In The Back of My Throat

by Norman Erikson Pasaribu (Editor), Tatevik Sargsyan (Editor), Zar Mose

In The Back of My Throat is an anthology about queer Indonesian experiences across borders and other stories told with no shame.

Edited by Tatevik Sargsyan and Norman Erikson Pasaribu.

With contributions from: Zar Mose, Khairani Barokka, JR Hadi, Kristal Firdaus, Anna Sulan Masing, Pear Nuallak, Ko Ko Thett, Kyi May Kaung, Ziggy Zezsyazeoviennazabrizkie, Pychita Julinanda, Prahara Amelia, Madina Malahayati Chumaera, Nurdiyansyah, Mak Lin, Caesar Abrisam.

The title is taken from Prahara Amelia’s poem.

Genres: Poetry, Queer, Essays, Indonesian Literature, LGBT, Nonfiction

Paperback

Published May 1, 2024

About the author

Norman Erikson Pasaribu was born in Jakarta in 1990. His first short story collection Hanya Kamu yang Tahu Berapa Lama Lagi Aku Harus Menunggu (Only You Know How Much Longer I Should Wait) was shortlisted for the 2014 Khatulistiwa Literary Award for Prose. His debut poetry collection Sergius Mencari Bacchus (Sergius Seeks Bacchus) won the 2015 Jakarta Arts Council Poetry Competition, was shortlisted for the 2016 Khatulistiwa Literary Award for Poetry and named by Tempo as one of the best poetry collections of that year.

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very strong anthology of various queer Indonesian voices spanning interview transcripts, essays, think pieces, and poetry. It's far too short, only about 30 pages, and some of the poems went over my head, but I loved the majority of the pieces here, all being very powerful and meaningful in their own way.

[Fernanda Armada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un precioso regalo que espero poder regalar a Catherine cuando regrese, tan precioso que me hizo llorar en el metro. Es muy bello poder leer otras latitudes y es un esfuerzo editorial grande (y necesario!!!) permitir que estas publicaciones existan

[sekar banjaran aji · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tahun ini sepertinya jadi tahun kebangkitan antologi, entah tulisan dalam bentuk esay atau puisi tapi sesungguhnya ini menyenangkan sekali. Aku mulai menikmati buku dari bentuk antologi karena dari satu buku kita bisa menjelajah banyak tulisan dan rasa. In the back of my throat jadi salah satu yang dieksekusi paripurna meski penerbitan kecil dan ditulis kelompok kelas dua yakni para queer tapi membaca buku ini membuatku paham soal pentingnya merayakan hidup.

Aku sangat menyukai cerita Mak Lin bahwa bertahan hidup dan mempertahankan identitas akan selalu membuat kita kehilangan banyak pilihan. Dalam cerita ini Mak Lin begitu sederhana dan praktis menjalani hidup. Dua hal yg sebenernya jauh dari stereotypes LGBT yang ada di sekitar kita.

Lantas aku pun masih terpukau soal puisi ‘kerokan’ dari khairani barokka yang begitu subtle dan punya banyak interpretasi. Merayakan kehidupan berarti merakayan hal-hal yang kita lakukan untuk merawat kehidupan.

#WhatSekarReads2024 #WhatSekarReads #Inthebackofmythroat

[afin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this, also loved that most of the contributors here were authors I've never heard about. As predicted, I resonated with the essays a lot more than the poems (I'm still trying to figure out how to read and enjoy poetry). My favorite ones are Of The Borders I (Cannot) Cross: The Queer (Im)possibilites, Queering the Old Age: Sex Worker, A Toilet Guide for Younger Indonesian Transmen.

[Elliott James Fraser · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of queer Indonesian poetry and prose.
Quite different from anything else I have picked up and it's quite a read.
Some really fascinating reads in this and 'What does it mean to be nourished' by Pear Nuallak is very very special.
Inspiring stuff.
I got this from Typewronger in Edinburgh which seems to be where I get most of my oddly interesting books.

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

my favorite is "situational comedy: memorising the 99 Names of Allah through american sitcoms" by prahara amelia, translated by madina malahayati chumaera. especially this line: "america and i / both forgot / how to offer a prayer / that does not start with 'I'."

[Rose Baseil Massa · Rating 5 out of 5]

PERFECT AND GORGEOUS AND TIMELY IN EVERY WAY