"Jalan Jalan"
Jalan Jalan is an award-winning novel by British author Mike Stoner, inspired by the sudden death of his girlfriend and his subsequent time spent in Indonesia as an English teacher. In the story, James tries to forget his dead girlfriend, Laura, but at the same time he finds comfort in remembering her. Which is fairly easy, because she is a ghost haunting him—sometimes friendly, sometimes taunting him. In life, Laura often spoke playfully of mystical notions of time and space. Late in the story, James meets a shaman, who does some magic that makes James feel some hope. At the end of the story, we—and James—are led to believe it just might be possible that when he goes back to England, she may actually be alive and waiting for him. During this whole journey, James has subtle but powerful effects on the people he comes to know in Indonesia, because despite his tragic loss, his basic kindness and regard for others remains intact.
500 word synopsis
Jalan Jalan follows James, a young Englishman who moves to Indonesia after the sudden death of his girlfriend, Laura, who was struck by a bus. The couple had planned to reunite after three months apart, but her tragic death leaves James grappling with deep grief. Taking a job as an English teacher, he tries to escape his pain, but Laura’s ghost haunts him, along with flashbacks of their time together.
In Indonesia, James forms bonds with the local expat teachers, including Kim, a carefree half-Vietnamese American man who pulls him into the chaotic nightlife of Medan. One night in a nightclub he meets Eka, a beautiful young Indian woman who advises him “No talk to dead girl.” (Laura). She knows James cannot commit to her, but she remains unwavering, as she helps him through moments of illness and confusion.
Throughout his time in Indonesia, James’s internal journey is marked by Laura’s lingering ghost, who haunts him in unpredictable ways—sometimes offering comfort, sometimes mocking him. Laura had always been fascinated by the mystical possibilities of time and space, ideas that continue to echo in her spectral appearances. Her ghost, though a source of pain, becomes a bittersweet reminder of their life together, keeping James caught between the need to move on and the comfort of holding on to his past.
James’s job brings him into contact with Charles, a wealthy Chinese-Indonesian businessman, whose children, Fitri, 15, and Benny, 10, bond with James during their English lessons. Charles, protective and reserved, shares a deeper connection with James, as both men cope with past trauma—Charles is painfully estranged from his wife, but too proud to try to approach her.
A turning point occurs at Mei’s bar when Barry, an expat bully, confronts the teachers. A previously quiet teacher stands up to Barry, and the rest of the group supports him, forcing Barry to back down when his friends desert him.
During an excursion to the jungle to see orangutans, James stands up to a drunk Liverpudlian harassing a local girl. This act of courage contrasts with his usual introspection and marks significant personal growth.
Despite his deep loss and internal turmoil, James forms deep connections with both fellow teachers and local residents. He retains his capacity to care for others, resulting in a quiet but often profound healing impact on those around him.
In life, Laura was fascinated by the mystical possibilities of time and space and alternate realities. Through Charles, James meets a local shaman, who performs a magical ritual to remove Laura’s ghost and take away his pain. Her ghost seemingly disappears, replaced by a lingering sense that Laura may, against all odds, be waiting for James, alive and well, upon his return to England. This possibility, whether real or imagined, offers James a kind of hope, and the feeling that life, time, and love are far more fluid than he had once believed.
Jalan Jalan follows James, a young Englishman who moves to Indonesia after the sudden death of his girlfriend, Laura, who was struck by a bus. The couple had planned to reunite after three months apart, but her tragic death leaves James grappling with deep grief. Taking a job as an English teacher, he tries to escape his pain, but Laura’s ghost haunts him, along with flashbacks of their time together.
In Indonesia, James forms bonds with the local expat teachers, including Kim, a carefree half-Vietnamese half-American man who pulls him into the chaotic nightlife of Medan. One night in a nightclub he meets Eka, a beautiful young Indian woman who advises him “No talk to dead girl.” (Laura). She knows James cannot commit to her, but she remains unwavering, as she helps him through moments of illness and confusion.
James’s job brings him into contact with Charles, a wealthy Chinese-Indonesian businessman, whose children, Fitri, 15, and Benny, 10, bond with James during their English lessons. Charles, protective and reserved, shares a deeper connection with James, as both men cope with past trauma—Charles is painfully estranged from his wife, but too proud to try to approach her.
A turning point occurs at Mei’s bar when Barry, an expat bully, confronts the teachers. A previously quiet teacher stands up to Barry, and the rest of the group supports him, forcing Barry to back down when his friends desert him.
During an excursion to the jungle to see orangutans, James stands up to a drunk Liverpudlian harassing a local girl. This act of courage contrasts with his usual introspection and marks significant personal growth.
Despite his deep loss and internal turmoil, James forms deep connections with both fellow teachers and local residents. He retains his capacity to care for others, resulting in a quiet but often profound healing impact on those around him.
In life, Laura was fascinated by the mystical possibilities of time and space and alternate realities. Through Charles, James meets a local shaman, who performs a magical ritual to remove Laura’s ghost and take away his pain. Her ghost seemingly disappears, replaced by a lingering sense that Laura may, against all odds, be waiting for James, alive and well, upon his return to England. This possibility, whether real or imagined, offers James a kind of hope, and the feeling that life, time, and love are far more fluid than he had once believed.
