Hungarian author Laszlo Krasznahorkai is pictured at Premio Formentor de las Letras 2024, in Marrakech, Morocco, September 27, 2024 in this handout photo. Krasznahorkai was awarded 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature.

Hungary's 'master of the apocalypse' Krasznahorkai wins literature Nobel

Critically difficult and demanding, his style was described once by Krasznahorkai himself as "reality examined to the point of madness".

3 weeks ago

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Through Liu Kang’s lens: A time capsule of Indonesia in 1952

A rediscovered trove of photographs, sketches and letters reveals artist Liu Kang’s intimate journey through Indonesia in the 1950s, capturing a young nation in transition and the everyday lives of its people. ...

1 month ago

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From novelist to influencer: the many sides to Albert Camus

Winner of the Nobel prize three years before his tragic death in 1960 at the age of 46, Camus has found new admirers in younger generations who love to quote him in rap lyrics and on social media. ...

2 months ago

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Indonesia was recognized as the Market Focus country of the 2019 London Book Fair.

Books

Makassar writers festival among London Book Fair's excellence award winners

The winners were announced on Wednesday, but the award ceremony did not take place as LBF organizers had decided to cancel the event over fears of the COVID-19 outbreak.

5 years ago

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Baghdad's booksellers won't let coronavirus close them down

They survived censorship under Saddam Hussein and the years of violence that followed his downfall, so the booksellers of Baghdad are not too worried by coronavirus.

5 years ago

Books

Let's talk about sex: 'C*bul' puts spotlight on porn

A book by Hendri Yulius unveils contemporary sexuality from a pornographic point of view.

5 years ago

US director Woody Allen attends a press conference for the presentation of his stage production of Giacomo Puccini’s one-act opera 'Gianni Schicchi', at the Scala Opera House in Milan on July 02, 2019.

Books

Publisher cancels Woody Allen memoir after backlash

A leading publisher on Friday scrapped plans to release the autobiography of filmmaker Woody Allen, who has long been accused of molesting his daughter, following an outcry and a staff walkout.

5 years ago

Soul-searching: The second novel by Indonesian-born Singaporean author Clarissa Goenawan (right), titled "The Perfect World of Miwako Sumida", is scheduled to be released on March 10.

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Clarissa Goenawan pens tale of teenage misfits’ gothic soul-searching

In her second novel, author Clarissa Goenawan uses exciting literary techniques, like combining elements of surrealism and horror, to make for a satisfying reading experience

5 years ago

Books

Mantel unveils final volume in award-winning Thomas Cromwell trilogy

British novelist Hilary Mantel unveiled the final installment of her Tudor trilogy about Thomas Cromwell, the blacksmith's son who rose to be King Henry VIII's most powerful adviser only to fall from grace and meet a gruesome end.

5 years ago

Books

Business as usual for Big Bad Wolf in Greater Jakarta until March 16

Despite fears over COVID-19, which has sparked a series of event cancelations in Jakarta, BBW organizers said they were ready to implement safety and sanitation procedures during the book sale, including temperature checks for all staff and visitors prior to entering the venue

5 years ago

National pride: People gather around Indonesia’s national pavilion at the 2019 London Book Fair, where Indonesia was selected as the Market Focus this year.

Books

London Book Fair shelved because of virus fears

One of the world’s biggest publishing trade fairs, the London Book Fair, has been cancelled because of the coronavirus outbreak in Europe, its organizers said on Wednesday.

5 years ago

US director Woody Allen at the 68th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, on May 15, 2015.

Books

Woody Allen's long-rumored memoir to hit bookshelves in April

"Apropos of Nothing" was first rejected by several publishing houses in the wake of the #MeToo movement, when allegations that Allen molested his then-7-year-old adopted daughter Dylan Farrow in the early 1990s resurfaced.

5 years ago

Pick your treats: Participants of the “Harry Potter Book Night” could enjoy '"Harry Potter" themed delicacies and snacks.

Books

Potterheads celebrate 20 years of stanning

The goblet remains ablaze as Harry Potter fans continue to relive every scene from the novels and films.

5 years ago

Lawrence Wright speaks onstage during the 'The Looming Tower' FYC screening at the Television Academy on April 3, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (AFP/Tommaso Boddi).
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Lawrence Wright gets plenty of buzz for upcoming pandemic novel

Famed nonfiction writer Lawrence Wright is garnering heaps of attention for his upcoming novel, “The End of October.”

5 years ago

Considered one of Indonesia's boldest storytellers, Jakarta-based Leila S. Chudori has authored three novels and several anthologies of short stories, as well as TV and film scripts.

Books

Leila S. Chudori's 'The Sea Speaks His Name' released by Penguin Random House SEA

Penguin Random House SEA has released veteran journalist and author Leila S. Chudori's true-story-inspired novel, The Sea Speaks His Name.

