Fiction & Essays

Pat Walsh's book of short stories and poems takes us through a year of intimate encounters with Jakarta

Lontar Modern Indonesia Fiction Series

Lontar Modern Indonesian Fiction Series

Poems across the Indonesian-Australian divide

Mobile libraries and writers clubs reveal a rich reading and writing culture among Indonesian migrant workers in Hong Kong

A writer pays homage to the women writers and intellectuals who paved the way for others

Longlisted for the prestigious Man Booker International Prize Eka Kurniawan’s novel signals the birth of a sophisticated crime noir genre in Indonesian literature

A monologue

An extract from Chapter One of the The Crocodile Hole

Arguably Indonesia's finest living writer of fiction, Putu Wijaya reflects on Indonesia's nationhood in his short story, 'Freedom'.

A brief conversation between strangers provokes thoughts on Australia–Indonesia relations

Hannah Rambe's The Longan Tree tells a story of modernisation, progress and loss in Indonesia

Recipient of the 2014 Khatulistiwa prize for poetry, Oka Rusmini's award-winning short story 'Putu Gives God a Hand' is a sharply witty critique of Balinese culture

Young emerging Indonesian poet

Essays and Fiction is a new series of writing in Inside Indonesia that aims to give voice to more personal stories about Indonesia. We welcome submissions in the form of reflective pieces, fiction, artwork, or essays about travel and fieldwork experiences.

A life in exile

We are very pleased to present the first offering in our new series celebrating Indonesian literature, launched in partnership with the Lontar Modern Indonesia Library. In 2015, Indonesia will be the 'Guest of Honour' at the Frankfurt International Book Fair. Inside Indonesia joins in this festival of modern Indonesian literature, offering examples of writing from the finest established authors to new and emerging talent. Selamat membaca!