Indonesia has many incredibly talented writers, but unfortunately they don’t receive nearly as much attention here as they should. One Indonesian writer who is gaining a great deal of notice abroad, however, is 40-year-old novelist Eka Kurniawan, whose literary star has risen recently after two of his books, “Beauty is a Wound” and “Man TIger” were translated into English.
“Man Tiger” gained a great deal of buzz earlier this year when it was nominated for the incredibly prestigious Man Booker International Prize, the first nomination for a work of Indonesian literature.
Although “Man Tiger” did not make the shortlist for that prize, it did just emerge as the winner for best novel in the second Financial Times / OppenheimerFunds Emerging Voices Awards.
According to Financial Times editor Lionel Barber, “The Emerging Voices awards reflect both the FT’s deep interest in the newly emerging economies and our longstanding commitment to encouraging and reporting on the arts. With these awards, we aim to recognise outstanding talent in these countries, but also to bring their work to the attention of our readers and a wider public.”
The awards, which come with a cash prize of $40,0000, are given to one winner each in the fields of novels, film and art. In addition to Eka, this year’s winners include Zimbabwean artist Gareth Nyandoro and the Brazilian film-maker Clarissa Campolina.
“Man TIger” is set in a small town on the Indonesian coast and tells the story of a young man who is “ordinary in all particulars except that he conceals within himself a supernatural female white tiger.”
The Financial TImes review of “Man Tiger” noted Eka’s masterful use of magical realism had similarities to that of legendary writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez. He has also often been compared to Japan’s literary superstar Haruki Murakami.
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