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Pulang
by
Paris, Mei 1968.
Ketika revolusi mahasiswa berkecamuk di Paris, Dimas Suryo seorang eksil politik Indonesia bertemu Vivienne Deveraux, seorang mahasiswa Prancis yang ikut demonstrasi melawan pemerintah Prancis. Pada saat yang sama, Dimas menerima kabar dari Jakarta: Hananto Prawiro, sahabatnya, ditangkap tentara dan dinyatakan tewas. Dimas merasa cemas dan gamang. Bersama ...more
Ketika revolusi mahasiswa berkecamuk di Paris, Dimas Suryo seorang eksil politik Indonesia bertemu Vivienne Deveraux, seorang mahasiswa Prancis yang ikut demonstrasi melawan pemerintah Prancis. Pada saat yang sama, Dimas menerima kabar dari Jakarta: Hananto Prawiro, sahabatnya, ditangkap tentara dan dinyatakan tewas. Dimas merasa cemas dan gamang. Bersama ...more
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Paperback, 472 pages
Published
December 4th 2012
by Kepustakaan Populer Gramedia
(first published December 2012)
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Start your review of Pulang

Review ini harus dibuka dengan kutipan dari Franz Kafka,"I think we ought to read only the kind of books that wound and stab us. If the book we are reading doesn't wake us up with a blow on the head, what are we reading it for? ...we need the books that affect us like a disaster, that grieve us deeply, like the death of someone we loved more than ourselves, like being banished into forests far from everyone, like a suicide. A book must be the axe for the frozen sea inside us."
Buku ini begitu lua ...more
Buku ini begitu lua ...more

My roots were in a foreign land. I was born in France, a country with a beautiful body and fragrant scent. But, according to my father, my blood came from another country one far distant from the European land mass, a place that gave the world the scent of cloves and wasted sadness; a land of fecundity, rich with plants of myriad colors, shapes, and faiths, yet one that could crush its own citizens merely because of a difference in opinion.I love being able to add new shelves for my books on GR ...more

I began reading Pulang/Home (English translation) after hearing Leila Chudori speak at my university a couple of weeks ago. Other than this book, I have never read any other Indonesian literature and thought Pulang sounded like an interesting place to start - and it was. I have limited knowledge about Indonesia's political history but Leila Chudori covered the historical side well. It was shocking to learn what happened in 1965 and the years that followed. However, the book is not entirely about
...more

This book had me at, "Un tres bon plat, Ayah." It was a sentence that lift the whole thing, summarized details that followed later into the book.
I haven't read good story in Bahasa Indonesia for quite a while. I'd like to say "Pulang" shed a light on many things. It's a new hybrid of a genre that comes with a bibliography (which means: pretty thorough research). The characters study, the plot, the sub-plot, the atmosphere building, and the intimacy were just the right dose. For me, at least. It ...more
I haven't read good story in Bahasa Indonesia for quite a while. I'd like to say "Pulang" shed a light on many things. It's a new hybrid of a genre that comes with a bibliography (which means: pretty thorough research). The characters study, the plot, the sub-plot, the atmosphere building, and the intimacy were just the right dose. For me, at least. It ...more

This book looks at the impact on those considered to be enemies of the State as part of Sukarno's crackdown in 1965. The book then follows a small group of Indonesians and their families who find themselves unable to return to their country and are stuck in Paris. The book then moves to the end of the General Suharto era in 1998. Their is some coverage of the tortures, deaths and imprisonment that occurred under Suharto but this was often shadowed by various diversions.
I don't know whether the i ...more
I don't know whether the i ...more

Leila S. Chudori’s Home (translated by John H. McGlynn) circles around a black day in Indonesian history, while not revealing much about what happened on September 30, 1965. Instead, it details the long aftermath of the violence and the violent, repressive crackdown on communism through the lives of Dimas Suryo and his family. McGlynn’s translation includes some poorly chosen words and the book could have done with more editing, as it contains some typos...
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish ...more
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish ...more

