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Cover of The Javanese Girl
Young Adult· Suriname

The Javanese Girl

by Henna Goudzand Nahar
Aggregate Editorial Score30/100
Published 2008Dutch
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About This Book

Henna Goudzand Nahar's The Javanese Girl (2008) stands as one of the most significant works of young adult of its era. Henna Goudzand Nahar's 'The Javanese Girl' tells the story of a young girl growing up in a Javanese community in Suriname. Through her eyes, readers experience the cultural richness and challenges faced by the Javanese diaspora. This novel is a heartfelt exploration of cultural identity and the generational conflicts that arise within immigrant families. Themes of cultural identity, immigration, family run through the work.

Book Details

AuthorHenna Goudzand Nahar
Published2008
Country of Origin🇸🇷 Suriname
LanguageDutch
Category🌟 Young Adult
ISBN9789045106807
Editorial Score30/100
About the Category

🌟 Young Adult

Fiction and non-fiction written primarily for teenage readers.

Explore all Young Adult books →
Country of Origin

🇸🇷 Suriname

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

Explore books from Suriname →

Editorial Assessment

First published in 2008, Henna Goudzand Nahar's The Javanese Girl is a work of young adult that has drawn sustained interest from critics and prize committees alike. Its engagement with cultural identity, immigration, family, tradition gives the book a depth that extends well beyond its genre. The book's place in the literary record rests on its presence across major prize lists and critical surveys. Its aggregate editorial score of 30/100 reflects recognition from 1 independent editorial sources, from international prizes to specialist critical journals. What distinguishes The Javanese Girl is how it handles its central concerns — cultural identity, immigration, family, tradition — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. Henna Goudzand Nahar's role in the literature of Suriname is well established. The Javanese Girl 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

Goodreads Choice Award
notable · regional
20090
✍️
About the Author
Henna Goudzand Nahar
Suriname
View Author →

Henna Goudzand Nahar is a Suriname author whose work in young adult has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Javanese Girl about?

Henna Goudzand Nahar's 'The Javanese Girl' tells the story of a young girl growing up in a Javanese community in Suriname. Through her eyes, readers experience the cultural richness and challenges faced by the Javanese diaspora. This novel is a heartfelt exploration of cultural identity and the generational conflicts that arise within immigrant families.

Who wrote The Javanese Girl?

The Javanese Girl was written by Henna Goudzand Nahar, from Suriname. First published in 2008.

What awards has The Javanese Girl won?

The Javanese Girl has received the following recognition: notable critical recognition.

Is The Javanese Girl worth reading?

The Javanese Girl 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 cultural identity, immigration, family.

Where can I buy The Javanese Girl?

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

What category is The Javanese Girl?

The Javanese Girl is classified as Young Adult. Fiction and non-fiction written primarily for teenage readers.

What country is The Javanese Girl from?

The Javanese Girl originates from Suriname's literary tradition. Explore more books from Suriname on our country page.

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