The Anatomy of Travel

Gerson Poyk (Author) Gerson Poyk is a poet, writer and journalist. He began his career as a journalist for Sinar Harapan newspaper in Jakarta (1962-1970). He participated in the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa in the United States. He published five short story collections: "Oleng-kemoleng & Surat-Surat Cinta Aleksander Rajaguguk" (1974), "Matias Akankari" (1975), "Nostalgia Nusatenggara" (1976), "Jerat" (1978) and "Di Bawah Matahari Bali" (1982). His poetry collection is Anak Karang (1985), and his novels are Hari-Hari Pertama (1968), Sang Guru (1971), Cumbuan Sabana (1979), Giring-Giring (1982), Seutas Benang Cinta (1982), Requiem untuk Seorang Perempuan (1983), Doa Perkabungan (1987), Impian Nyoman Sulastri dan Hanibal (1988) and Poti Wolo (1988). His short story "Mutiara di Tengah Sawah" received an award from Sastra magazine in 1961, and his story "Oleng-kemoleng" received commendation from Horison magazine in 1968. Gerson won the Adinegoro Award in 1985 and 1986, and in 1989 he received the SEA Write Award.

In The Anatomy of Travel, the distinctiveness of Gerson Poyk's writing can be seen in the way he portrays local color. This color is found in the themes of his stories, in the characteristics of the protagonists, the names of the characters, the settings where the stories take place, and the plots of his stories, which are simple and straightforward. The nineteen short stories in this collection cover spiritual and social issues in rural society, the difficulties of urban life, and social intercourse with foreigners. Through this collection of short stories, the reader truly travels and is able to taste and smell the colors of the author's world.