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Jakarta Post
French writer Albert Camus (center) speaks at a meeting in the Salle Pleyel in Paris on December 4, 1948. On the right, American pacifist activist Garry Davis, who launched in September 1948 the movement “Citizens of the world“ by tearing his passport. On the left, French writer Vercors (Jean Bruller).
French writer Albert Camus (center) speaks at a meeting in the Salle Pleyel in Paris on December 4, 1948. On the right, American pacifist activist Garry Davis, who launched in September 1948 the movement “Citizens of the world“ by tearing his passport. On the left, French writer Vercors (Jean Bruller).
Books

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.

1 week ago
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‘The Jakarta Salon’: Remembering a home that nurtured Indonesian maestros

Authored by Hong Kong-based art specialist Rishika Assomull, the 293-page volume was launched at the very place where it all began: the Papadimitrious residence.

2 months ago
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Resisting oppression with speculative fiction: Anselma’s path to Nebula Awards

The author is the first Indonesian to earn recognition from the prestigious Nebula Awards, given annually by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA).

2 months ago

The Latest

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‘The Poz Says OK’: A moving memoir about having HIV and fighting its stigma

Both confessional and educational, Amahl S. Azwar’s deeply personal memoir lays bare his experience living with HIV.

2 years ago
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What I’ve learned: Maesy Angelina, indie bookshop POST cofounder

Whether it is shrugging off labels or simply staying true to why she started POST—an independent bookshop and publisher in Pasar Santa, South Jakarta—, Maesy Angelina looks back on what she’s learned with a fondness and maturity we should all strive to adopt.

2 years ago
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Why English audiences have the toughest time with Shakespeare

The irony is the rest of the globe often has an easier time understanding William Shakespeare than English speakers.

2 years ago
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‘Nobody dares speak out’: Exiled Chinese writer decries censorship

Murong Xuecun was one of the brightest stars of China's literary scene, his novels offering searing critiques of contemporary social issues that few other writers dared to imitate. 

2 years ago
Books

French author Annie Ernaux wins 2022 Nobel Prize for Literature

In explaining its choice, the Swedish Academy said Ernaux, 82, "consistently and from different angles, examines a life marked by strong disparities regarding gender, language and class".

2 years ago
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‘Well, That Was Unexpected’: A novel filled with charm, wit and growing pains

In her new novel for young adults, Jesse Q. Sutanto again cooks up a humorous story that includes intrusive parents and overbearing but lovable relatives.

2 years ago
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Bestseller or dark horse for 2022 Nobel Literature Prize?

The Swedish Academy will on Thursday announce the 2022 winner of the often-criticised Nobel Literature Prize, with the award committee known for its penchant for spotlighting lesser-known writers over bestselling authors.

2 years ago
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Munir biography reminisces fallen human rights activist

A biography of late Indonesian human rights icon Munir sought to find the individual behind his larger-than-life image, introducing a new generation to his life and legacy.

2 years ago
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Jakarta Art Book Fair 2022 aims to provoke thoughts

Print is not dead: the 2022 Jakarta Art Book Fair organizers talk about their reslate from 2020 and the elements that constitute an art book.

2 years ago
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Nietzsche says ‘Be Yourself’ in latest compilation of aphorisms

German professor Berthold Damshäuser has translated some of Friedrich Nietzsche’s most “nutritious” aphorisms into Indonesian and compiled them in a book. 

2 years ago
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Developing employees within their comfort zone

When asked during job interviews what has motivated a candidate to search for new opportunities, “comfort zone” is invariably stated as the reason. Whether it is because of complacency, boredom or stagnant growth, many believe that a workplace comfort zone is prohibitive to personal development and so warrants finding a new job.

3 years ago
Work it right

Friendship at work: A mixed blessing

Personal relationships, whether they be friendships, romances or family, have always been an elephant in the room in the corporate world. Everybody knows about them, gossips about them, but the attitude is largely “don’t ask, don’t tell”.

