Happy Stories, Mostly

Queer Indonesian writer Norman Erikson Pasaribu's debut novel Happy Stories, Mostly blends speculative fiction and dark absurdism, exploring the nature of survival amid loneliness. The book is longlisted for the International Booker Prize.

Format: Paperback / softback
Publication date: 02 December 2021
Publisher: Tilted Axis Press

Queer Indonesian writer Norman Erikson Pasaribu makes a stunning fiction debut with his novel Happy Stories, Mostly. This work seamlessly blends speculative fiction and dark absurdism, drawing inspiration from Batak and Christian cultural elements. Notably, Happy Stories, Mostly has been longlisted for the prestigious International Booker Prize, highlighting its significance as one of the most important Indonesian writers of our time.

The twelve short stories within this collection explore the concept of being almost happy, where individuals come close to finding joy, acceptance, and fulfillment, but ultimately fail to fully grasp their desires. The stories take readers on a tragicomic journey through various scenarios, including an employee navigating their new workplace in a department of Heaven dedicated to archiving unanswered prayers, a tourist seeking solace in Vietnam after her son's suicide, and a young student forming a friendship with a classmate obsessed with verifying the existence of a mythical hundred-foot-tall man.

Through its oblique approach to human life, Happy Stories, Mostly delves into the miraculous and melancholic nature of survival amidst loneliness. The narratives are characterized by a sense of darkness and ambiguity, reminiscent of mushrooms thriving in the absence of light. The characters are complex and multifaceted, navigating their way through the complexities of life and relationships.

One of the narratives' narrators, for instance, describes their work as akin to that of mushrooms: "I work in the dark. Like mushrooms. I don't need light to thrive." This metaphor reflects the characters' ability to find meaning and purpose in the shadows, despite the challenges and hardships they face.

Overall, Happy Stories, Mostly is a captivating and thought-provoking debut that offers a unique perspective on the human experience. Norman Erikson Pasaribu's blend of speculative fiction and dark absurdism creates a rich and immersive world that challenges readers to consider the complexities of happiness, loneliness, and survival. This novel is a must-read for anyone interested in contemporary literature and the exploration of the human condition.

ISBN-13: 9781911284635