Norman Erikson Pasaribu

Norman Erikson Pasaribu
Born	1990 Jakarta, Indonesia
Alma mater	Indonesian State College of Accountancy
Occupation	writer
Years active	2014–present
Notable work	Sergius seeks Bacchus, Happy Stories, Mostly
Awards	PEN Translates Award (2017), Republic of Consciousness Prize (2022), both for English translations by Tiffany Tsao

Norman Erikson Pasaribu is an Indonesian-language poet, translator, editor, and writer of short stories.

Biography

Norman Erikson Pasaribu was born in 1990 in Jakarta, Indonesia. They are of Catholic Toba Batak background and are Queer.[1][2][3][4] They began to write poetry from a young age.[5] Among their literary influences are Budi Darma, Claudia Rankine, Herta Müller, Joni Mitchell and Mary Gordon.[3][6]

Pasaribu's first book was the 2014 collection of short stories Hanya Kamu yang Tahu Berapa Lama Lagi Aku Harus Menunggu (Only You Know How Long I Have to Wait), published by Gramedia Pustaka Utama.[2] Their next book was the 2015 poetry collection Sergius Mencari Bacchus (Sergius seeks Bacchus). The book was critically well received and won first prize at the Jakarta Arts Council’s Poetry Manuscript Competition and was a finalist for the 2016 Khatulistiwa Literary Award for Poetry.[7] The book was translated into English by Tiffany Tsao, with whom Pasaribu developed a close working relationship and friendship.[8][9] The book was published by Tilted Axis Press and won the 2018 PEN Translates Award.[7] Pasaribu also won the 2017 Young Author Award from the Southeast Asia Literary Council.[2]

Tsao's English translation of Happy Stories, Mostly won the 2022 Republic of Consciousness Prize and was longlisted for the 2022 International Booker Prize[10][7] The book received positive critical attention, including from the New York Times, which found it unhappy but meaningful.[11][12][13]

In 2022 Pasaribu was the English PEN international writer in residence at Essex Writers House in Southend-on-Sea in the United Kingdom.[14] They are currently the 2023–2024 Artist in Residence at the Harvard University Asia Center in Boston in the United States.[7]

Selected works

• Hanya Kamu yang Tahu Berapa Lama Lagi Aku Harus Menunggu: kumpulan cerita (Gramedia Pustaka Utama, 2014)[15]
• Sergius Mencari Bacchus: 33 puisi (Gramedia Pustaka Utama, 2016[16])
  • translated to English by Tiffany Tsao as Sergius Seeks Bacchus (Tilted Axis/Giramondo Publishing, 2019)[17]
• Cerita-Cerita Bahagia, Hampir Seluruhnya (Gramedia Pustaka Utama, 2020)[18]
  • translated to English by Tiffany Tsao as Happy Stories, Mostly (The Feminist Press, 2023)[19]
• Saudara Kembarmu di Dunia Kertas (Gramedia Pustaka Utama, 2020)

References

1. Mujiarso, Is. "Norman Erikson: Pencarian Intelektual Minoritas Seksual". Detik (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2 November 2023.
2. "Norman Erikson Pasaribu - Literature". British Council. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
3. Johnson, Michelle. "7 Questions for Norman Erikson Pasaribu, by Michelle Johnson". World Literature Today. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
4. "English PEN announces PEN Presents winners". English PEN. 29 September 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
5. Neilson, Sarah (15 June 2023). "Norman Erikson Pasaribu Masters the Art of the Short Story in Their Collection 'Happy Stories, Mostly'". Shondaland. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
6. Pasaribu, Norman Erikson (12 January 2023). "About My Mother (and Other Things in Parentheses)". PEN Transmissions. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
7. "The Asia Center Welcomes Norman Erikson Pasaribu, 2023-24 Artist in Residence". Harvard University Asia Center. 7 August 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
8. Palattella, Nina. "Queer Joy Is Complicated in This Story Collection". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
9. Mazumdar, Arunima (10 February 2023). "Interview: Tiffany Tsao - "Indonesian literature is less well known"". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
10. "Norman Erikson Pasaribu". thebookerprizes.com. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
11. Tepper, Anderson (30 June 2023). "New International Fiction: Dark Histories, Daunting Labors". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
12. "Award-winning author Norman Erikson Pasaribu discusses 'Happy Stories, Mostly'". The Jakarta Post. 10 January 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
13. "HAPPY STORIES, MOSTLY". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
14. "Norman Erikson Pasaribu". The Asian Writer. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
15. "Hanya kamu yang tahu beberapa lama lagi aku harus menunggu : kumpulan cerita". WorldCat. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
16. "Sergius mencari Bacchus : 33 puisi". WorldCat. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
17. "Sergius seeks Bacchus". WorldCat. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
18. "Cerita-cerita bahagia, hampir seluruhnya". WorldCat. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
19. "Happy stories, mostly". WorldCat. Retrieved 2 November 2023.