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We called her 'Mamak': Remembering Indonesia’s hiking mother

Read on The Weekender

Across borders: Businesswoman Tari Lang, born to an Indonesian father and a British mother, recounts her experiences during the 1965 upheaval in Indonesia in her memoir, ‘My Neighbour, the Dictator’.

‘Nowhere, everywhere and anywhere’: Tari Lang on exile and Indonesia in 1965

Forced into exile by the trauma of 1965, Tari Lang revisits a country she loves and its unfinished struggle for freedom in her memoir, My Neighbour, The Dictator.

5 days ago

Dutch royal family backed colonial rule from the beginning, study finds

A study involving around 60 researchers finds that the House of Orange-Nassau supported colonial violence, forced labor and slavery, even when its direct political power was limited. ...

1 week ago

Top-selling novelist denies AI use, admits plagiarism 'mistakes'

Thelyson Orelien, 38, was accused of using artificial intelligence to write his French-language novel about migration "C'etait ca ou mourir" ("It Was Either That Or Die"), which was set to be translated in more than 20 countries. ...

2 weeks ago

The Latest

42nd U.S. President Bill Clinton speaks on stage at the Food Bank for New York City Can-Do Awards Dinner 2017 on April 19, 2017 in New York City.

Bill Clinton co-writes White House thriller

Bill Clinton might have hoped to spend this year back in the White House as America's "first gentleman," should his wife Hillary have won the 2016 election.

9 years ago

'The Souls of China' was published in April in the United States and Britain.

New book explores revival of religious life in China

Despite its image as a predominantly secular nation, China has seen a revival of religious beliefs and practices in the decades following the Cultural Revolution, author and longtime China correspondent Ian Johnson maintains in his new book, "The Souls of China: The Return of Religion After Mao."

9 years ago

On the roll: Various pictures and slogans adorn a brightly colored angkot public minivan in Padang, West Sumatra.

Colorful portrait of Padang's public transportation

Unique features adorning angkot public transportation in Padang, West Sumatra, have long been the talk of the town and beyond.

9 years ago

JK Rowling arriving for the World Premiere of 'Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows pt2', Trafalgar Square, London.

J.K. Rowling apologizes for killing Snape in ‘Harry Potter’

Unexpectedly, “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling has apologized to fans for killing Severus Snape in the sought-after wizardry series.

9 years ago

Ivanka Trump says she wrote her latest book -- billed as a self-help guide for working women -- before her father's shock election.

Ivanka Trump publishes women's self-help book

US First Daughter Ivanka Trump revived ethics concerns Tuesday by publishing a self-help book for working women, which was immediately criticized for offering little help to millions of Americans living outside the moneyed elite.

9 years ago

Google Doodle celebrates the 92nd birthday of Indonesia's renowned writer Pramoedya Ananta Toer on Feb. 6.

Remembering the legacy of Pramoedya Ananta Toer

Pramoedya Ananta Toer – who died on this day, April 30, eleven years ago – did not recede into benevolent old age nor fade gently away.

9 years ago

As the closing date draws near, the organizer has geared up by restocking about 1 million new books.

'Big Bad Wolf' book sale restocks 1 million new books

The Big Bad Wolf (BBW) book sale is slated to end on May 2 at midnight.

9 years ago

In this Aug. 30, 2016, file photo, author James Patterson poses for a portrait in New York. Aaron Hernandez, the former NFL player and convicted murderer found hanging by a bedsheet in prison on April 19, 2017, will be the subject of an upcoming true crime book by Patterson. Little, Brown and Co. told The Associated Press on Thursday, April 27, 2017, that Patterson’s book, not yet titled, is scheduled for early 2018.

James Patterson plans true crime book on Aaron Hernandez

Aaron Hernandez, the former NFL player and convicted murderer found hanging by a bedsheet in prison last week, will be the subject of an upcoming true crime book by best-selling author James Patterson.

