8 Best and Most Popular Indonesian Historical Novels, Must Be Included in the Reading List

Max Havelaar becomes one of the most phenomenal historical novels in Indonesia. Written by a Dutch writer named Eduard Douwes Dekker under the pen name Multatuli. During the Dutch colonial period, he was one of the Dutch government officials. However, in his novel, he did not hesitate to write about what actually happened. How the oppression experienced by the people during the colonial period, everything is written very boldly.

Not only during the colonial period, the novel Amba by Laksmi Pamuntjak uses the events of G30S as the background of the story. This novel tells the story of the love relationship between Amba and Bhisma. The chaotic political situation at that time made their relationship ambiguous. This novel also tells the story of life in exile on Buru Island at that time. A story that will drain the reader's emotions.

Leila S. Chudori is one of the authors who has produced several historical novels. One of the novels is titled Pulang. This novel tells the story of a political prisoner named Dimas who is trapped in France. Being able to return to the homeland is his biggest desire. In France, Dimas has a daughter from his marriage to a native French woman. The life of his child as the child of a political prisoner is equally dilemmatic.

Laut Bercerita is also a recommended historical novel by Leila S. Chudori that should not be missed. This novel tells the events of 1998, when freedom of the people was suppressed. The main character in this book is named Biru Laut, who becomes one of the activists who is eventually arrested and subjected to various tortures. What Laut experiences not only tortures himself but also the people around him, including his younger sister Asmara Jati who later tries to uncover history and demand the truth.

If you are looking for a recommendation for a historical novel with a romantic story, The Sinking of the Van Der Wijk Ship could be the answer. This novel is written with the background of the tragedy of the sinking of the Van Der Wick ship in the waters of East Java. The story of this novel begins with the love story of Zainudin and Hayati, which is hindered by customs. But fate always seems to bring them together, even though they cannot be united.

Next on the list of historical novel recommendations is a novel titled Beauty Is a Wound. This novel by Eka Kurniawan tells the story of a character named Dewi Ayu, who is beautiful and charming. Dewi Ayu is a woman of Dutch descent who lives in colonial times. Dewi Ayu is known for her beauty, but ironically, her beauty leads her to a painful life. Dewi falls into prostitution and gives birth to children who are equally beautiful and unfortunate. Until finally, she prays to give birth to her last child who is ugly.

Gadis Kretek is also a novel with a mandatory historical background to read. This Ratih Kumala novel tells the story of a Javanese family during the colonial era. The story begins when the father of the family, named Pak Soerja, is dying and wants to meet a woman named Jeng Yah. This request then makes the wife jealous and the family chaotic. The children then start looking for Jeng Yah. But unexpectedly, the journey to find Jeng Yah leads them to something unexpected.

Bumi Manusia is one of the recommended historical novels that must be included in the reading list. This novel tells the story of a Javanese man of priyayi descent called Minke. As a priyayi, he has the opportunity to attend a European school, so his social circle is wide. Minke, who is critical, sees all the feudalism practices of colonial society. One day, Minke is attracted to a girl of Dutch descent. However, what he has all this time is not enough to live happily with his beloved. Everything is in vain because of the established order of life in the colonial era.