Sexuality in a 1960s Short Story

A Malay short story published in 1967 is a rare example of a work of the time that foregrounds a progressive approach to non-mainstream sexuality. Approximately 5,000 words long, it manages to be worldly and progressive while still being rambunctious and ribald in its use of sexual and gender stereotypes. Amir will take you through the entire text and point out the moments of cheekiness and narrative sophistication. Needless to say, the identity of the story will only be revealed to those attending this session.

Amir Muhammad runs Buku Fixi, which has published over 300 books in Malay and English since 2011, as well as Kuman Pictures, which has produced several films and documentaries since 2019. Like most Malaysians, he is too young to have experienced the 1960s.