The novel Sang Raja was written by Iksaka Banu. This novel shows the struggles of people who worked in Bal Tiga kretek cigarette factory in Kudus in the early 1900s, during the Dutch colonial era. The problem in this research is how the efforts of the people who worked in Bal Tiga kretek cigarette … [Read more...]
Kalis Mardiasih’s bold, moderate Islamic interpretation of ‘hijrah’
January 5, 2021 by
Born and raised as a Muslim in Indonesia, I can’t help but notice the increasing popularity of the hijrah (migration) movement, especially among the young generation of Muslims in Indonesia. The transformation of young people from cultural Muslims into more devout ones has become more visible in … [Read more...]
Riot Roundup: The Best Books We Read October-December 2020
January 5, 2021 by
We asked our contributors to share the best book they read from October through December when we played end-the-year-reading-it-all! So our gift to you is a fantastic list to murder your TBR. There is something for every reader here, including true crime memoir, poetry, hilarious murder with … [Read more...]
A lauded Indonesian writer’s English debut and 4 more fresh horror books perfect for Halloween
January 3, 2021 by
Admit it: Like frequently reanimated corpses, the horror genre can get fragrant from time to time. Stories are recycled endlessly with familiar creatures put to work chasing familiar victims in familiar settings that can be swept together in just a few thematic categories. As we approach … [Read more...]
Sepasang Sepatu Tua: Sepilihan Cerpen
January 2, 2021 by
Sapardi Djoko Damono’s Sepasang Sepatu Tua might have just been released last year, but the contents are surprisingly not new. Most of them are recognizably included in the short story collection Pada Suatu Hari, Malam Wabah; so Mr. Sapardi’s readers might get the feeling of reading the “same” book … [Read more...]