This is an Indonesian anthology featuring twenty short stories, six poems, and two articles. As the subtitle suggests ("and other shoe stories"), the collection uses the theme of shoes as a central motif for exploring various aspects of life and relationships.
In the quiet, dusty village of Suka-Tani, there lived an elderly baker named Oma Ratna whose shop was famous not just for the aroma of fresh bread, but for the rumors that she could bake emotions into her dough. The story follows Bobi, a young, hyper-active boy who struggles with focus and patience in school. One rainy afternoon, searching for a snack, he finds a peculiar, shimmering golden …
Origami Hati tells the story of Aris, a man who believes that feelings, like paper, are fragile and easily damaged if handled incorrectly. Living in a world where he prefers the precision and predictability of folding intricate origami to the messy unpredictability of human relationships, he keeps his emotions tightly tucked away. His solitary life is interrupted by Maya, a woman who enters …
The story follows the protagonist, Suze Simon, as she discovers she has the power to travel back in time. She faces a difficult choice: she can go back to 19th-century California to prevent the murder of Jesse, the ghost she has fallen in love with, but doing so might mean they never meet in the present
Destiny is a poignant exploration of the intersection between fate, human choices, and the profound journey of finding one's purpose. The story revolves around the life of a protagonist who has long felt that their path was pre-written, bound by the expectations of society and the constraints of their own past. The narrative takes a turn when a series of seemingly coincidental events forces …
In the sprawling, neon-drenched metropolis of the capital, the inhabitants believe they are alone in their crowded apartments, offices, and subways. They are wrong. "City of the Unseen" follows Rian, a cynical freelance journalist who suffers from a rare condition that allows him to perceive the "overflow"—the spectral remnants of the city’s history that coexist in the same physical spac…
Father Brown is an unlikely detective. Described as humble, mild-mannered, and often appearing "innocent" or simple, he uses this to his advantage as criminals frequently underestimate him. Unlike other famous literary detectives who rely primarily on scientific deduction, Father Brown solves mysteries by "stepping into the shoes" of the villain, utilizing his spiritual and psychological insigh…
In the bustling, high-speed reality of modern life, Aruna is a woman who has built a fortress around her heart. A dedicated professional who prioritizes logic and structure, she believes that love is a beautiful but impractical distraction—a luxury she cannot afford while climbing the corporate ladder in Jakarta. However, her carefully curated world begins to shift when she is tasked with …
The story follows Toby Walsgrove, a boy who has lived his entire life in a Carmelite convent in London. Paralyzed since birth, Toby is unable to move or speak, and he has no known family. His life changes drastically when his cat, Shipley, begins to talk to him. Shipley, who has been watching over Toby throughout his life, reveals that Toby is not an ordinary boy; he is a descendant of the gre…
The book is designed to provide comfort, inspiration, and guidance during the challenging and often turbulent teenage years. It avoids "preaching" or telling teens what they should or shouldn't do; instead, it relies on shared personal experiences to create a sense of community and understanding