The epic novel “Beauty is a Wound” first published in 2002 is written by Eka Kurniawan. The novel depicts Indonesian history, family tragedy, humor, magic and in some ways romance. The novel begins with a voluptuous Indonesian prostitute, Dewi Ayu, rising from the dead. Centrally, this novel is about Dewi Ayu and her four daughters and the history of Dewi Ayu’s family history. However, this novel shifts to a more interesting focus—the actions of the male characters. Kurniwan humorously addresses the how female characters are treated by male characters. In the midst of these male characters, Kurniawan illustrates Sodancho, Alamanda’s senior. Shodancho is supposedly a powerful guerilla, yet he is a rapist, horrible husband and controlling. In a 2015 article, “A Writer’s Haunting Trip through the Horrors of Indonesian History”, by Gillian Terzis, she discusses her encounter with Kurniawan. Kurniawan states, “When you’re reading a novel like mine, [you’re reading] a joke about history” (Terzis 1).
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Shodancho says, “Come on sweetheart,” he said, “we can make love again, and have as many children as we want” (383). Shodancho is controlling Alamanda’s life. Alamanda does not want to have sex with Shodancho, better yet, have kids with the pathetic guy. While Shodancho restrains Alamanda to the bed, he rapes her repeatedly. Alamanda lacks control of her own body. Indeed, Kurniwan tries to give these women power and control through sex, but they are incapable of having any. In “Beauty is a Wound”, Kurniawan develops a novel that portrays the history of Indonesian through dark humor. He illustrates these female characters who are enslaved by men and it is seen through the eyes of the male characters. The readers see the women as sex slaves and the men are dogs. This is mostly seen through Shodancho’s critical interactions with women. Despite the humor and playful tone of “Beauty is a Wound”, it should not be a light-hearted
Shodancho says, “Come on sweetheart,” he said, “we can make love again, and have as many children as we want” (383). Shodancho is controlling Alamanda’s life. Alamanda does not want to have sex with Shodancho, better yet, have kids with the pathetic guy. While Shodancho restrains Alamanda to the bed, he rapes her repeatedly. Alamanda lacks control of her own body. Indeed, Kurniwan tries to give these women power and control through sex, but they are incapable of having any. In “Beauty is a Wound”, Kurniawan develops a novel that portrays the history of Indonesian through dark humor. He illustrates these female characters who are enslaved by men and it is seen through the eyes of the male characters. The readers see the women as sex slaves and the men are dogs. This is mostly seen through Shodancho’s critical interactions with women. Despite the humor and playful tone of “Beauty is a Wound”, it should not be a light-hearted