"I might ask instead who are history’s owners? Indeed, who is it that determines who is a hero and who is a traitor? Who is it that determines the accuracy of events? Is it the historians who were hired and paid by the government to write the official history of September 1965? Or is it that far smaller number of historians and intellectuals who have dared to ask about issues not recorded in official history? I know several Indonesian historians who have long been itching to dig up, uncover, and...more

Sep 13, 2020
Sookie
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
literary-fiction,
translated
Home is a novel about search for roots, finding what makes homeland "our homeland" ; is it the people, our memories, cultural diaspora we are genetically coded to, or is it where we have our identity unquestionably present? This book goes in search for answers to all these questions and more set during most turbulent times in Indonesian history. (Much of this history is still unveiled and explored by the state, and the novel is more than a decade old.)
An Indonesian man is forced to become an exp ...more
An Indonesian man is forced to become an exp ...more

This book is like a hand-sewn mosaic art with the characters as its patch and their story as the connecting string. Sometimes it moves too fast, sometimes it needs to go back and forth. We can see how beautiful the craft is made in the end.
Haha, perhaps not a very good analogy but at least that's how I felt after reading it.
This book also made me think about the word "pulang" itself - how it can mean differently depending on the person. ...more
Haha, perhaps not a very good analogy but at least that's how I felt after reading it.
This book also made me think about the word "pulang" itself - how it can mean differently depending on the person. ...more

pardon my not-so-good review, but well i feel like i need to write a review about this book.
this book compelled me into reading it by its promising Indonesia historical background.
i think the story (should be) good, it has potential.
BUT.
1. the story about May 1998 is not emphasized enough. for me it's just Lintang and Alam witnessing the chaos.....so what? the book didn't even write about the moment Soeharto left his throne.
2. i am somewhat confused with the plot, the complications and the solut ...more
this book compelled me into reading it by its promising Indonesia historical background.
i think the story (should be) good, it has potential.
BUT.
1. the story about May 1998 is not emphasized enough. for me it's just Lintang and Alam witnessing the chaos.....so what? the book didn't even write about the moment Soeharto left his throne.
2. i am somewhat confused with the plot, the complications and the solut ...more

historical moments and events in Paris, France and Jakarta, Indonesia in between 1960s-1998 in this book were blended perfectly, whole-heartedly by one of the prominent indonesian women writer, Leila S. Chudori. It talks about one of the darkest political history that still unreaveled by Indonesian government until now: 30 September 1965 incident engaged Indonesian Communist Party. Just like political incident with blood that happened in Aceh, Papua and Santa Cruz, I believe that literature can
...more

The theme of this book is actually very interesting. Politics, history, Indonesia, France, New Order, Soeharto's decline, etc etc. It felt personal to me too, since I've known a few political exile during my stay in Holland. But I had some complaints: the writing (language is a bit awkward here and there), the romance (took too much part of the book), and the ending (unexplainable and a bit anti climactic). But I'll still recommend this for any Indonesian literature readers.
...more

Robert Frost once said that “home is our destination, the place that will embrace us.” It is a place of comfort, culture, family, and, in the case of Leila Chudori's Home, food. Chudori's story tells of a family oppressed and stigmatised by the 1960’s Indonesian military regime. Originally written and published in Bahasa Indonesian as Pulang, Home is forthcoming in English from Deep Vellum Publishing, translated by John H. McGlynn. Chudori won the Khatulistiwa award for her book, Indonesia's for
...more

Overall This was a beautifully written emotional roller coaster set through some of the most important events in Indonesian history, the 1965 Communist massacre and the 1998 Reformation. The story is told through the perspective of a family of exiles, Indonesians who were considered to be part of the Communists and therefore were not able to return to Indonesia.
I loved how full of details the book was, showing the extend of knowledge Leila had on her subjects, the Indonesian exiles. The way she ...more
I loved how full of details the book was, showing the extend of knowledge Leila had on her subjects, the Indonesian exiles. The way she ...more

This book was great. This is not an advanced edit, but some parts read like it. I actually believe that with another editor, this book could be a strong contender for some national book awards and wide publication and reading. Would give 5/5 stars, but reserve one for that reason.
If you're interested in Southeast Asian literature, this is a must read. A fictional look at the lives of Indonesian Political Exiles, this book takes you to a far more personal understanding of how President Suharto's ...more
If you're interested in Southeast Asian literature, this is a must read. A fictional look at the lives of Indonesian Political Exiles, this book takes you to a far more personal understanding of how President Suharto's ...more

