Kiat Sukses Hancur Lebur

“Do you believe me if I say it’s four o’clock in the afternoon in the sun?”

In 2019, a critic named Andi Lukito received the manuscript of “Kiat Sukses Hancur Lebur” (Success Tips Shattered). Such a novel-like manuscript is the work of Anto Labil S.Fil, one of the members of the “seven beggar warriors,” a radical literary alliance active in the 90s in the city of Semarang.

The manuscript, written in the style of a nearly fainting drunkard, made Andi feel like he never drank enough acidic substance while editing it. With overflowing sympathy towards its readers, Anto Labil discusses various matters: what business is, the usefulness of business management, the basics of front guard accounting, ten-finger computer programming, the framework of the CPNS entrance exam, the ethics of life (and proper suicide) in an apartment, and much more. In one part, Anto tells how the sight of catfish – the best friend of contemplative souls – in Sendangmulyo inspired the creation of the legendary song “Perdamaian” (Peace) by the Nasida Ria Safari qasidah group.

This debut novel by Martin Suryajaya will make you feel as though your entire life before holding this book was merely well-behaved.