BOOK LAUNCHES
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Left Unsaid – Margo O’Byrne
Left Unsaid is an authentic story of survival and courage told with compassion and humour. It gives a refined perspective of childhood suffering and endurance, wrapped in strong themes of alcoholism, silence, poverty, deceit, neglect and abuse. It provides a searing account of the systems and authorities of the 1960s and represents a missing narrative in Australia’s social history, the voice of a half a million children who grew up in care. The book is an act of resilience in and of itself. Published by South Beach Publications WEDNESDAY 7 OCTOBER |
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Not A Muse- Edited by Kate Rogers and Viki Holmes.
Not a Muse is a richly satisfying anthology for, and about, the 21st-century woman. More than 100 exciting poets from 24 countries have contributed to this wide-reaching collection. Their origins include: Australia, Canada, Cuba, Denmark, Egypt, France, the UK, Germany, Guam, Hong Kong, Korea, India, Indonesia, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Scotland, South Africa, USA, Wales, and Lebanon. Vibrant verse from literary luminaries such as Margaret Atwood, Sharon Olds, Erica Jong, Lorna Crozier, Elisabeth Harvor, Rati Saxena, Anindita Sengupta, Louise Ho, Eileen R. Tabios, Agnes Lam, Fatima Naoot, Pascale Petit, Rose Flint, Luisa A. Igloria, Michelle Cahill, Menna Elfyn—and many others. Preface by Laksmi Pamuntjak. Published by Haven Books Not a Muse_PRESS_RELEASE SATURDAY 10 OCTOBER |
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INDONESIA RISING - Dr Nasir Tamara
Indonesia Rising documents the key social, economic and political developments in Indonesia following “Reformasi” and democratisation. It covers the changes that have occurred in areas as diverse as the political system, military, bureaucracy, technology, industry, foreign policy, the economy, media and the arts. Regarded world-wide as an Indonesian expert, Dr. Tamara explains how democracy has been the fundamental force that has allowed Indonesia to recover from the deep crises of 1998 to rise as a regional power, bringing progress and change to the archipaelago. FRIDAY 9 OCTOBER |
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Sutasoma - Cok Sawitri
This novel, Sutasoma, based on an ancient story, is a vivid account of an individuals struggle caught up in a chaotic situation and also in the midst of political intrigue. This novel challenges readers to think, to make an interpretation about the novel’s characters. All of the characters take on a unique role and have intrinsic motivations which are interelated to one another. The main conflicts, namely between Jayantaka and Sutasoma, are located in this chaotic situation. The novel also describes the process of yoga practice in the tradition of tantra, representated by Jayantaka. On the other hand, Sutasoma, in his efforts to know himself spiritually, takes another way – he retreats to the mountain and, surprisingly, makes a good relationship with Belawa, a friend of Jayantaka. Their conflicts, however, not only reveal about their struggle for power, but also debates about ideology (dharma negara), religious law (dharma agama), and about how religion is manipulated by some scholars for their vested interests. However, this novel is not an invitation to take one position or another. The novel leads readers to carefully identify events and characters in the story and then compare them with realities of their everyday life in contemporary contexts. This is a kind of satire, is critical and at the same time gives room for the readers to free themselves. Sutasoma promises to capture the imagination of readers. THURSDAY 8 OCTOBER |
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The Proper Care of Foxes - Wena Poon
Wena Poon’s first book, Lions In Winter, was listed for both the Irish Frank O’Connor Award and the Singapore Literature Prize. In The Proper Care of Foxes, she explores chance encounters and impossible romances between young men and women in the culturally-fluent Internet Age. At once trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific, the Singapore-born American author defies current categories of literary fiction. Instead, she creates a quirky yet confident new sound that travels from Austin, Texas to Hanoi, Vietnam, hitting every major city in between. The effect is electrifying. Published by Ethos Books Web: www.propercareoffoxes.com SATURDAY 10 OCTOBER |
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“DIVING INDONESIA’S RAJA AMPAT – The Planet’s Most Bio-diverse Reefs” – Burt Jones and Maureen Shimlock
International renowned marine life photojournalists Burt Jones and Maurine Shimlock will present a captivating multi media underwater tour of Raja Ampat in conjunction with the launch of their book, Diving Indonesia’s Raja Ampat. Burt and Maurine’s work developed from Conservation International’s Indonesia Marine Program, and surveys the region’s wealth of dive sites and topside attractions. Because of its unprecedented marine biodiversity, Raja Ampat has become the focus of a wide range of conservation initiatives in recent years, and this book aims to raise awareness of Raja Ampat’s value locally and internationally. While mining and illegal fishing have damaged some marine habitats, and construction of modern infrastructure threatens fragile coastal environments, conservation efforts are countering these risks with practical, science-backed plans and attention to local needs. The Raja Ampat entrance fee primarily funds village projects, especially health care, among Raja Ampat’s far-flung communities. This integrated approach is designed to ensure that Raja Ampat, the planet’s heart of marine biodiversity, not only survives but flourishes. Published by Saritaksu Editions and sponsored by Conservation International, Indonesia. FRIDAY 9 OCTOBER |
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Dragons in the Bath- Cat Wheeler
Canadian writer Cat Wheeler retired to Ubud after a decade in Singapore to find herself dealing with the many quirks and delights of life in a traditional Balinese community. Besides the cross-cultural adventures there’s a haunted riverbank at her doorstep, rampageous wildlife in the garden, mysterious potions in the kitchen and a colourful cast of dogs, parrots, pigs and other creatures. ‘Dragons in the Bath’ chronicles life at the ground level in rural Bali with warmth and humour, offering a window to a fascinating world most visitors will never see. Published by Tokay Press THURSDAY 8 OCTOBER |
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Inspector Singh investigates: A Bali Conspiracy Most Foul- Shamini Flint
