Reading List
Dee Lestari
Indonesian Novelist, Singer and Songwriter
Dee Lestari (Dewi Lestari Simangunsong) is an Indonesian writer, singer and songwriter, born in Bandung, West Java, in 1976. In 1993 she formed the vocal group Rida Sita Dewi, and she later recorded solo albums. Her debut novel, Supernova: The Knight, the Princess, and the Falling Star, was self-published in 2001 and began a series. Her other works include Perahu Kertas (Paper Boats), Filosofi Kopi, Madre and Rectoverso. She says Indonesian publishing has improved a great deal since 2001. Her picks here are three works of Indonesian literature: Ayu Utami’s Saman, Eka Kurniawan’s Man Tiger and Dorothea Rosa Herliany’s poems Kill the Radio.
Kill the Radio
by Dorothea Rosa Herliany · 2007 · Poetry
“Instead of merely translating, Harry was giving another breath into Dorothea’s poems. And I enjoy the result.” — via Interview, April 2019
Saman
by Ayu Utami · 2005 · Fiction
“The story broke many barriers of various taboos and sensitive topics, including the rise of women authors. To me, Saman was a mark of a new era in literature.” — via Interview, April 2019
Man Tiger
by Eka Kurniawan · 2015 · Fiction
“Eka’s writing has a distinct, masculine voice. I admire his seriousness in crafting his story.” — via Interview, April 2019
