The Dog Meows, The Cat Barks
by Eka Kurniawan
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Pub Date 21 May 2026 | Archive Date 21 Apr 2026
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Description
A feral and funny portrait of a damaged teen testing the limits of religion, freedom and violence in a small Javanese village.
I had no idea that the day I lost my foreskin I stumbled into a trap, completely ignorant and unprepared.
Sato Reang never wanted to become a pious child. But now Father is dead, and there are no more prayers. Sato can live as he chooses: he eats his fill, pisses on cars, laughs heartily at the craziest jokes. He sets the movie theatre on fire.
Sato Reang doesn't hide his face anymore. But, what can he do about Jamal? The only kid in the village who shared Sato's torturous religious upbringing. No one's ever told him he should commit one tiny sin...
Until today.
Filled with devilish humour, The Dog Meows, The Cat Barks is a heart-breaking fire whip of a novella about delighting in wickedness and the costs of vengeance.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781805334897 |
| PRICE | £10.99 (GBP) |
| PAGES | 128 |
Available on NetGalley
Average rating from 3 members
Featured Reviews
This book moves between the ordinary and the absurd, blending humor with darker undertones. It follows a loosely structured narrative where relationships, power, and social dynamics unfold in unexpected and often unsettling ways. Kurniawan’s writing feels direct but unpredictable, shifting quickly from familiar situations into something strange or ironic. The tone can be playful in one moment and disturbing in the next, which gives the story its distinct edge.
Rather than focusing on a tight plot, the book leans into atmosphere and perspective, offering a sharp, unconventional look at human behavior.
Insightful and easy to read, this was a window into a world I’ve not read before. Sato was a great narrator with the anger and spite of every teenage, desperate to escape the grasps of their parents. Although nothing really happened until the very end, the message of the book was clear, and the writing entertaining.