Home | Writers | Headlines | Writer Spotlights | Contributing Authors

If you are a writer yourself, join our growing literary network. Be seen. Be read. Get listed today!
A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z

Bilangan Fu

Book / Novel


Bilangan Fu

by Ayu Utami

Format: Paperback, Indonesian
548 page(s)
ISBN/ISBN13: /9789799101228
Published Jun 01, 2008 by Kepustakaan Populer Gramedia (KPG)

View on Goodreads | Google Books



Two rock climbers and their girlfriend were involved in a soft erotic triangle affair. They were climbing the limestone cliffs not far from Sewugunung village on the south coast of Java, when one peculiar death occured in the village, followed by the disappearance of the remains buried. The locals believed that the dead had supernatural powers, but one religious group condemned him as a devil-worshiper whose body was rejected by the earth. A stone mining company, wanting to exploit the limestone hills, exacerbated the conflict. The three protagonists—Parang Jati, Sandi Yuda, and Marja—were caught in the conflict.

Critical spiritualism is first mentioned here. Its linguistic inspiration is explained in the end notes. In the story, Parang Jati proclaims his new way of belief, placing him at odds with his rival, a young religious leader who has just come back from abroad.

The Number Fu was written two years after the Bali bombings. Violence in the name of Islam was increasing. The Number Fu tries not to search the root of violence within that religion, but within all forms of dogmatism, in religions and the secular views.

The Number Fu won the Khatulistiwa Literary Award 2008. In the same year I received an award from the South East Asian Literature Council (Mastera).

The Number Fu has been published in Dutch.1


  1. Ayu Utami’s Indonesia & World 


As seen as


The book has many references to biblical passages, that give it a more or less religious flavour
Karel Steenbrink  in Bilangan Fu by Ayu Utami (Relindonesia, Aug 09, 2012)
Bybyq  in Bilangan Fu (Personal Blog, Apr 23, 2011)


*) An affiliate link. If you buy the book through this link, we may earn a small commission.

At a Glance

As of now, our resource library is a powerhouse: 623 writers, 857 books from 271 publishers, 803 contributing authors, and a total of 1187 pieces— 403 news coverages, 233 clippings, and 551 book reviews. We've sourced from 373 distinct outlets to enrich our content. Add 81 translated works and 58 standout resources, and you’ve got a snapshot of our dedication to cultivating a vibrant literary landscape.

About Us

Ready to explore our writer's directory? It’s not just a cool space for writers to connect—it's the ultimate toolkit for event hosts, lit organizers, librarians, book nerds, and anyone curious about Indonesian writers. Think of it as the cozy home for Indonesian writers, breaking language barriers and opening up our literary scene to the world. Read more!

Got questions, comments, or contributions? Reach out via email, or say hi on X, Facebook, Instagram, or through our contact form.

You cannot copy content of this page