The Pilgrim

By Iwan Simatupang (author), Harry Aveling (translator)

The Pilgrim, first published in 1969, has been hailed as Indonesia’s first real modern novel. The main characters are an artist and a cemetery overseer; the former represents emotion and the latter signifies reason and the conflicting aspects of human nature. Despite the characters’ antagonistic nature and cruelty, they are—in some ways—very similar. Both represents forms of creativity, philosophy, and art. Both exist outside conventional society. Both are searching for genuine human values and are aware of their shortcomings. In The Pilgrim, the chaos of thought and feelings represents life in its chaotic randomness.