Fiction & Essays

A room of one’s own

Mobile libraries and writers clubs reveal a rich reading and writing culture among Indonesian migrant workers in Hong Kong

A feminist trajectory of literary influences

A writer pays homage to the women writers and intellectuals who paved the way for others

Review: Man Tiger strikes!

Longlisted for the prestigious Man Booker International Prize Eka Kurniawan’s novel signals the birth of a sophisticated crime noir genre in Indonesian literature

Introduction to Man Tiger: A Novel by Eka Kurniawan

Indonesia, beginning of the 1980s. The young journalist Tommy comes into contact with the survivors of the genocide that the New Order regime of General Suharto carried out. To her bewilderment she hears stories about lurid dancing, castrations and the murder by young girls of a number of generals in the night of October 1 1965. Guided by Ibu Sri, herself a former prisoner and a member of the women’s organisation that was held responsible for these alleged sexual and sadistic perversions she sets herself the task to unravel these fantasies. Who invented these hateful lies which were meant to incite mass organizations to murder possibly one million of their neighbors? Tommy is betrayed and thrown into prison.

Freedom

Putu Wijaya. Image courtesy of Lontar Publishing

Arguably Indonesia's finest living writer of fiction, Putu Wijaya reflects on Indonesia's nationhood in his short story, 'Freedom'.

What are your true colours?: A conversation

A brief conversation between strangers provokes thoughts on Australia–Indonesia relations Essays and Fiction is a new series of writing in Inside Indonesia that aims to give voice to more personal stories about Indonesia. We welcome submissions in the form of reflective pieces, fiction, artwork, or essays about travel and fieldwork experiences.

The Longan Tree

Hannah Rambe's The Longan Tree tells a story of modernisation, progress and loss in Indonesia

Putu gives God a hand

Recipient of the 2014 Khatulistiwa prize for poetry, Oka Rusmini's award-winning short story 'Putu Gives God a Hand' is a sharply witty critique of Balinese culture

Bui Ihi—The Cooling of the Harvest

Young emerging Indonesian poet

Chinese whispers: The art of reflection

Essays and Fiction is a new series of writing in Inside Indonesia that aims to give voice to more personal stories about Indonesia. We welcome submissions in the form of reflective pieces, fiction, artwork, or essays about travel and fieldwork experiences.

Halimah

A life in exile

Morphology of desire

We are very pleased to present the first offering in our new series celebrating Indonesian literature, launched in partnership with the Lontar Modern Indonesia Library. In 2015, Indonesia will be the 'Guest of Honour' at the Frankfurt International Book Fair. Inside Indonesia joins in this festival of modern Indonesian literature, offering examples of writing from the finest established authors to new and emerging talent. Selamat membaca!

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Lontar Modern Indonesia

A selection of stories from the Indonesian classics and modern writers, periodically published free for Inside Indonesia readers, courtesy of Lontar.

Fiction & Essays

A room of one’s own

A feminist trajectory of literary influences

Review: Man Tiger strikes!

Introduction to Man Tiger: A Novel by Eka Kurniawan

I am Suciwati

The Crocodile Hole

Freedom

What are your true colours?: A conversation

The Longan Tree

Putu gives God a hand

Bui Ihi—The Cooling of the Harvest

Chinese whispers: The art of reflection

Halimah

Morphology of desire

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