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Literary Fiction· Indonesia

Saman

by Ayu Utami
Aggregate Editorial Score30/100
Published 1998Indonesian
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About This Book

Published in 1998, Saman established Ayu Utami as one of the defining voices in literary fiction. Saman is a groundbreaking novel by Ayu Utami that explores themes of sexuality, politics, and religion in Indonesia. The story follows the life of Saman, a former priest turned activist, and his relationships with four women. The novel is noted for its candid exploration of taboo subjects and its critique of the political and social climate in Indonesia during the 1990s. Themes of sexuality, politics, religion run through the work. The book has received recognition from Prince Claus Award 2000.

Book Details

AuthorAyu Utami
Published1998
Country of Origin🇮🇩 Indonesia
LanguageIndonesian
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9789799731234
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

Saman by Ayu Utami intricately weaves themes of sexual liberation, political unrest, and the complexity of female identity in post-Suharto Indonesia. Through the fragmented narratives of its characters, Utami employs a bold, lyrical style that challenges societal norms and reflects the struggles for personal and collective freedom. The novel's exploration of intimacy against a backdrop of sociopolitical turmoil offers a profound commentary on the intersection of personal and national histories.
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

Guardian 100 Best Novels
list · global
20030
✍️
About the Author
Ayu Utami
Indonesia
View Author →

Ayu Utami 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 Saman about?

Saman is a groundbreaking novel by Ayu Utami that explores themes of sexuality, politics, and religion in Indonesia. The story follows the life of Saman, a former priest turned activist, and his relationships with four women. The novel is noted for its candid exploration of taboo subjects and its critique of the political and social climate in Indonesia during the 1990s.

Who wrote Saman?

Saman was written by Ayu Utami, from Indonesia. First published in 1998.

What awards has Saman won?

Saman has received the following recognition: Prince Claus Award 2000.

Is Saman worth reading?

Saman 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 sexuality, politics, religion.

Where can I buy Saman?

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

What category is Saman?

Saman is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is Saman from?

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

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