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Literary Fiction· Indonesia

Beauty Is a Wound

by Eka Kurniawan
Aggregate Editorial Score30/100
Published 2002Indonesian
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About This Book

Beauty Is a Wound by Eka Kurniawan is a landmark work of literary fiction, first published in 2002. Beauty Is a Wound is a novel by Eka Kurniawan that combines elements of history, mythology, and magic realism. It tells the story of Dewi Ayu, a prostitute who rises from her grave, and her family, spanning several generations. The novel explores Indonesia's tumultuous history, including colonialism and political violence, through a rich tapestry of characters and events. It is celebrated for its imaginative storytelling and its bold exploration of complex themes. Themes of history, mythology, violence run through the work. The book has received recognition from World Readers Award 2016.

Book Details

AuthorEka Kurniawan
Published2002
Country of Origin🇮🇩 Indonesia
LanguageIndonesian
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780811223638
Editorial Score30/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇮🇩 Indonesia

This book is part of Indonesia's rich literary tradition.

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Editorial Assessment

Eka Kurniawan published Beauty Is a Wound in 2002, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of literary fiction from Indonesia. The book's treatment of history, mythology, violence, family accounts for much of its enduring reputation. Critics and institutions have consistently placed Beauty Is a Wound among the notable works of its period. Among its recognitions: World Readers Award 2016. Our aggregate score of 30/100 is compiled from 1 editorial sources that range from Nobel and Booker committees to leading literary journals. What distinguishes Beauty Is a Wound is how it handles its central concerns — history, mythology, violence, family — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. Eka Kurniawan's role in the literature of Indonesia is well established. Beauty Is a Wound can be read as both a standalone achievement and as part of a broader national literary conversation about identity, history, and the possibilities of narrative form.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

NYT Best Sellers
notable · global
20150
✍️
About the Author
Eka Kurniawan
Indonesia
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Eka Kurniawan is a Indonesia author whose work in literary fiction has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Beauty Is a Wound about?

Beauty Is a Wound is a novel by Eka Kurniawan that combines elements of history, mythology, and magic realism. It tells the story of Dewi Ayu, a prostitute who rises from her grave, and her family, spanning several generations. The novel explores Indonesia's tumultuous history, including colonialism and political violence, through a rich tapestry of characters and events. It is celebrated for its imaginative storytelling and its bold exploration of complex themes.

Who wrote Beauty Is a Wound?

Beauty Is a Wound was written by Eka Kurniawan, from Indonesia. First published in 2002.

What awards has Beauty Is a Wound won?

Beauty Is a Wound has received the following recognition: World Readers Award 2016.

Is Beauty Is a Wound worth reading?

Beauty Is a Wound is a well-regarded book with an aggregate editorial score of 30/100 on 50 Best Books. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in history, mythology, violence.

Where can I buy Beauty Is a Wound?

You can buy Beauty Is a Wound on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is Beauty Is a Wound?

Beauty Is a Wound is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is Beauty Is a Wound from?

Beauty Is a Wound originates from Indonesia's literary tradition. Explore more books from Indonesia on our country page.

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