These 10 Best Translated Novels from Indonesia are Anti Mainstream: Must Read!

What are the 10 best translated novels from Indonesia that you know? Just to name a few are Saman, Apple and Knife (Apel dan Pisau), also Beauty is a Wound (Kecantikan adalah Luka).

# These 10 best translated novels from Indonesia are a collection of the best novels (anti mainstream) that you can read now and in the years to come.

Maybe some of you are wondering why you should read 10 best translated novels from Indonesia if you are a native Indonesian who should only read novels in Bahasa Indonesia. The answer is that it turns out that many people out there, who are not native Indonesians, also like Indonesian literature and they want to read novels written purely by Indonesian authors.

Due to limited knowledge of Indonesian, that is why these novels were translated into English. And for the Indonesian people themselves, if there is a local novel that has been translated into a foreign language, that means the novel is a successful novel. Because not all Indonesian novels are translated into foreign languages.

Only selected novels and authors are lucky to have their novels translated into foreign languages. That means, the novels they write are very good and influential. So, what are the 10 best translated novels from Indonesia that have been translated into English? The following is a review that you need to know.

1. Saman

The novel Saman, one of the 10 best translated novels from Indonesia, was written by Ayu Utami and has been translated into English by Pamela Allen.

Even though it was published in 1998, this novel is worth reading at any time, for years to come. The story of 4 women is very embedded in it. In the midst of political upheaval during the New Order era, the four of them had to grapple with their sexuality. One of the characters, Shakun, strongly eschews rules that she believes are too imposed on women.

Then there is Laila, who apparently loves a married man, and Cok who has been labelled "naughty" or "not a good woman" since she lost her virginity, while men who are no longer virgins are not questioned by the public. Lastly, there is Yasmin, who lives together with her boyfriend before getting married. This novel clearly depicts sexuality from the perspective of women, where at that time, things like this were considered taboo in Indonesian society.

It is also clear that this novel is a very strong feminist novel. Where the women in this novel just don't want to be differentiated from men.

2. Apple and Knife

Originally titled "Apel dan Pisau" in Bahasa Indonesia, this novel has been translated into English by Stephen J. Epstein. Apple and Knife is one of the 10 best translated novels from Indonesia that you must read, especially for those of you who like to break the rules as a complete woman. Actually, Apple and Knife contains a collection of short stories where the women in it reject the patriarchal system.

If you like gothic, thriller and horror themes, you must read the stories in this book, because you will find elements such as blood, bodies, fairy tales, urban legends, and so on. So when you read it you will see female characters such as witches, murderous ghosts, and even women who like to drink blood. Everyone rebelled against the arrogance of the men.

3.Beauty is a Wound

Beauty is a Wound, as one of the 10 best translated novels from Indonesia, has the original title "Kecantikan adalah Luka". This novel was written by Eka Kurniawan which has been translated into English by Annie Tucker.

This novel contains dark humour in Indonesian history. Dewi Ayu, a character in the novel, finally reveals the secret of why she became an undead. During the Soeharto regime and the rise of Dutch colonialism at that time, she finally discovered many facts related to prostitution, communism, even murder and even incest. Here, you will meet communist ghosts too.

All taboo things will appear in this novel, as well as family stories from several generations, so reader discretion is highly expected. However, even though it is taboo, there are many lessons you can take from this novel.

4. The Question of Red

Originally titled "Pertanyaan Merah", the novel The Question Red is one of the 10 best translated novels from Indonesia written by Laksmi Pamuntjak and translated by herself into English. Covered in history and the love story between the two lovebirds in this novel, it is very interesting to read. The reason is, the man named Bhisma was exiled because he was involved with the Indonesian Communist Party.

Amba, his girlfriend, also tried to look for him on an island in Maluku. Both of them had a child who was born without marriage. The gloomy times of communism at that time, and Suharto, who fought against it, were made brighter by the love story of Bhisma and Amba. What is their real story?

5. Happy Stories, Mostly

Written by Norman Erikson Pasaribu, this novel translated by Tiffany Tsao deserves to be one of the 10 best translated novels from Indonesia. In this novel, you will find several strange and unique characters in Indonesia. If you have high empathy, you will feel the suffering of those who are obliged to follow the rules in society.

The life that society thinks is a happy life is questioned by these characters. What is meant by happiness? In reality, they are not completely happy, but almost happy, because they follow the rules of Indonesian society.

6. Gadis dari Pantai

Girl from the Beach is one of the 10 best translated novels from Indonesia written by Pramoedya Ananta Toer and has been translated into English by Willem Samuels. Apparently, the author told about her own grandmother's experience, where at that time, the grandmother was only 14 years old.