It was taking a quite longer time to finish this book actually. However I was enjoying it page by page. I always love the way Leila telling story how to see things in different perspective, in several point of views, on tragic events that was happening in Indonesia (1965 or 1998).
When I read the Lintang’s background and her character in the book, it is not a big surprise that this character is inspired by Mariana Renat Dantec because I was imagining the same person as Laila did. Good work.
I am c ...more
When I read the Lintang’s background and her character in the book, it is not a big surprise that this character is inspired by Mariana Renat Dantec because I was imagining the same person as Laila did. Good work.
I am c ...more

Sep 02, 2020
Karen
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
60-book-challenge-for-l-l,
translation-2020
When I read a book that is set in a country that I don't know too much about, and it creates in me an impetus to read more, than I feel it has done its job. In this case Indonesia.
Home is set in Paris and Jakarta, Indonesia. The story revolves around September 30, 1965 when the army instigated an anti-communist purge that killed between 500,000 and 1 million people. The main character Dimas was one person who was able to escape the purges by going abroad, and eventually settling in Paris.
I enj ...more
Home is set in Paris and Jakarta, Indonesia. The story revolves around September 30, 1965 when the army instigated an anti-communist purge that killed between 500,000 and 1 million people. The main character Dimas was one person who was able to escape the purges by going abroad, and eventually settling in Paris.
I enj ...more

I have to admit that I was sceptical towards this book. I got this book as a birthday present, and I kept putting off to read this one. Until I was on my annual leave and got some free time, I started reading it. It amazed me. I could not put it down and finished it within couple days.
This book looks back to mainly two historical events in Indonesia: 1965's anti-communist purge and 1998's mass violence which also ended the long dark New Order regime. The story was characterised by some Indonesia ...more
This book looks back to mainly two historical events in Indonesia: 1965's anti-communist purge and 1998's mass violence which also ended the long dark New Order regime. The story was characterised by some Indonesia ...more

Pro:
1. quick, light, engaging read. I finished it over the weekend.
2. great topic esp read now when PKI is again used as a scapegoat
Cons:
1. irrelevant. Might be interesting in 2006 but in 2017? Some of the 'heroes' of the Trisakti events have proven to be jerks.
2. the May riot was an after thought. Kind of unacceptable although when read in he context of 'the dictator never abdicates' makes sense.
3. what is it with Indonesian novel and sex scenes obsessions? I am not prudes (really!) but 3 s ...more
1. quick, light, engaging read. I finished it over the weekend.
2. great topic esp read now when PKI is again used as a scapegoat
Cons:
1. irrelevant. Might be interesting in 2006 but in 2017? Some of the 'heroes' of the Trisakti events have proven to be jerks.
2. the May riot was an after thought. Kind of unacceptable although when read in he context of 'the dictator never abdicates' makes sense.
3. what is it with Indonesian novel and sex scenes obsessions? I am not prudes (really!) but 3 s ...more

On ne voit bien qu'avec le coeur. L'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux. ( Le Petit Prince , Antoine de saint - Exupery)
Dengan menggunakan hati, kita bisa melihat dengan jernih. Sesuatu yang begitu penting justru tak terlihat kasat mata.
Not as i expected before, this novel was so brilliant and i just cant stop reading it. "Seamless realism" Seno Gumira Ajidarma (Indonesian Journalist) said. This novel does not make me feel like i was reading a novel... i was into this story, i took a part i ...more
Dengan menggunakan hati, kita bisa melihat dengan jernih. Sesuatu yang begitu penting justru tak terlihat kasat mata.
Not as i expected before, this novel was so brilliant and i just cant stop reading it. "Seamless realism" Seno Gumira Ajidarma (Indonesian Journalist) said. This novel does not make me feel like i was reading a novel... i was into this story, i took a part i ...more

