born in 1975 in Tasikmalaya, Indonesia, studied at the Faculty of Arts, Gadjah-Mada University; his thesis on Pramoedya Ananta Toer and the literature of socialist realism was published as a book in 1999. In 2002 his debut novel Cantik itu Luka (Beauty is a Wound) was published, in 2004 Lelaki Harimau (Tigerman, German 2015), in 2014 Seperti Dendam, Rindu Harus Dibayar Tuntas (Vengeance is Mine All Others Pay Cash), and in 2019 the short story collection Kitchen Curse. In 2016, Eka Kurniawan was nominated for the Man Booker International Prize, and in 2018, he received the Prince Claus Award. His literary essays and political commentaries have appeared in national and international publications. He is the founder of the publishing house Moooi Pustaka and lives in Jakarta.