1. Devil’s Place by Brian Gomez (Malaysia)
A story about some people who race to save their own lives, with a mixture of detective, politics, prostitution, terrorism, and many other complicated elements of Malaysia, integrated and described under the humorous pen of a Malaysia-based musician and writer – Brian Gomez.
2. The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen (Vietnam)
Vietnamese-American novelist, Viet Thanh Nguyen’s debut novel The Sympathizer was praised not only for its extremely moving story about the harrowing days of the Vietnam War, but also for possessing a style that was lacking in many other Asian American works.
The book, which tells the story of a Vietnamese captain and his struggle to survive the conflict, won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2016.
3. Ministry of Moral Panic by Amanda Lee Koe (Singapore)
Ministry of Moral Panic is a collection of short stories by Singapore-born and New York-based novelist and short story writer, Amanda Lee Koe.
Published by Epigram Books in 2013, the book caught the attention of the denizens of Lion City due to its depiction of peculiar but extremely relatable Singaporean traits.
The book has been deemed rebellious as it courageously portrays the realities of Singaporeans who struggle with modernization and the state’s conservative ideologies.
4. Beauty Is a Wound by Eka Kurniawan (Indonesia)
Combining history, tragedy, satire, humor, and romance – all the makings of an epic, Eka Kurniawan’s Beauty Is a Wound blurs the line between Indonesia’s past and present through surrealism and magic.
Although Kurniawan has denied that the book is a historical novel of his country, it still explores many of the pivotal moments that shaped modern-day Indonesia. This led the book to be included in The New York Times’ 100 notable books.
Originally written and titled Cantik Itu Luka in the Indonesia language, the novel was translated into English by Annie Tucker.
5. Sightseeing by Rattawut Lapcharoensap (Thailand)
Writing tenderly about the lives of the Thai people is Rattawut Lapcharoensap, an award-winning Thai American author.
His collection of short stories, Sightseeing, literally gives you a clear idea of the people residing in the Southeast Asian nation, who are fast seeing an erosion of their thousand-year-old culture as the country gradually gets westernized.
6. Written in Black by K.H. Lim (Brunei)
10-year-old Jonathan Lee, who struggles to come to terms with his dysfunctional family, runs away during his grandfather’s wake and ends up having a surreal adventure.
The novel, heavily inspired by Lee’s childhood in Brunei, offers a glimpse into the realities that many Chinese-Bruneians face.
7. Smile As They Bow by Nu Nu Yi (Myanmar)
So much of Myanmar is a mystery for the world. If you’re looking for a glimpse into the heartland of the real Myanmar, Nu Nu Yi’s Smile As They Bow is a good start.
Centered on the Taungbyon Festival, which celebrates two brothers belonging to Myanmar’s god-like spirits (called nats), Smile As They Bow offers a heartfelt, whimsical tale of romance between a transvestite shaman and his assistant.
Translated into English by Alfred Birnbaum and Thi Thi Aye, I did have to Google the Taungbyon Festival to give myself a better idea of the book’s setting. That said, the book is memorable for being a culturally stimulating experience.
According to sea.mashable.com
