29 Best Books About Indonesia
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Don’t miss these books set in Indonesia to spark your wanderlust. Discover fiction and nonfiction books about Indonesia to teach you more.
Are you headed to one of Indonesia’s 1,750+ islands and looking for books about Indonesia to read before you go?
Back in the day, I lived in Indonesia. I taught English in a public high school in Depok as part of the U.S. Fulbright Program, which I highly recommend for graduating undergrads or those considering graduate school.
Before packing up my life and moving across the world, I studied Bahasa Indonesia via flashcards and podcasts. I also began reading translated Indonesian novels and watching movies set in Indonesia.
Of course, I also couldn’t resist reading Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love as well as watching The Year Of Living Dangerously.
While living outside of Jakarta, I discovered more beautiful and poignant Indonesian books, including The Rainbow Troops. I also began reading more famous Indonesian authors like Andrea Hirata and Pramoedya Anata Toer.
Today, I crave finding more and more amazing contemporary Indonesian writers, including Eka Kurniawan, Nh. Dini, and Laksmi Pamuntjak.
So, what are some of the best books set in Indonesia to read before you go?
Below, find Indonesian writers, ex-pat and vacationers’ experiences, books set in Bali, and nonfiction books about Indonesia to enhance your next Indonesian vacation. Let’s get started!
Don’t forget to watch these Indonesian movies, too.
Grab your favorite Indonesian novels here:
- Audible Plus: From Amazon, listen to Amazon Originals, podcasts, and audiobooks. They add new titles every week.
- Book of the Month: Get the month’s hottest new and upcoming titles from Book of the Month. You might snag an early release or debut author. Along with selecting a book a month, find terrific add-ons, both trendy and lesser-known titles.
- Amazon Prime Video – Stream thousands of ad-free movies and TV series on demand with Prime Video.
- Express VPN – Using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) allows you to view movies worldwide – and they help keep your information safe. Our writers couldn’t have such diverse film reviews without using a VPN.
Table of Contents
Best Books Set In Indonesia
This Earth Of Mankind by Pramoedya Ananta Toer
Pramoedya Ananta Toer is one of the most famous Javanese authors. His writing focuses on post-independent Indonesia from Dutch colonial rule.
This Earth Of Mankind is the first in Pramoedya Ananta Toer’s Buru Quartet. He wrote–well, narrated–the Indonesian novel while imprisoned as a political dissident on the island of Buru.
This Earth Of Mankind follows the story of Minke and his love for Annelies, a descendant of Javanese royalty, as he navigates life and marriage under colonialism.
In the 1980s, the Attorney General of Indonesia banned the novel for promoting Communism. Amazon | Goodreads
More Books About Indonesia By Pramoedya Ananta Toer
Child Of All Nations (Book 2)
Footsteps (Book 3)
House Of Glass (Book 4)
The Girl From The Coast
The Rainbow Troops by Andrea Hirata
While living in Indonesia one of my friends, Angie Kilbane, had recently translated The Rainbow Troops by Andrea Hirata.
Of course, I had to pick up a copy of this autobiographical story about the boys deemed the ‘Rainbow Troops.”
An inspiring Indonesian novel set on Belitong Island, watch as these impoverished students and their teacher, Lintang, fight for their educations and futures.
The Rainbow Troops evokes the ambiance and daily life in Indonesia in both its struggles, including corruption, and beauty. Watch as the narrator, Ikal, comes of age. Amazon | Goodreads
More From Indonesian Author, Andrea Hirata:
One of my former Indonesian students also recommends Sang Pemimpi (The Dreamer) by Andrea Hirata.
Save These Books Set In Indonesia For Later:
Man Tiger by Eka Kurniawan
One of the more contemporary Indonesian novels set on the coast, Man Tiger incorporates magical realism with storytelling and mystery.
Within Margio lies a white tiger. Beginning with a murder in a Javanese village, readers watch as he hits his breaking point with the tensions happening around him in society.
