The Cold War and its Legacy in Indonesia: Literary Representation of the Red Scare

Mayasari-Hoffert examines the depiction of the Left in Indonesian literature since the anti-leftist purge in 1965, exploring how the New Order regime built a metanarrative of liberation while purging the Left. Despite the regimes end in 1998, many Indonesians still fear Communism, and literary representation of the Left is still seen as problematic.

Format: Hardback
Length: 112 pages
Publication date: 01 November 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Mayasari-Hoffert delves into the portrayal of the Left in Indonesian literature since the anti-leftist purge in 1965. Through meticulous textual analysis of Indonesian literary works and their political backdrop, this book explores how the Suharto-led New Order regime in Indonesia crafted a narrative of liberation while simultaneously purging the Left. Even after the regimes collapse in 1998, a lingering fear of Communism persists among many Indonesians, leading to the continued perception of literary representations of the Left as problematic. By examining Indonesia's literary institutions, the misuse and abuse of universal humanism under the New Order regime are scrutinized, as well as the intricate ways in which power intersects with literature. This insightful read is of utmost importance to scholars and students of Indonesian politics, literature, and the cultural cold war.

Weight: 390g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032285238