We are proud to present our list of translations of well-loved works from Southeast Asia’s literary canon, connecting today’s discerning readers with the the essence of another era. We are honored to not just make them accessible in the current literary landscape but also to reinforce their relevance amongst readers.
Keep an eye out for the upcoming English translation of Luha ng Buwaha. Coming out in 2023!
Mga Ibong Mandaragit is hailed as Hernandez’s epic masterpiece as it is the first socio-political novel that exposes the ills of society as evident in the agrarian problems of the 50s. This novel continues the flaming social realism in the novels of the Philippine national hero, Dr Jose Rizal.
A tale of love and loss set against the rising tide of socialism in the early years of the American occupation of the Philippines. In addition to being one of the first long narratives in the Philippines that provoked the mood of society, it also motivated the cause of the Hukbalahap (Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon, literally the “people’s army against the Japanese occupiers” during World War II). This is the first English translation of the book.
A history of the Malay Peninsula and the islands of the Archipelago. The Genealogy of Kings (Malay: Sulalat al-Salatin or Sejarah Melayu, is a literary work that gives a romanticised history of the origin, evolution and demise of the great Malay maritime empire, the Malacca Sultanate. The work which was composed sometime between the 15th and 16th centuries, is considered one of the finest literary and historical works in the Malay language.
Prisna takes place in 1938 in Phra Nakhon, Thailand, during a time when men and women were not equals. Marriage for women meant security, not love. This is the story of a young modern Siamese girl and her quest for true love.
Penguin Southeast Asian Classics are now available at all leading bookstores near you and internationally via Amazon. Add them to your reading list today!
