Leila was awarded the SEA Write Award 2020 for her novel "Laut Bercerita" ("The Sea Speaks His Name"), which also won the Kusala Sastra Khatulistiwa Award 2013 for its historical novel "Pulang" ("Homecoming"). "Laut Bercerita" is a historical fiction novel that tells the true story of a missing student activist during Indonesia's New Order Era.



The novel's strengths lie in its wealth of data and accuracy in describing the ideas, experiences, and feelings of its two main characters, Laut and Mara. The novel uses a realistic style to describe events at a specific time and place, with a table of contents consisting entirely of places and years, from "Sayegan, 1991" to "In Front of the Presidential Palace, 2007". This novel raises questions about whether the history depicted in the novel is indeed true.


The genre of historical fiction is not new to Indonesian literature. Leila may have followed in Pram's footsteps to adhere to socialist realism and demonstrate the reality that erasing the traces of radical figures from history is tantamount to continuing the colonial political policy of building a false national narrative.


Activists fought for rights that had been taken away by the government. The military of the New Order held the representation of how to govern the country at that time, with discussions being considered dangerous, and their counter will always be monitored by intelligence. Activists were locked up in barracks, interrogated, and tortured as if it has become a routine for months before they were finally vanished from their lives. The activists who challenged the government were considered traitors and were often threatened not to fight against the government. The government's hegemony has rooted in the ideology and culture of society, making people blind to follow the established rules.


The conflict between farmers and soldiers in the Tanam Jagung Blang­guan Action at the beginning of 1998 became the trigger for activist struggles. Covering the story of Biru Laut and 12 other missing activists has become a symbol of the tragedy for the activist movement. Nine other activists who survived the violence continue to suffer trauma until now.


People who joined the Indonesian Student Solidarity for Democracy (SMID) group, including Mugiyan­to and Nezar Patria, were arrested and tortured by the New Order. On May 23, 2016, CNN Indonesia featured Mugi's story of being kidnapped on March 13, 1998. At that time, Mugi had just finished attending a meeting with a solidarity organization for Timor Leste from Australia in the Menteng area, Central Jakarta, representing SMID to manage international relations. On February 4, 2008, Tempo featured a story written by Nezar Patria about his experiences as an activist who was kidnapped, interrogated, and tortured for days in March 1998.


"Laut Bercerita" novel was made based on research, but the storyline that was taken is the author's choice. There are historical embellishments to strengthen the narrative, but still showing Leila's literary attitude as entertainment medium. Leila used WS Rendra's poetry, which is inseparable from social-political criticism, as part of the novel to offer readers an approach to the storyline. The poem "Seonggok Jagung" ("A Pile of Corn") became a basis for activists to resist.


The term "missing activists" refers to activists who were abducted or disappeared and were never found again. In the post-New Order era, literary works often exploited elements of sexual and moral freedom and opposed government dictatorship. Leila Chudori explored the theme of sexuality in her novel "Laut Bercerita" in a way that is not lewd or disgusting. The simplification of the theme of sexuality in literary works can trigger readers to question the moral values they hold and acknowledge the inadequacy of these values. Although sex outside of marriage is still considered taboo, Leila explores the idea that sex can be something fair and enjoyable for both parties.


Alex uses food as the subject of his portrait and displays photos of a gudeg and jamu seller in his room. Food also becomes Mara's tool of communication to Laut through imaginative letters. Leila's desire to depict the other dimensions of Indonesia with a blend of tumult within can satisfy her yearning to narrate. Memories are awakened, and the unconscious is made conscious. "Laut Bercerita" is expected to grow in the world beyond and move histories through readers' comments.