Outdated Browser

For the best experience using our website, we recommend upgrading your browser to a newer version or switching to a supported browser.

More Information

Indonesia

Person in front of a blue city

Photo by Jr Korpa on Unsplash

The March 4th Incident

By Sabda Armandio

In this excerpt of Sabda Armandio’s futuristic crime novel 24 Hours with Gaspar, a writer begins investigating a mysterious criminal named Gaspar.

Translated from Indonesian by Lara Norgaard

A dark kitchen table and chairs seen through a doorway with a single light above them

Photo by Ehud Neuhaus on Unsplash

Anna and Her Daughter’s Partner

By Laksmi Pamuntjak

A neglected wife and mother has an unexpected reaction to her daughter’s partner in this story by Indonesian writer Laksmi Pamuntjak.

Translated from Indonesian by Annie Tucker

MultimediaMultilingual

The covers of the books featured in the list

The Best Books of 2022—And What We’re Looking Forward to in 2023

By Words Without Borders

Our staff, contributors, and board members share their favorite translated books of the year and the titles they’re looking forward to in 2023.

The book covers of At the Edge of the Woods, When Women Kill, People from Bloomington, Let Us Believe...

The Watchlist: April 2022

By Tobias Carroll

Tobias Carroll recommends noteworthy new books translated from Ukrainian, Indonesian, Persian, Japanese, and Spanish.

Interiors and Interpretations: New Writing from Indonesia

By Susan Harris

The authors here represent a range of genres and topics in settings extending from distant planets to the very center of the earth.

Geology

By Nirwan Dewanto

When I realize that I am only writing in a national language, it is precisely geography that adds to its meaning.

Translated from Indonesian by George A. Fowler

The Biography of a Newborn Baby

By Raudal Tanjung Banua

But what did a baby have to show for its life?

Translated from Indonesian by Harry Aveling

The Prayer of the Flame that Sparked the Forest Fire

By M Aan Mansyur

Tell the sad stories to the sky.

Translated from Indonesian by John H. McGlynn

Multilingual

Myth and History: Writing from Indonesia

By John H. McGlynn

In October of this year, Indonesia will make its appearance as the guest of honor at the Frankfurt Book Fair—the first country from Southeast Asia to be so honored.

The Wild Cherry Tree

By Linda Christanty

When I was still in primary school, most of my time was spent up in that wild cherry tree.

Translated from Indonesian by Debra Yatim

Story

Poetry is a pen that is dreaming.

Translated from Indonesian by Marjie Suanda

The Crow

But what caught most of his attention was the man’s wings.

Translated from Indonesian by Marjie Suanda

writing you

By Taufik Ikram Jamil

. . . the letters are reluctant to sound out / voices i knew / voices i memorized

Translated from Indonesian by John H. McGlynn

The Moon and the Magician in the Red Jacket

How could anyone survive on a primary teacher’s pension?

Translated from Indonesian by Pamela Allen

A Tale of Redemption

By Mona Sylviana

So you're hiding a communist, are you?

Translated from Indonesian by Toni Pollard

All for Hindia

By M. Iksaka Banu

I will find a way to get this letter safely to your hands, although it may take a long time.

Translated from Indonesian by Tjandra Kerton

When

By Acep Zamzam Noor

I heard the singing and dancing / In the village square / Suddenly fall silent.

Translated from Indonesian by John H. McGlynn

Gendhis

By Abidah El Khalieqy

“True. I am a whore. What of it?”

Translated from Indonesian by Joan Suyenaga

Multilingual

Fragile States: Artwork from freeDimensional

By freeDimensional

A visual exploration of the physical and psychological experiences of persecution and forced displacement.

Multimedia