9 years ago

In this Oct. 30, 2016 photo, Japanese author Haruki Murakami, center, arrives for the presentation ceremony of the Hans Christian Andersen Literature Prize, at Odense Town Hall, Denmark.

Translation more hobby than work for novelist Murakami

Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami, an accomplished translator as well as author of works that have been translated for readers around the world to enjoy, said Thursday translation is "almost in the realm of a hobby" for him.

9 years ago

Mohammed Hasan Alwan, Saudi Arabian novelist is surrounded by journalists after he won the International Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, April 25, 2017.

Saudi novelist wins prestigious prize for Arab fiction

Mohammed Hasan Alwan was awarded the International Prize for Arab Fiction on Tuesday evening in Abu Dhabi, the 10th annual winner of the prize.

9 years ago

David Grossman's "A Horse Walks Into a Bar," Amos Oz's "Judas" and Samanta Schweblin's "Fever Dream" are on a six-book shortlist announced Thursday for the 50,000 pound ($64,000) prize.

Amos Oz, David Grossman among Intl Booker Prize nominees

Two of Israel's most renowned authors and an Argentine first-time novelist are among six finalists for the Man Booker International Prize for fiction.

9 years ago

Shortlisted for the award are (clockwise from top left) Home by Sun Hsin-yu; Night In The Gardens by J.H. Low; Don't Be Sorry, Dad! by Nari Hong; Grandma And The Things That Stay The Same by Eve Aw and Tan Yun Ru; Tiny Feet, Tiny Shoes by Adeline Foo and Beth Parrocha; and Chikibam Meow by Chiki Kikuchi.

Shortlist for inaugural Asian Children's Book Award is out

A new award for children's books in Asia puts a spotlight on translation.

9 years ago

In this Monday, Aug. 13, 2007, file photo, Judd Apatow arrives at the premiere of "Superbad" in Los Angeles. Apatow likes nothing more than topping his own joke: The filmmaker is putting together a sequel to his best-selling “Sick In the Head,” which featured conversations with Mel Brooks, Jerry Seinfeld and other comedians.

Sick, and sicker: Apatow has new book of comedian interviews

Judd Apatow likes nothing more than topping his own joke.

9 years ago

Trace of history: Women work at Tee Boen Kee's batik center in Palmerah area, or in a place called in Eng Soen alley (Jl. Palmerah Utara II), in this 1930s photo.

Glory days of batik Betawi revisited

A newly launched book examines an important yet almost forgotten chapter in the story of Indonesia’s batik traditions.

9 years ago

The Big Bad Wolf (BBW) book sale is set to return to the Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE) in BSD, South Tangerang from Apr. 21 to May 2.

24-hour Big Bad Wolf book sale to return this month

The Big Bad Wolf (BBW) (www.thejakartapost.com/community/2016/05/05/should-you-bring-your-kids-to-the-big-bad-wolf-book-sale.html) book sale is set to return to the Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE) in BSD, South Tangerang, from April 21 to May 2.

9 years ago

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

A millennial's take on 'The Handmaid's Tale'

While it was written in the 1980s, the actual events of The Handmaid’s Tale exist whenever readers imagine it to, allowing the potential of a Gilead-like world to always exist.

9 years ago

This image released by Columbia TriStar Marketing Group, Inc. shows Rooney Mara as Lisbeth Salander in "The Girl With a Dragon Tattoo". The fifth book in "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" series now has a title: "The Girl Who Takes an Eye for an Eye."

The next 'The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo' novel has a title

The fifth book in "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" series now has a title: "The Girl Who Takes an Eye for an Eye."

9 years ago

This image released by Boneau/Bryan-Brown shows, Michelle Wilson, left, and Johanna Day during a performance of Lynn Nottage's play, "Sweat," at Studio 54 in New York. The play was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for drama on Monday, April 10, 2017.

Whitehead's 'Underground Railroad' wins fiction Pulitzer

Colson Whitehead's "The Underground Railroad," his celebrated novel about an escaped slave that combined liberating imagination and brutal reality, has won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction.