It should be noted that at that time there was a Javanese social class system. This is what caused the grandmother, at a young age, to be sold to a man of noble birth. The grandmother could not refuse because her social class (related to her economic situation) was very low at that time. She was forced to follow the existing rules.

Even though this novel was strictly banned in the 80s, it was clear that this novel was against the Javanese culture of marrying off their children at a young age, even if they were still children. Even in this modern era, there are still some Indonesian people who want to marry off their children who are still relatively young, even under the age of 16.

6. The Sea Speaks His Name

The Sea Speaks His name is one of the 10 best translated novels from Indonesia written by Leila Chudori and translated by John H McGlynn. The author states that the story in this novel was written based on a true story during the Soeharto dictatorship in the New Order. During his 30 years in office, many people disappeared.

Even though this novel was published in 2017, the author clearly has extensive insight into the New Order period. In this novel, it is told that a young man and his fellow students were arrested and tortured by the government. Even though their families were looking for them. In the end, their family could only accept the situation.

The author said that if she wrote a story like this at that time, which means she dared to reveal the government's rottenness, she might have been caught and tortured too, and then added to the list of missing persons. However, fortunately, this novel was published in 2017 and there is no harm in retelling the history that has happened.

8. Saksi Mata (Eyewitness)

Eyewitness, as one of the 10 best translated novels from Indonesia, written by Seno Gumira Ajidarma and translated by John H. McGlynn. The author combines fiction and history in this novel regarding events that occurred in Timor Leste. With his broad insight (the author is also a journalist), he tells about the victims of the Indonesian occupation in Timor Leste.

These victims are explained in detail, especially when they are overshadowed by the bad politics. For this reason, this novel is not only 'dry', but is very effective and different from usual novels.

9. Mimpi Asli (Cala Ibi)

Another one of the 10 best translated novels from Indonesia that you must read is Original Dream aka "Mimpi Asli" by Nukila Amal. Translated by Linda Owens, this novel actually had the original title "Cala Ibi" when it was first released in 2003.

Even though you will be confused at the beginning of the story, because the plot is non-traditional, where there is a story within a story. It's normal for you to be a little confused. However, what makes this book very interesting is the clear description and clear writing. As a result, this book has its own charm. It is said that Maya, with a dragon named Cala Ibi, explored and flew into the world of dreams. You will be amazed when your mind imagines magical realism stories that are very detailed and clear.

10. Vengeance is Mine, All Others Pay Cash

Eka Kurniawan is the author of this novel. Yes, he also wrote the novel Beauty is a Wound which contains taboo subjects, but there are many things that can be learned in it.

The novel Vengeance is Mine, All Others Pay Cash, also written by Eka Kurniawan, is one of the 10 best translated novels from Indonesia which has been translated by Annie Tucker. In this novel, the author tells about the world of fights between street people and small-time criminals.

It is stated that a male character here is impotent (his penis is unable to function normally) who loves a female fighter. However, after their relationship ended, the man became a fighter who was very brave to take risks.

Written in concise chapters and a unique writing style, of course Eka Kurniawan dares to rebuke and harshly slap the Indonesian government and society through this story. Are you curious about how Eka made the Indonesian government and people feel slapped and insulted? Just read the novel, you will like it and non stop reading it.

Aruna dan Lidahnya (The Bird Woman's Palate)

Finally, another one of the 10 best translated novels from Indonesia is The Bird Woman's Palate which has been translated into English by Tiffany Tsao.

Before being translated, this novel actually had the original title "Aruna dan Lidahnya". Since this novel was adapted into a film starring Dian Sastrowardoyo and Nicholas Saputra in 2018, apparently many people are interested in this novel.

The main character is Aruna, a reporter whose job is to investigate. As a result, he travelled around the country to make a report.

When he ate a lot of typical Indonesian food, it turned out that he discovered something more meaningful about the food, which apparently wasn't just food.

Conclusion

Those are the 10 best translated novels from Indonesia which are truly anti-mainstream. Why are they called anti-mainstream?

Because the 10 best translated novels from Indonesia are not common novels, most of which have themes of teenage love stories or adult dramas that sound like soap operas.

If you read the novels mentioned above, your way of thinking will become wider and your mind will be more open.

Because the novels above are related to culture, tradition, politics, history, and the rules made by society, where humans are the ones who actually suffer, aka become victims.

By reading novels like them, you will gain a lot of wisdom and lessons in them. This of course also makes you wiser in making decisions or when judging other people.

You will realise that in this world everything has positive and negative things. Nothing is completely positive and nothing is completely negative. Everything has its own consequences and benefits.

If you are a native Indonesian, of course you can read the 10 best translated novels from Indonesia in Bahasa Indonesia so that it is easier for you to understand them.

And if you are not native to Indonesia but can speak English, you can still read these novels because they have all been translated into English. Ready to read?***