Indonesia has just been the guest of honor at the Frankfurt Book Fair, and a series of recent novels that revolve around the mass killings of 1965, one of the worst massacres since World War II, carried the highest honors. One of Indonesia’s most accomplished writers and journalist, Leila S. Chudori will discuss the significance of the renewed attention on 1965 and what it means for Indonesia’s struggling but vibrant democracy. She will also talk about her own writing and how it fits in Indonesia’s contested and lively cultural life.

Leila S. Chudori's latest novel, Home, has just been published in English by Deep Vellum. Home is a literary breakthrough since it revolves around the mass killing of 1965, a long-taboo subject. Home received the prestigious Khatulistiwa Literary Prize. Chudori works at Tempo, Indonesia’s foremost news magazine, and has published two collections of short stories.

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