by Eka Kurniawan
Summary
Library Journal:
/* Starred Review */ This English-language debut of trending Indonesian author Kurniawan opens with beautiful prostitute Dewi Ayu arising from the grave after 21 years and encountering her child Beauty, whom she had cursed with ugliness. The initial feeling of legend, dare one say magic realism, is quickly overtaken by the brutal facts of Indonesian history, from the last gasp of Dutch colonialism to World War II and the bloody battle for independence and against presumed Communists. VERDICT A lush, raucous, and fabulous saga. –Barbara Hoffert (Reviewed September 15, 2015) (Library Journal, vol 140, issue 15, p70)
Awards:
- Booklist Editors’ Choice – Best Fiction Books: 2015
- New York Times Notable Books – Fiction and Poetry: 2015