3 years ago
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Nadine Aisha Abdullah: Teen author gives Asian spin to original fables

Nadine Aisha Abdullah has given a distinctly Asian twist to her original stories for children, turning over a new leaf in the age-old literary genre of fables.

3 years ago
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Buckle up for climactic finale, says author of manga 'One Piece'

Secrets will be revealed as the mega-hit Japanese manga series One Piece enters its final chapter, its author said on Monday, telling fans to get ready for a wild ride.

3 years ago
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'The state of being lonely': South Korean horror writer shortlisted for Booker

A head pops out of the toilet, a woman gets pregnant from birth control pills -- South Korean Booker Prize nominee Bora Chung's short stories are full of horror, inspired by her own life.

3 years ago
Books

Pandemic puts Chilean poet Pablo Neruda's legacy at risk

"The pandemic devastated all visitors. We are in a critical situation," said Fernando Saez, executive director of the Neruda Foundation, in a meeting with foreign correspondents at the poet's house in Santiago.

3 years ago
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Shut up and read: Indonesians’ beloved silent book club

Every month, with no introductions or discussions, total strangers go online and spend an hour of their time reading in front of their cameras.

3 years ago
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Murakami to call for peace in Ukraine

On the program, to be aired from 11 p.m. Friday, Murakami will feature around ten musical pieces chosen from his personal record and CD collection that call for an end to war and focus on the preciousness of life, the broadcaster said. He will also explain the social background behind the music along with his translation of their lyrics.

3 years ago
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In his new book, art observer Syakieb Sungkar dives into the philosopher’s mind

Launching one of the few books in Indonesian about philosopher Adorno, art observer Syakieb Sungkar brings examples from the art world into the discussion.

3 years ago
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Five seminal Indonesian books on love

This Valentine, let’s get it on with some of the country’s best literary love stories, caught on paper.

3 years ago
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In Iraq's Mosul, library rises from ashes of IS reign

The storied library of Iraq's Mosul University boasted a million titles before Islamic State group jihadists rampaged through it.

3 years ago
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Online bookstores open physical branches amid pandemic sales boom

During the pandemic, online bookshops have helped people feel connected to the outside world.  

3 years ago
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US school board bans Holocaust graphic novel 'Maus'

A school board in Tennessee has added to a surge in book bans by conservatives with an order to remove the award-winning 1986 graphic novel on the Holocaust, Maus, from local student libraries.

3 years ago
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Collection ‘People Without Genitals’ is equally humane as it is spooky

Short story collection Manusia Tanpa Kelamin (People Without Genitals) puts forth contemporary issues through a fictional lens.

3 years ago
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Beyond the page: Boosting child literacy takes more than books alone

When Jakarta was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, child literacy became a major concern, as young students lost the opportunity to learn alongside peers and were made to rely on digital devices for their education.

3 years ago
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France's Houellebecq returns to politics with 8th novel

Top-selling French author Michel Houellebecq returns to the subject of politics and power in his highly anticipated eighth novel, which is to appear in French bookshops next week.

3 years ago
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Five best reads of 2021 by Indonesian writers

What does your reading list look like going into the third year (yes, really) of the extremely prolonged pandemic? Here are five titles from 2021 that you might want to include.

3 years ago
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'Harry Potter' first edition sells for smashing US$471,000

"Not only is it the most expensive Harry Potter book ever sold, it’s the most expensive commercially published 20th-century work of fiction ever sold," Heritage Auctions Executive Vice President Joe Maddalena said in a statement.

3 years ago
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Awi Chin's debut a presents overdue Chinese-Indonesian representation

With his debut novel Yang Tak Kunjung Usai, Awi Chin gives Chinese-Indonesians some overdue representation in literature.

3 years ago
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Legendary novelist Wilbur Smith dies aged 88: publisher

Internationally acclaimed author Wilbur Smith has died in South Africa aged 88, his publisher announced Saturday.

3 years ago