Including the Book 'Laut Bercerita', Here Are 5 Novels Set Against the Tragedy of 1998

Kapanlagi.com - The 1998 reform event became one of the important moments in Indonesian history. This tragedy not only left a deep mark on society but also inspired various literary works, one of which is the book Laut Bercerita by Laila S. Chudori.

As a work of literature, the book Laut Bercerita attempts to immortalize the struggles, pain, and hopes of that time. However, the book Laut Bercerita is not the only novel that uses this poignant tragedy as its backdrop. It turns out there are other novels that also feature the theme of the 1998 tragedy, presenting stories with the humanitarian values of the events.

If you want to understand more deeply about the 1998 reform through literary works, here is a list of novels that deserve to be on your reading list.

1. The Sea Tells (Leila S. Chudori)

The Sea Tells (credit: goodreads)

The book The Sea Tells by Leila S. Chudori is a must-read for those who want to understand the tragedy of 1998 from an emotional perspective. This novel is divided into two parts, each narrated from a different point of view.

The first part focuses on Biru Laut, an activist involved in the struggle against the New Order regime. You will feel the spirit, fear, and suffering experienced by Laut and his group. Arrests, torture, and loss become inseparable parts of this story.

Meanwhile, in the second part, the story unfolds through the perspective of Asmara Jati, Laut's sister. From this viewpoint, you are invited to delve into the grief of a family that has lost its child without knowing their whereabouts. Through these two perspectives, The Sea Tells offers a comprehensive depiction of the tragedy of humanity and the struggle against injustice.

2. Home (Leila S. Chudori)

Home (credit: goodreads)

Another work by the author of the book The Sea Tells, Leila S. Chudori, which also raises the theme of 1998, is the novel Home. Also addressing Indonesia's dark historical themes, Home uses the time span from 1965 to 1998 as its backdrop.

This novel tells the story of Dimas Suryo, a journalist who becomes a fugitive due to his closeness to the leftist group. Eventually, he settles in Paris, opens an Indonesian restaurant, and lives in exile.

The story becomes even more intriguing when in 1998, Lintang Utara, Dimas's daughter, returns to Jakarta for research. However, she becomes a witness to the May 1998 tragedy. Through Home, you will be invited to understand the long-term effects of historical events on the next generation, as well as how trauma and struggle continue to exist amid changing times.

3. Soul Restraint (Okky Madasari)

Soul Binding (credit: goodreads)

Next, there is Soul Restraint as a literary work similar to the book The Sea Speaks because both use the backdrop of the 1998 tragedy. Soul Restraint is a work by Okky Madasari that stirs your heart to see the reality of reform from a different perspective. This novel touches on various issues such as injustice, the silencing of the people's voices, and the widening social gap.

The characters in Soul Restraint represent marginalized people, both economically and socially. You will find stories about factory workers, the fate of women, and small communities struggling against injustice. Through a straightforward writing style, Okky Madasari successfully presents a complex and real narrative, providing profound moral lessons to her readers.

4. The Man in the Rain (Wenri Wanhar)

The Man in the Rain (credit: goodreads)

The novel The Man in the Rain takes you into the struggles of students often forgotten in the grand narrative of the 1998 reform. The main character, Bujang Parewa, is a student at UNS who leads the student movement against the New Order regime.

Bujang's journey is full of challenges, from threats from authorities to great sacrifices in his life. You will see how the struggle of activists involves not only physical courage but also mental strength. With a strong historical background, this novel pays tribute to the reform heroes who acted in silence.

5. Notation (Nora Quatro)

Notation (credit: magdalane.co)

If you are looking for a novel that combines history and romance, Notation by Nora Quatro could be a choice. Set against the backdrop of the 1998 reform riots, this novel tells the love story between Nino, an Electrical Engineering student, and Nalia, a Dentistry student at UGM.

This novel, thematically similar to the book The Sea Speaks, not only depicts the struggle of students against the authorities but also weaves in issues of discrimination against the Chinese ethnic group, media suppression, and police violence. The peak tension of the reform intertwines with a tragic love story, making Notation an emotional read.

These are among five novels that raise the tragedy of 1998 as a backdrop. The five novels above can not only be interesting reads but also provide insights into the deeper understanding of the 1998 reform struggle. Each novel presents a unique perspective that can enrich your knowledge and empathy towards the past that shaped Indonesia today.

So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and add the above novels along with the book The Sea Speaks to your reading list. If not now, when?

(kpl/psp)