Bilangan Fu

Author: Ayu Utami

Category: Fiction, literature

Language: Indonesian

Publication Year: 2008

Pages: 548

Description:

Yuda, "the devil", is a rock climber and gambler who mocks societal values. Parang Jati, "the angel", is a twelve-fingered young man molded by his foster father to bear the world's sorrows. Marja, "the human", is a girl with a horse-like body and a sun-like soul.

They are involved in a gentle love triangle, amidst harsh experiences that begin with a strange event - the resurrection of the dead from the grave - leading to the rescue of the limestone hills in southern Java. Amidst all this, Bilangan Fu faintly reveals itself.

The author names the breath of his novel "critical spiritualism". That is, it raises the discourse of spirituality - religious, mystical, or mystical - into a framework that respects it while being critical of it, lifting the discourse of faith without being trapped in black and white proselytizing.

This novel is Ayu Utami's manifesto about an attitude considered essential in this era: a critical religious or spiritual attitude.

Key Themes:
1. Spiritualism and Criticism: The novel delves into the concept of critical spiritualism, emphasizing the importance of approaching spiritual and religious discourse with a critical mindset, avoiding rigid dichotomies.

2. Love Triangle and Harsh Experiences: The characters' involvement in a love triangle amidst challenging experiences, including the resurrection of the dead and the rescue of limestone hills, adds depth to the narrative.

Personal Notes:

The novel "Bilangan Fu" explores the intertwining lives of Yuda, Parang Jati, and Marja, delving into themes of spirituality, societal values, and critical religious attitudes. It presents a unique perspective on the complexities of human relationships and the challenges of navigating spiritual beliefs in a modern context.