Home | Headlines | Writers Directory | Books | Contributing Authors
If you are a writer yourself, join our growing literary network. Be seen. Be read. Get listed today!

    Twilight in Djakarta

    Book / Novel


    Twilight in Djakarta

    by Mochtar Lubis
    Translated by Claire Holt

    Format: Paperback, English
    232 page(s)
    ISBN/ISBN13: /9789814260657
    Published by Hutchinson

    View on Goodreads | Google Books






    Written in the early 1960s while the author was under arrest by Indonesian authorities, this vivid dissection of social and political life in Jakarta, Indonesia reveals the dark currents of poverty, corruption and vice which course beneath the surface of one of the great cities of the Third World. The tale that unfolds has universal application as it describes the the forces that determine the lives of the rich and poor, politicians and criminals, intellectuals and simple rural immigrants alike as they struggle for survival. Twilight in Jakarta was the first Indonesian novel to be translated into English, by Claire Holt, and Lubis remains one of the country’s most well-known writers.


    As seen as


    Though relatively short in length, Twilight in Djakarta has done an outstanding job of touching on subjects that many choose not to discuss for fear of state-sponsored persecution.
    Gaby Rusli  in Twilight in Djakarta (1963) by Mochtar Lubis, an Indonesian’s Letter to His Failing Country (Asia Media, Mar 04, 2022)
    An obvious metaphor can be found in the title itself, which imparts a slightly ominous, if nostalgic feel. “Twilight” connotes an ending, an unraveling which alludes to both the culminating events that brought down the Old Order but also to the physical existence of a number of key characters as they meet their sad and unfortunate fates, often violently.
    Bill Dalton  in Twilight in Jakarta by Mochtar Lubis (Bali Advertiser, Jul 01, 2014)


    Latest News

    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.

    Sign up for Our Monthly Digest and get the best of latest update special for you.


    HOME FOR INDONESIAN WRITERS | Break down the language barriers that have prevented Indonesian literature from becoming more widespread.

    Brought to life by Valent Mustamin
    © 2014-2025 . IDWRITERS . All Rights Reserved

    You cannot copy content of this page