Laskar Pelangi by Andrea Hirata

ZALFA AZZAHRA SALIM (30802300025)

Figure. 1

“Dream, because God will embrace those dreams.” (Laskar Pelangi, p.407)

Laskar Pelangi by Andrea Hirata explores the themes of dreams and perseverance through the story of ten children from modest families in Belitung who attend Muhammadiyah Elementary School. Through this realistic fiction novel, the author encourages readers to realize that limitations are not a reason to give up. This book is highly recommended for anyone, especially those who believe that dreams and education can change everything.

In this novel, they call themselves “Laskar Pelangi” as a symbol of their love for the rainbow in their village. The main characters include the sensitive Ikal, the genius and persistent Lintang, and the creative Mahar. The story is full of contrasts between the wealth of the tin mines and the poverty of the surrounding community. This story is very inspiring, showing how education, although often taken for granted, is a precious gift that not everyone has. 

As a reader, I feel deeply inspired by Lintang's perseverance in traveling dozens of kilometers just to go to school. Their experiences teach me that education, although often taken for granted, is a gift that not everyone has. I am also delighted by their spirit of friendship; their small joys, shared laughter, and struggles feel very sincere. This novel has made me realize that limitations are not obstacles to dreaming big, and can actually be a source of strength in life.

In his novel Laskar Pelangi, Andrea Hirata emphasizes that education can be a way out of poverty and limitations, while also opening up insights into the social conditions of the people of Belitung, Indonesia. This novel has received many awards, such as the 2013 TB Buch Award in Germany and the 2013 New York Book Festival (general fiction category). In addition, the French edition of Laskar Pelangi (Les Guerriers de L'arc-en-ciel) received a cultural award from the French government in 2017 and also the ITB Buch Award 2013. The novel was also made into a film in 2008 and has become one of the most famous Indonesian works, having been translated into several languages such as English, Mandarin, Malay, and others. The main message embedded in this novel is that dreams, no matter how small, are worth fighting for without limits because “Dream, because God will embrace those dreams.” (Laskar Pelangi, p. 407).