This is one of the best novels in Malay I've ever read, even though I'm not as familiar with Indonesian Malay. Steeped with Indonesian history, this novel sheds a different light on one of Indonesia's darkest history. You know the writer is good when numerous cultural and literature references are used, such as homage to Akira Kurosawa movies, Led Zeppelin, poems from John Keats, and prominent Indonesian works like the Mahabharata.
Overall, a highly recommended read. Looking forward to reading mo ...more
Overall, a highly recommended read. Looking forward to reading mo ...more

Borrowed this novel from a friend and kept postponing to read it. Thought this would be 'heavy.' But, surprisingly, no. The story is sad, bitter, comical, witty, funny, educating mixed together. The cynicism is funny and smart at the same time. It made me laugh. All those references flow naturally. I love the book...until I reached the chapter when Lintang goes to Jakarta. Suddenly the story becomes cheesy romance with unnecessary exaggerated bed scenes. I could just rip the last quarter part of
...more

I've been searching this book for quite a long time and finally had a chance to read it.
Pulang, tidak diragukan lagi akan menjadi salah satu novel dalam negeri favorit saya sepanjang masa.
Sarat pengetahuan sejarah, bahasa yang indah, dan emosional.
After reading it, I'll never see G30SPKI in the same way again. Politik itu kejam, dan sejarawan yang tidak punya idealisme lebih kejam lagi.
I give this book five stars out of five. ...more
Pulang, tidak diragukan lagi akan menjadi salah satu novel dalam negeri favorit saya sepanjang masa.
Sarat pengetahuan sejarah, bahasa yang indah, dan emosional.
After reading it, I'll never see G30SPKI in the same way again. Politik itu kejam, dan sejarawan yang tidak punya idealisme lebih kejam lagi.
I give this book five stars out of five. ...more

"literature is no less important than food, knowledge, and faith as a major sustenance of life" from the acknowledgements section
The third and final section packed quite an emotional wallop. It made the entire book worthwhile. If you get bogged down in the first two sections, stay the course.
I'm a sucker for novels that help me learn about a culture I have had little exposure to. This one did not disappoint. ...more
The third and final section packed quite an emotional wallop. It made the entire book worthwhile. If you get bogged down in the first two sections, stay the course.
I'm a sucker for novels that help me learn about a culture I have had little exposure to. This one did not disappoint. ...more

Uncovering the dark-side of the biggest chaotic massacre ever happened on our nations.
taking the political-prisoner point of view
mixed with the complex love-hate relationship between two person (parent-children, lover, friends)
full with emotions, rage, sadness and strong will to uncover the truth behind the September 30th Incident.
Historical fiction that mixed up up with emotional story?
Surely worth to read.
taking the political-prisoner point of view
mixed with the complex love-hate relationship between two person (parent-children, lover, friends)
full with emotions, rage, sadness and strong will to uncover the truth behind the September 30th Incident.
Historical fiction that mixed up up with emotional story?
Surely worth to read.

Confusing. Cumbersome style, which might be due to the German translation. Unfortunately I don't read Indonesian. In the German version the voices of all first person narrators sound the same, no matter, whether father or daughter, lover or brother tell the story. A real pity, since the plot is a real good and interesting one.
...more

A delicious novel and not just because of the mouthwatering descriptions of food. Chudori delves into questions of identity and belonging against the complex background of the 1965 Indonesian Civil Uprising and its consequent histories. Spanning two generations, Chudori weaves an intricate narrative with vital ingredients of love, politics and growth.
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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Casting buat "Pulang" the Movie | 5 | 99 | Jan 27, 2015 05:21PM | |
Goodreads Indonesia: Bedah Buku @ KFC Coffee bersama Leila S Chudori | 1 | 28 | Jan 07, 2013 06:33PM |
Leila Salikha Chudori adalah penulis Indonesia yang menghasilkan berbagai karya cerita pendek, novel, dan skenario drama televisi.Leila S. Chudori bercerita tentang kejujuran, keyakinan, dan tekad, prinsip dan pengorbanan. Mendapat pengaruh dari bacaan-bacaan dari buku-buku yang disebutnya dalam cerpen-cerpennya yang kita ketahui dari riwayat hidupnya ialah Franz Kafka, pengarang Jerman yang mempe
...more
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