TATA Nanik Susanti recalls memories of her grandfathers good-natured guests. One day in 1940, her grandfather, Tan Khoen Swie, received a special guest from Solo, Central Java. When you grow up, dont become an author like me, said the guest. I cant even afford to buy a pair of slippers, he added jokingly.

The words of R. Tanojothe name of the special gueststill echo in Susantis ears today. R. Tanojo was a celebrated author in his day. Among his fa