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BookWorm: Anton Kurnia: ‘Fighting’ over books
Courtesy of Anton KurniaSince he runs Baca publishing company, reading may be part of the job for Anton Kurnia, but personally, he said, it was more than just that
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Courtesy of Anton Kurnia
Since he runs Baca publishing company, reading may be part of the job for Anton Kurnia, but personally, he said, it was more than just that.
The man, who prefers to be called a book activist, said he feels lucky being raised in a family that loves reading. His mother, he said, used to read him stories before his naps and he could read from the age of four.
“When I was little, the main reason that triggered fights between me and my brother was who was first to read a book or magazine,” said the ninth child of 10 siblings.
“Come to think of it now, it’s funny, really. Now, one of my brothers also works in publishing, although we both have backgrounds in engineering,” added the man who studied at the Bandung Institute of Technology.
Apart from his regular job, Anton, who takes care of the literary translation funding program under the National Book Committee, also writes short stories and essays.
Currently, he is working to finish his second short story collection. His first, Insomnia, which has been translated into English with the title A Cat on the Moon and Other Stories, has attracted a New Zealand publisher.
Despite his busy activities, Anton takes time to read at least several pages every day, mostly in the evening.
He also has digital books, but prefers to read real books, collecting some 4,000 kept at his home in the Bintaro area on the outskirts of Jakarta. “I prefer to read real books, though, it’s much more intimate,” he said.
He also carries books around in his backpack when traveling, something he refers as a habit that makes him happy but also causes him trouble — especially on his way home.
“On my return trip from the Frankfurt Book Fair recently, I had to buy more luggage to carry the books that I bought in Frankfurt, and later in Paris and Prague [he visited on his way back]. I can’t resist a great book. Although I try my best to hold back, I still can’t,” he said.
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‘Love in the Time of Cholera’
by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
For me, this novel is the most incredible love story, with the protagonists living separately for dozens of years because the woman is married to another man. The man loyally waits for her. They eventually meet again and still love each other despite their old age. The original edition is in Spanish, but I read the English translation.
‘Bumi Manusia’
by Pramoedya Ananta Toer
This book is one of Indonesia’s best novels from our renowned writer. This novel opened my eyes to the history of Indonesia’s political movement. The characters’ intricate love story is touching as well. I read it quietly during my college years since, during the New Order era, the book was banned and I could have been arrested for having it.
‘La Divina Commedia’
by Dante Alighieri
This book, for me, has beautiful poetry from the 17th century. It comprises three parts: the inferno, purgatory and paradise. It was originally in Italian. I read the English translation during my college years. In this legendary piece, Dante transforms his childhood love into his platonic girlfriend, Beatrice Portinary, with magnificent creative energy. I have several editions of this book and, for me, this book is really personal.
