Hey there. Careful now. Don’t buy the hype that says living abroad means having a better life. Contrary to popular belief, changing your zip code is not going to heal our deep disappointment toward the country. Nor is it a feasible option that the majority of Indonesians can afford. Nevertheless, it … [Read more...]
Essay
Rewriting The Nation: How Literature Challenges Biased Histories and Reviews Indonesia’s Silenced Voice
November 14, 2025 by
Indonesia’s history education has often been shaped by nationalist narratives, which can obscure the complexities and contradictions of the past. History reflects a nation’s identity, but it is often fractured and reshaped by the “victors” of each era, presenting a distorted portrayal and … [Read more...]
Re-Reading WS Rendra’s ‘Perjuangan Suku Naga’ (The Struggle Of The Naga Tribe)
February 21, 2024 by
A retrospective essay on Indonesia’s greatest poet and playwright during the time of President Suharto. “You got to have patience. Why Tom, us people will go on livin’ when all them people is gone ….. Rich fellas come up an’ they die, an’ their kids ain’t no good an’ they die out. But we keep … [Read more...]
The Literary Canon Today, Part 3: The State Of Publishing Canonical Literature
October 3, 2023 by
Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial. – Cassio (Othello, Act 2, Scene 3) So far, my focus in this series of essays (see part 1 here and part 2 here) has been how we write and talk about the … [Read more...]