Some have deemed Eka Kurniawan the next Pramoedya Ananta Toer. Man Tiger is definitely on my to-read list based on friends’ recommendations. Man Tiger also made the Man Booker International longlist in 2016. Amazon | Goodreads
Read even more island-based books.
More Books By Indonesian Author, Eka Kurniawan
Beauty Is A Wound
Kitchen Curse
Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash
The Year Of Living Dangerously by Christopher Koch
Also a movie, The Year Of Living Dangerously is a book set in Jakarta, Indonesia in the 1960s. The Communist Party of Indonesia is on the verge of staging a coup. Koch provides a highly fictionalized account of these events.
Surrounded by chaos and violence, Guy Hamilton–and Australian journalist–and Billy Kwan–a Chinese-Australian photojournalist–fall for a British diplomat.
Among rising political tension, find themes of loyalty, identity, and disillusionment. Amazon | Goodreads
More Notable Books Set In Indonesia
Saman by Aya Utami
Before Dawn by Sapardi Djoko Damono (Indonesian poetry)
Books About Indonesia & Indonesian Culture
Dial A For Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Dial A For Aunties is one of the most unique and fun fictional books about Indonesia, especially in regard to culture and immigration.
This multicultural murder rom-com is set in California, though.
Meddy’s family is Chinese-Indonesian.
She frequently shares her experiences learning multiple languages, navigating different cultures, and moving to America – where her aunts and mother start a wedding business.
Working as a photographer for the family business, Meddy never wants to disappoint her mom. And of course, her family wants to see her happily dating.
In effect, Meddy’s mother sets her up on a blind internet date. Not a spoiler, but Meddy accidentally kills the guy – twice.
Not sure who to call, Meddy heads home to her aunts and mother with her date’s body in the trunk. They are there to help.
With an upcoming ritzy wedding, the family needs to hide the body and pull off one stellar wedding day without getting caught.
It doesn’t help that Meddy’s first love is the hotel manager, and somehow the body is at the hotel.
Can Meddy keep herself out of jail and find love?
Knowing basic Bahasa Indonesia, we loved seeing familiar phrases throughout this novel. Meddy’s family is sweet, hilarious, and just the best.
This is by far one of our favorite lighter Indonesian novels and a fun novel about weddings.
Read even more books that take place at resorts and hotels. Amazon | Goodreads
Departures by Nh. Dini
One of my former students recommended Indonesian novelist, Nh. Dini. I had been eyeing Dini’s Departures that published in 2014.
Elisa is a flight attendant for Indonesian Airlines. Like many after Indonesia’s independence, Elisa is struggling to find her identity.
While searching for her birth father, she is also hoping to find happiness and belonging in her marriage. Amazon | Goodreads
The Birdwoman’s Palate by Laksmi Pamuntjak
A more contemporary novel set in Indonesia, The Birdwoman’s Palate promises a culinary tour around the country. Head to Jakarta, Medan, Surabaya, and Palembang — all cities that I’ve visited while living there.
Aruna is an epidemiologist researching sporadic bird flu cases around Indonesia. As she travels across the islands with her friends, she begins to learn more about Indonesia and herself. Amazon | Goodreads
You may also enjoy The Question of Red by Laksmi Pamuntjak — a book set in Indonesia and a saga based on the story of Amba from the Mahabharata.
Read more on our books with colors in the titles reading list.
Paper Boats by Dee Lestari
Kugy loves to write and float paper boats filled with her letters out to sea. At the University of Bandung, Kugy is reunited with her friend Noni and also introduced to Keenan.
Because she has a boyfriend, Kugy denies her feelings for Keenan. Eventually, Kugy moves on both graduating and finding a more ‘practical’ job than writing.