Inspector Singh is back, but this time on secondment to Bali. A bomb has exploded and Singh has been sent to help with anti-terrorism efforts. But there’s a slight problem: he knows squat about hunting terrorists. He’s much better suited to solving murder. So when a body is discovered in the wreckage, killed by a bullet before the bomb went off, Singh should be the one to find the answers – especially with the help of a wily Australian copper by his side. But simple murders are never as simple as they seem – and this one has far-reaching global consequences … “Down these mean streets a man must waddle … It’s impossible not to warm to the portly, sweating, dishevelled, wheezing Inspector Singh from the start of this delightful debut novel.” – The Guardian Published by Piatkus SUNDAY 11 OCTOBER |
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The Love Offering of The Ocean Man – Dino Umahuk
The Love Offering of The Ocean Man is the third anthology by Dino Umahuk that includes 111 poems that he wrote from November 2008 until August 2009. Dino has previously launched The Metaphor of the Ocean’s Passion (February 2008) and A Man Who Walks On the Ocean (February 2009). Published by Tinta Pena & Ummu Press SATURDAY 10 OCTOBER |
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The Homeland Narration “Ternate’s Poets Anthology”
Several of Ternate’s poets have come together to explore themes of culture, politics, spiritual, humanity and love. Some use their local language from different parts of Maluku. These established and emerging poets come from varied backgrounds including academia, local councils, government employees and activists. This is the first anthology of poetry written by Northern Maluku poets and supports the passion of art & literature that has been dormant for a long time on this king’s land. Published by Tinta Pena & Ummu Press SATURDAY 10 OCTOBER |
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‘Teman Hutan’ Friend of the Forest – Captain Freddie
“Teman Hutan/Friend of the Forest” is a picture book story that has been written and illustrated by Federico Joaquin Elizalde, aka Captain Freddie, for the Sumatran Orangutan Society (SOS) and the Orangutan Information Centre of Sumatra (OIC). It has been translated into Indonesian and is presented as a bilingual book. The story is about Pongo the Orangutan, how he lives in the forest, how similar he is to humankind, from his behavior to his DNA. More importantly, the book points out that orangutans help reforest the jungle by eating mass quantities of fruit and dispersing seeds throughout the forest. As reforestation projects can be costly, instead people could try to support the orangutan carry on with their jobs that they do for free, naturally. The book will be distributed for free to local schools and villages in Sumatra to promote awareness of the plight of the orangutan and the deforestation of Sumatra. Published by Orangutan Information Centre and SOS FRIDAY 9 OCTOBER |
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Bocan Muslim Di Negeri James Bond -Imran Ahmad
This Indonesian translation of Unimagined is a hilarious and captivating memoir of a Muslim boy born in Pakistan, who moves to London aged one and grows up torn between his Islamic identity and his desire to embrace the West. Deliciously funny and painfully insightful. Published by Mizan SUNDAY 11 OCTOBER |
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The Forgotten Massacre – Peer Holm Jørgensen
Peer Holm Jørgensen has written a sympathetic suspense novel based on his own experiences as a ship’s cook in the east-where ‘the dawn comes up like thunder over China ‘cross the Bay’ and the Ten Commandments do not apply. All lightness aside, “The Forgotten Massacre” is a shocking human account of organized inhumanity. However, it is also a gentle and sensible novel of the development of a young man’s turbulent and traumatized years in a world of war and catastrophe. It is this part of the novel that feels best-getting much too grown-up, much too fast in a bloody time period. By chance Peer was in Jakarta in September 1965. In “The Forgotten Massacre” offers a different, very different, view of one of the darkest periods in the Indonesian history. Published by Mizan THURSDAY 8 OCTOBER |
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The Child within the Lotus- Human Behaviour from Birth
Margaret Stephenson Meere The Child Within the Lotus is a groundbreaking spiritual parenting guide from the author of the bestselling Baby’s First 100 Days. Blending current western knowledge with eastern wisdom, the book demystifies baby behaviour to empower new parents to effectively guide and nurture a child physically, emotionally and spiritually through their stages of growth. It is both an essential parenting resource and an inspirational guide that seeks to foster emotional as well as physical well-being. This is a book for everyone, whether you are parenting a little child, considering having a child or even thinking about your own childhood and wanting to parent your own personal development. Author Margaret Stephenson Meere is a qualified midwife and Early Childhood and Family Health Nurse who specialised in assisting parents to cope with newborns, infants and young children. Rockpool Publishing THURSDAY 8 OCTOBER |
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Green Leaves on a Passing Wind
- Manaf Hamzah International Publishers Forum, in cooperation with the Obor Foundation, the National Arts Council of Singapore and the Republic of Singapore Embassy, will launch the novel Dedaun Hijau di Angin Lalu (Green Leaves on a Passing Wind). At the launch Singapore author Manaf Hamzah will speak about the novel’s plotline. Maman Mahayana, the book’s translator will speak about the challenges of translating the novel from Malay into Indonesian. GAYA ART FUSION
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Ox-tales-UK authors
Ox-tales is four volumes of short stories featuring 38 of the UK’s top authors, (including Hari Kunzu) which was published in July to raise money for Oxfam’s work around the world. Each collection of Ox-Tales is formed around one of the four elements, to highlight the work of Oxfam’s projects, including Earth (from land rights to farming), Air (campaigning to combat climate change), Fire (supporting victims of conflict) and Water (providing safe water in emergencies) Oxfam works with others to overcome poverty and suffering anywhere in the world. Oxfam has been working in Indonesia for more than 50 years. Oxfam GB is a member of Oxfam International and a company limited by guarantee registered in England No. 612172. Hari Kunzru will launch Ox-tales on |