9 years ago

Recruit to Revolution by John Coast

Those were the days

Indonesia is a historian’s motherlode — a vein of dazzling riches.

9 years ago

In this two photo combo composed on Thursday, April 6, 2017, the color-by-numbers image of Adolf Hitler before, left, and after been coloured in, in a book which went on sale this week. A chain of Dutch stores has apologized after inadvertently selling children’s color-by-numbers books featuring an image of German Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.

Coloring book with Hitler image pulled from Dutch stores

A chain of Dutch stores has apologized after inadvertently selling children's coloring books featuring an image of Adolf Hitler.

9 years ago

In this file photo dated Monday, Oct. 24, 2016, writer Madeleine Thien, poses for the media with her book "Do Not Say We Have Nothing" during a photocall for the 6 shortlisted authors for the Man Booker Prize for fiction in London. Thien's Chinese-Canadian journey "Do Not Say We Have Nothing," is named Monday April 3, 2017, on the short list for Women's Fiction Prize, with the winner to be announced June 7.

Thien, Morgan, Alderman, Adebayo eye women's fiction prize

Family sagas from China and Kentucky and a sci-fi story of female empowerment are among six finalists for the international Women's Prize for Fiction.

9 years ago

Interior Agam Riadi has just launched his book, titled 'Treasuring The Past, Embracing The Future'.

Interior designer Agam Riadi launches first book

Interior designer Agam Riadi launched his first book, Treasuring The Past, Embracing The Future, at a restaurant in South Jakarta on Mar. 29.

9 years ago

Enchanting Tales from Indonesia

'Enchanting Tales from Indonesia'

Andari said she found it very strange to not see a single international version of the Indonesian folktales that she loves so much.

9 years ago

Bookworm: Moammar Emka, a hopelessly romantic soul

Beneath Moammar’s reputation is a man who is hopelessly romantic when it comes to his taste in literature.

9 years ago

Bali, Ancient Rites in the Digital Age

Bali, Ancient Rites in the Digital Age

Bali is indeed arguably one of the most photographed places in the world. Rice fields, mountains, rites, processions, people — all aspects of Bali have been time and again photographed.

9 years ago

The maestro: Sapardi Djoko Damono sits during the launch of his seven books at Bentara Budaya Jakarta. The event also coincided with the celebration of the poet’s 77th birthday.

Reviving Sapardi Djoko Darmono's legacy

Sapardi Djoko Darmono has become one of the country’s productive writers, inundating the local literary scene with his great poems from year to year since the late 1960s.

9 years ago

A still from "Hidden Figures". Margot Lee Shetterly's book and the namesake movie are about the contributions of a team of black women mathematicians to the NASA space program.

'Hidden Figures' author Shetterly receives literary prize

An author whose book was the basis for the Oscar-nominated movie "Hidden Figures" has won an award for writing literature that promotes diversity and confronts racism.

9 years ago

Nila Tanzil, founder of Taman Bacaan Pelangi, and local celebrity Chelsea Islan are among the people who support Walt Disney Indonesia's book-donation program.

Disney, Taman Bacaan Pelangi to donate books for kids in Eastern Indonesia

Walt Disney Indonesia announced a book-donation program for children in Eastern Indonesia on Tuesday.

9 years ago

The Loner by John McBeth

The Loner: Yudhoyono's squandered decade

A long-term observer of Southeast Asian affairs casts a critical eye at the 10 years in office of Indonesia’s sixth president.

9 years ago

In this May 9, 2016 file photo, Ivana Trump, ex-wife of President Donald Trump, attends the Fashion Institute of Technology Annual Gala benefit in New York. Ivana Trump, the first wife of President Donald Trump, is writing a memoir which will focus on the couple’s three children. “Raising Trump” will be published Sept. 12, 2017, by Gallery Books.

Ivana Trump writing memoir about her children with Donald

Ivana Trump, the first wife of President Donald Trump, is writing a memoir that will focus on the couple's three children.

9 years ago

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