Years later, Kugy and Keenan see each other again at Noni’s wedding, forcing them to reconcile their feelings, relationships, and the past. Amazon | Goodreads
TBR Indonesian Novels
I’ve been eyeing The Original Dream by Nukila Amal, but I’ve read such mixed reviews. I don’t always love magical realism. Goodreads
Books Set In Bali, Indonesia
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
If you are looking for a famous book set in Bali, you have probably already heard of Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love. Gilbert heads to India, Indonesia, and Italy in search of finding herself and overcoming an awful divorce.
I can see your eye rolls at this book suggestion. Fair enough, but confession: I do love the premise for Eat, Pray, Love.
Although a bit clichéd, I have no shame in admitting that I appreciated and related to Gilbert’s journey of self-love and reflection. I didn’t enjoy the movie version as much.
On a more personal note, a bunch of the female Fulbrighters and I read Eat, Pray, Love before heading to Indonesia.
When we all met up in Ubud, Bali for birthday celebrations, we went to see the Wayan. (‘Wayan’ is a Balinese name signifying ‘eldest.’)
A magical experience, we were totally fangirling. Plus, we had some ominous health and fortunes told…
Eat, Pray, Love is a nonfiction memoir that is perfect if you are looking for inspiration abroad or wanting to find love, friendship, and family amongst the rice paddies in Bali. Amazon | Goodreads
You can also travel to Italy with these books.
A House In Bali by Colin McPhee
The musical and theatrical performances in Bali and across Indonesia are captivating, educational, and magical. If you are looking specifically for musical books about Indonesia, try A House In Bali.
Canadian-born composer, Colin McPhee, heads to Bali, Indonesia after listening to and being inspired by Balinese gamelan music.
McPhee visits the Indonesian island in the 1930s. His 1947 novel is a unique look at Balinese arts, culture, and life from a Western musician perspective. Amazon | Goodreads
More Books Set In Bali:
Love And Death In Bali by Vicki Baum
Balicious by Beck Wicks
Bali Daze by Cat Wheeler
A Bali Conspiracy Most Foul (Book 2) by Shamini Flint
Nonfiction Books About Indonesia
Krakatoa by Simon Winchester
If you are looking for nonfiction books about Indonesia, try Krakatoa. When living in Indonesia, my friends and I decided to head to Cilegon and Carita Beach.
With choppy weather and waters, we did not take a boat over to Anak Krakatoa, which formed from the original explosion of Krakatoa. However, you could see this volcanic formation from the land.
In 1883, Krakatoa infamously and devastatingly erupted causing a deadly tsunami that took the lives of over 40,000 people. Waves crashed as far as France.
Much of the world heard the explosion and catastrophic dust caused changes in the temperature.
In Krakatoa, Winchester recaptures the eruption from a historical and geological standpoint. Amazon | Goodreads
Yoga Bitch by Suzanne Morrison
Although not one of my favorite books set in Indonesia, if you are looking for a more attitude-y and cynical version of Eat, Pray, Love, don’t skip Yoga Bitch. I had higher comedic expectations for this one, although I did find myself chuckling.
Twenty-five-year-old Suzanne Morrison heads to a yoga retreat in Bali. She’s hoping to overcome her fears and go through the meditative process of self-discovery.
Of course, some yogic practices are different than others. Morrison is less than enthused to drink a daily glass of her own pee.
Yoga Bitch is for those looking more for a less-serious yoga book set in Bali. Amazon | Goodreads
More Nonfiction Books About Indonesia
Indonesia, Etc by Elizabeth Pisani
In The Time Of Madness by Richard Lloyd Parry
Indonesian Literary Festivals & Festivals
Ubud Writers & Readers Festival
Jakarta International Literary Festival
Grab your favorite Indonesian books here:
- Audible Plus: From Amazon, listen to Amazon Originals, podcasts, and audiobooks. They add new titles every week.
- Book of the Month: Get the month’s hottest new and upcoming titles from Book of the Month. You might snag an early release or debut author. Along with selecting a book a month, find terrific add-ons, both trendy and lesser-known titles.
- Amazon Prime Video – Stream thousands of ad-free movies and TV series on demand with Prime Video.
