. His grandson, a resident of LA, has the same wavelength as him - outgoing and modern. As you can vaguely make out, this book is a satire of sorts, with a tinge of comedy on the Malay psyche and an occasional tongue in cheek joke (like the ...
