The author behind Netflix’s Cigarette Girl explores the universal struggle for power through the world of ants PENGUIN Random House Southeast Asia today announces the publication of Colony by award-winning Indonesian author Ratih Kumala, whose acclaimed novel Gadis Kretek (Cigarette Girl) was … [Read more...]
A New Generation of Chefs Reimagines Indonesian Cuisine in the Netherlands to Tell the Stories of Its Origins
August 1, 2026 by
The shift reflects a larger cultural moment, with chefs asking whether the cuisine should remain tied to colonial nostalgia or evolve into a reflection of modern Indonesian identity. In the Dutch town of Oegstgeest just outside Leiden, soft lighting glows against warm wood and avocado green walls … [Read more...]
The Watchlist: July 2026
August 1, 2026 by
Looking for summer reads? Tobias Carroll recommends six new titles in translation, including novels, poetry, and a short story collection. What the publisher says: “In Bloomington, Indiana, Fanton Drummond’s life changes when he encounters Olenka Danton in an elevator. Infatuated at first sight, … [Read more...]
Talking Indonesia: independent publishing and the making of alternative publics
July 31, 2026 by
Independent publishing might seem like a small element of Indonesia’s cultural landscape: limited print runs, niche books, and audiences that rarely extend into the mainstream. Yet these spaces can matter precisely because they make room for voices, ideas, and forms of cultural expression that have … [Read more...]
80 Classics For 80 Years
July 26, 2026 by
In a world of choices, there’s only one real Classic. To celebrate the 80th anniversary of Penguin Classics, our editors recommend eighty titles from our catalog of more than 2,000 books, from cornerstone classics and award-winning translations to new favorites. … [Read more...]
