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Historical Fiction· Indonesia

The Dancer

by Ahmad Tohari
Aggregate Editorial Score30/100
Published 1982Indonesian
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About This Book

When Ahmad Tohari published The Dancer in 1982, it quickly found its place in the broader tradition of historical fiction. The Dancer is a novel by Ahmad Tohari that paints a vivid picture of rural Javanese life during the 1960s. It follows the story of Srintil, a young dancer, and explores themes of tradition, power, and social change. The novel is acclaimed for its rich depiction of Javanese culture and its critical examination of the political upheavals in Indonesia during that era. Themes of tradition, power, social change run through the work.

Book Details

AuthorAhmad Tohari
Published1982
Country of Origin🇮🇩 Indonesia
LanguageIndonesian
Category🗺️ Historical Fiction
ISBN9789799731234
Editorial Score30/100
About the Category

🗺️ Historical Fiction

Novels set in the past, blending real events with fictional narratives.

Explore all Historical Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇮🇩 Indonesia

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

Explore books from Indonesia →

Editorial Assessment

Ahmad Tohari published The Dancer in 1982, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of historical fiction from Indonesia. The book's treatment of tradition, power, social change, culture accounts for much of its enduring reputation. Critics and institutions have consistently placed The Dancer among the notable works of its period. Our aggregate score of 30/100 is compiled from 1 editorial sources that range from Nobel and Booker committees to leading literary journals. The appeal of The Dancer lies partly in its refusal to offer easy answers. Its exploration of tradition, power, social change, culture is sustained, textured, and genuinely thought-provoking in ways that stay with readers well after the final page. Within Indonesia's literary landscape, Ahmad Tohari occupies a significant position. The Dancer is both a personal artistic statement and a contribution to a tradition shaped by the country's history and cultural concerns.
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

BBC Big Read
list · global
20040
✍️
About the Author
Ahmad Tohari
Indonesia
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Ahmad Tohari is a Indonesia author whose work in historical fiction has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Dancer about?

The Dancer is a novel by Ahmad Tohari that paints a vivid picture of rural Javanese life during the 1960s. It follows the story of Srintil, a young dancer, and explores themes of tradition, power, and social change. The novel is acclaimed for its rich depiction of Javanese culture and its critical examination of the political upheavals in Indonesia during that era.

Who wrote The Dancer?

The Dancer was written by Ahmad Tohari, from Indonesia. First published in 1982.

What awards has The Dancer won?

The Dancer has received the following recognition: notable critical recognition.

Is The Dancer worth reading?

The Dancer 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 tradition, power, social change.

Where can I buy The Dancer?

You can buy The Dancer on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is The Dancer?

The Dancer is classified as Historical Fiction. Novels set in the past, blending real events with fictional narratives.

What country is The Dancer from?

The Dancer originates from Indonesia's literary tradition. Explore more books from Indonesia on our country page.

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