With a series of books and award-winning films behind him, Noor Huda Ismail is a respected academic in the study of terrorism in Indonesia. He also founded the Yayasan Prasasti Perdamaian, a foundation dedicated to the deradicalization of former terrorists through livelihood support, coaching and … [Read more...]
Review
Indonesian novel 24 Hours With Gaspar melds detective fiction and sci-fi
August 26, 2023
A blend of detective fiction and science fiction, 24 Hours With Gaspar reads like an Indonesian pulp fiction novel. The bulk of Indonesian writer Sabda Armandio’s slim novel follows the indecipherable and aloof Gaspar as he counts down 24 hours before he robs a jewellery store. He is looking, in … [Read more...]
June Reviews
August 26, 2023
In this welcome sequel to The Adventures of Na Willa, Indonesian author Reda Gaudiamo takes us back to vibrant Surabaya. Fans of Little Nicholas and Akissi will enjoy exploring the world through little Na Willa’s eyes in the 49 short chapters that invite readers into Na Willa’s daily life. We see … [Read more...]
‘Indonesia Out of Exile’ shines light on literary masterpiece
July 16, 2023
Imagine being a young Australian Embassy official having your first look at hundreds of rough, tattered pages smuggled out of a remote island prison camp and quickly recognizing it as one of the literary masterpieces of the 20th century -- a seminal work of historical fiction and postcolonial … [Read more...]
Author highlights Asian slavery at Cape of Good Hope
July 11, 2023
Isna Marifa's novel tells powerful, painful story through rare insights into everyday events In the 17th and 18th centuries, thousands of people from what is now Indonesia and Malaysia were taken as slaves to the Cape of Good Hope in southern Africa. Descendants of this population, who mixed with … [Read more...]