5 years ago

Books

Amazon halts sale of books assailed as 'Nazi propaganda'

Amazon has stopped sales of some books on its platform following protests that the titles, including some for children, were Nazi-era "propaganda".

5 years ago

Dan Brown has also composed a classical music album to accompany his first children's book, 'Wild Symphony'.

Books

Dan Brown to release debut children's book 'Wild Symphony'

The best-selling author, known for "The Da Vinci Code", will release his first volume for children in September.

5 years ago

Cross section: Pictured is a selection of Karina Tungari's works, which can be found in various books, comic anthologies and online magazines.

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Karina Tungari's colorful world of creativity

Indonesian artist Karina Tungari, who is based in Hamburg, Germany, recently received a promotional prize from the city’s agency for culture and media in the newly established category for comics.

5 years ago

A flower affixed to barbed wire at the Auschwitz-Birkenau state museum in Oswiecim, Poland, on June 11, 2013.

Books

Auschwitz museum demands Amazon drop 'Nazi propaganda' books

The Auschwitz museum called Friday on US e-commerce billionaire Jeff Bezos to remove Nazi era anti-Semitic children's books featured on his Amazon global digital sales platform.

5 years ago

Author Bambang Supriyanto poses with his book, "Catatan dari Tepi Hutan" (Notes From the Forest’s Edge) during its launch in Jakarta

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‘Catatan dari Tepi Hutan’: Communities honor local wisdom to manage forests

A new book reveals how local people exercise their local wisdom to manage forests in a sustainable way.

5 years ago

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Jordan Marzuki: Draws his way through his childhood memories

Indonesian designer, video-maker and illustrator Jordan Marzuki celebrates his childhood in his book.

5 years ago

Poster boy: The English edition of "Gundala", titled "Destiny" is published in neighboring Asian countries in partnership with Singapore-based Shogakukan Asia. The comic was an adaptation from the movie released last year as the start of the Bumilangit Cinematic Universe.

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Bumilangit universe expands to Southeast Asia

The English edition of Gundala has landed in bookstores in Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei.

5 years ago

'Buru Island: A Prison Memoir' by Hersri Setiawan

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‘Buru Island – A Prison Memoir’: Watermelons drained of tears

The tenacity and bravery of Yogyakarta writer Hersri Setiawan and his mates who were jailed on Buru Island reveal much of human nature. Here the book becomes a page turner for those who wants to know the truth, not the manufactured version.

5 years ago

Books

'Such A Fun Age': Eye-opening, contemporary fun read

Such a Fun Age begins with the classic ‘caught being racist’ moment often trending in the media.

5 years ago

Engaging talk: Sculptor and feminist icon Dolorosa Sinaga interacts with visitors during the launch of her biography at the National Gallery of Indonesia.

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Dolorosa Sinaga’s biography: A story of art and activism

Venerable sculptor and feminist icon Dolorosa Sinaga celebrated her illustrious career spanning more than four decades with the launch of her biography, Dolorosa Sinaga: Tubuh, Bentuk, Substansi (Dolorosa Sinaga: Body, Form, Matter).

5 years ago

Reading session: Angelina Enny (right) and Robin Block read from their book of poetry on the podium at Theater Aan Het Spui in The Hague on Jan. 18.

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Winternachten literary festival and the art of decolonization

Former Dutch colonies are the focus at Winternachten, one of the Netherlands' biggest literary festivals, in The Hague.

5 years ago

Books

‘Gundala’ returns to its roots with official English-edition comic book

Gundala – Takdir is said to be a bestseller and its fourth edition is currently in circulation in the national market.

5 years ago

Books

Bestselling US author Mary Higgins Clark dies

Best-selling American author Mary Higgins Clark, known to her fans as the "Queen of Suspense", has died aged 92, her publisher confirmed Friday.

5 years ago

Books

'American Dirt,' novel on migrants, ignites literary controversy

Hailed by luminaries such as Stephen King and Oprah Winfrey, "American Dirt" was touted as the next "great American novel," bought for a seven-figure advance, backed by aggressive marketing and launched last week to great fanfare in both English and Spanish.

5 years ago

This file photo taken on July 12, 1990, shows French writer Gabriel Matzneff posing in the garden of the 'House of Writers' (Maison des Ecrivains) in Paris, as they attend the first anniversary of the Chinese House of Democracy (Maison Chinoise de la Democratie).

Books

French writer 'regrets' his pedophile sex tourism in Asia

French writer Gabriel Matzneff said in an interview Wednesday that he "regrets" his trips to Asia to have sex with children, claiming that at the time "no one ever said it was a crime".

5 years ago