Cover of the book Beauty Is a Wound
Critically acclaimed
Buy on Amazon

Already read? Rate it!

Beauty Is a Wound

byEka Kurniawan

Who is this book for? Readers interested in complex narratives that blend history, satire, and family drama with a touch of magical realism.

Topics FamilyHistorySurvival
MoodDark, Humorous, Reflective
Female protagonist
HumorOccasional Humor
RomanceMajor Subplot
ViolenceGraphic/Explicit
Explicit scenesExplicit Scenes
"The English-language debut of Indonesia's greatest young novelist, Eka Kurniawan: "without a doubt the most original, imaginatively profound, and elegant writer of fiction in Indonesia today: its brightest and most unexpected meteorite" (Benedict Anderson). One afternoon on a weekend in May, Dewi Ayu rose from her grave after being dead for twenty-one years. So begins Beauty Is a Wound, an epic, sweeping, compulsively readable novel, combining history, satire, family tragedy, legend, humor, and romance in a sweeping polyphony. It is also a highly political book. Revolving around the beautiful Indo prostitute Dewi Ayu and her four daughters, various plotlines incorporate incest, murder, bestiality, rape, insanity, monstrosity, and the often vengeful undead. Kurniawan's gleefully grotesque hyperbole functions as a scathing critique of his young nation's troubled past. The rapacious offhand greed of colonialism; the chaotic struggle for independence; the 1965 mass murders of perhaps a million "Communists," and the three decades of Suharto's despotic rule that followed. The bravura resilience on display here makes Beauty Is a Wound a luscious yet astringent product of the art blossoming since the fall of Suharto. Kurniawan's distinctive West Javanese voice will be entirely new to American readers, and its local sources (the all night shadow puppet plays, with their bawdy wit and epic scope; the famous local folk tales) will astonish, but Kurniawan draws as well on his favorite world writers, Melville, Gogol, Hamsun, and Marquez"--

Language

en

Published on

22/09/2015

Pages

470

Format

Paperback

ISBN

9780811223638

Price Comparison

Books similar to Beauty Is a Wound

If you enjoyed readingBeauty Is a Wound by Eka Kurniawan, you may also like some of the following books.


Quirky Small-Town Tales

Quirky Small-Town Tales offer a delightful escape into communities where charm and eccentricity abound. Readers will enjoy stories filled with colorful characters and unexpected adventures in quaint settings.

Show all

Everyday Heroism

Everyday Heroism highlights ordinary individuals performing extraordinary acts. These stories celebrate courage and resilience in the face of daily challenges, offering inspiration and hope.

Show all

Survivors' Chronicles

Survivors' Chronicles tell the inspiring stories of those who have overcome significant challenges. These powerful narratives highlight resilience and hope, resonating with readers who value strength and perseverance.

Show all

Historical fiction

Step back in time with our captivating selection of historical fiction books. From the intrigue of the Renaissance to the tumultuous eras of the twentieth century, these narratives bring history to life with vivid storytelling and rich detail.

Show all

Fiction

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of fiction books, where every page invites you into a new universe. From heartwarming tales of quirky small towns to gripping narratives of modern love dilemmas, our collection offers something for every reader.

Show all

Award Winning Literature

Step into the world of **Award Winning Literature books**, where every page resonates with excellence and acclaim. These books have not only captured the hearts of readers but have also been recognized by prestigious literary awards.

Show all