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A review by tobbled
Beauty Is a Wound by Eka Kurniawan
3.0
TW // heavy depictions of rape and violence throughout the book
Beauty is a Wound is a well written, satirical magical-realism depicting the history of Indonesia.
The titular theme of the book ‘Beauty is a Wound’ is depicted through the constant violence that the women in this book face. And whilst I would love to buy into the idea that this book is critiquing this when line is so vaguely drawn and it even seems to rejoice in recounting this rape. It is a well made satire and allegory and I can see why it is not only so enjoyed but important. However, it was just too rapey. And you could argue that’s the point due to the themes and troubles it depicts but - it’s a mixed bag I keep going back and forth on.
I will say though my favourite story from this was one of the more violent (incesty, murdery) ones - Krisan, Rengganis and Ai’s story. It was so well crafted and structured and the way the whole thing unfolded and then fell into not only the rest of the book but linked back to previous interactions. The story is incredibly well crafted and thought through overall.
Maybe in a few years I’ll read this book again with more context over the history. I think this book needed more time and thinking than I was willing to give it.
Beauty is a Wound is a well written, satirical magical-realism depicting the history of Indonesia.
The titular theme of the book ‘Beauty is a Wound’ is depicted through the constant violence that the women in this book face. And whilst I would love to buy into the idea that this book is critiquing this when line is so vaguely drawn and it even seems to rejoice in recounting this rape. It is a well made satire and allegory and I can see why it is not only so enjoyed but important. However, it was just too rapey. And you could argue that’s the point due to the themes and troubles it depicts but - it’s a mixed bag I keep going back and forth on.
I will say though my favourite story from this was one of the more violent (incesty, murdery) ones - Krisan, Rengganis and Ai’s story. It was so well crafted and structured and the way the whole thing unfolded and then fell into not only the rest of the book but linked back to previous interactions. The story is incredibly well crafted and thought through overall.
Maybe in a few years I’ll read this book again with more context over the history. I think this book needed more time and thinking than I was willing to give it.