- Express VPN – Using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) allows you to view movies worldwide – and they help keep your information safe. Our writers couldn’t have such diverse film reviews without using a VPN.
Save These Indonesian Novels & Books About Indonesia For Later
What Other Indonesian Books Have You Read?
What are some of your favorite Indonesian novels? Are there more books about Indonesia that you recommend for our reading list?
Have you been to Indonesia? What are your favorite places? Let us know in the comments.
Lastly, if you love these Indonesian books, you might also enjoy these horror movies from Indonesia.
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Best Books On Thailand
Filipino Books To Take You There
Books Across Asia
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Icelandic Novels To Love
Books About & Set In Australia
Christine Frascarelli
Great list! I’m yet to read any of these but I did just read a book (The Last Paradise by Di Morrissey) where the main character takes a job in Bali. I didn’t love the book (a little too family saga for me with not enough drama) but the descriptions of the Balinese landscape and cultures were spot on. Within the book were extracts of another book called Revolt in Paradise by K’tut Tantri and that was really interesting. I’d like to read that one day. It’s about an American woman who journeyed to Indonesia in the 1930s and helped in the struggle for freedom. Sounds insightful!
I would love to read a few more Indonesian books by the newer authors. Sometimes it is so hard to get them here in the U.S. When we visited back in February a few years ago, I wasn’t really doing books to inspire travel soooo I missed out on stocking up while I was there.
I’m thinking of doing a separate Bali book list so I’ll have to check out the books you mention. Thanks so much!
What a cool list! Quite a variety. Thanks for expanding my knowledge on books set in Indonesia. I’d love to travel there one day!
Of course I would like the sound of Paper Boats. I’m such a sucker for romance. That one sounds so good! I like the sound of A House in Bali too. I think learning about a culture’s music is a great way to immerse yourself in the culture and also bond with the people there. I can’t think of any trip of mine that didn’t involve music. Love! Although a bunch of my trips have been with my parents who only take trips with full guided tours. Sooo I wonder how much of my trips were geared towards – let’s give these tourists what they expect out of us. I can’t wait to really explore this world!
Anyway, I also looooved Eat, Pray, Love. No hate from me there. Ha! The movie fell completely flat but I loved the book.
And I totally want to read Yoga Bitch! Sounds like my kind of book. I’m the person who keeps meaning to add yoga into my life. I always love it when I do it. I need to do it regularly! Maybe right now? But oh my apartment is hot. Excuses!?
Why do I always digress while leaving you comments? Awesome book list! I love the diversity. I’d love to learn more about your time there one day.?
Hey Lauren,
I loved living in Indonesia, and I totally hope that you get to visit one day. Take me!! I want to go back!! Maybe when we can travel again, we can rally Kathy too, lol! Drinks by the beach! You can go on literary dates, I’ll pick up more local lit, and Kathy can blog about all the delicious food.
I’m glad that you are pro Eat, Pray, Love too. Gilbert fans, UNITE!!! My best friend loves her too. And, I’m so glad (and sad) that I wasn’t the only one who didn’t love the movie. Like what happened?! I like Julia Roberts, too. GAH!
OMG, I enjoy YOGA soooo much. You can always try Yoga with Adriene on youtube and start with her 15-20 mins videos. A little goes a long way (so cliche but true), which is fabulous for us busy people!
Thanks for the awesome comment. I hope you are having a wonderful weekend! XXxx
I don’t think I have read a single book set in Indonesia so I clearly need to take the time to read some of these. I had no idea that Eat, Pray, Love was set in Indonesia but it is the only book on the list whose title I recognize. I’m so glad you make these lists because it allows me to discover books I didn’t know were out there.
I read many more Indonesian novels when I was moving and living there, for sure. I definitely need to pick up some of the newer Indonesian authors and more contemporary books set in Indonesia. I’m so glad this reading list helps! It’s also wonderful to see more and more of these books being translated worldwide. Sometimes it hard to access them, still–I wish my library had more.