Andrea Hirata

Andrea Hirata is an Indonesian writer. He was a fellow in the International
Writer’s Program at the University of Iowa, 2010. His first novel, The
Rainbow Troops (published in Indonesia in 2005 as Laskar Pelangi), sold
more than 5 million copies and will be sold in over 25 countries, making
him the country’s bestselling writer ever and its first to enjoy international
popular success. The film adaptation of Laskar Pelangi, released in 2008,
went on to become the highest ever grossing film in Indonesia. Hirata’s
short story ‘Dry Season’ appeared in New York University’s Washington
Square Review. His work inspired a choreography by CityDance Ensemble,
Washington, DC in 2010. Hirata has written three sequels to The Rainbow
Troops: Sang Pemimpi (The Dreamer), Edensor and Maryamah Karpov. He
lives in Indonesia.