English translations bring Fatimah Busu’s stories, Ismail Zain’s essays to a wider audience

A view of 'Woman Bathing In A Stream, After Rembrandt' (1968) by artist Ismail Zain at the National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur in 2019. The painting serves as the cover for Fatimah Busu’s 'An Ordinary Tale About Women And Other Stories', while the late Ismail’s essays are compiled in 'Intermediations: Selected Writings On Art And Aesthetics'. Both books introduce English readers to these Malaysian arts and culture icons. Photo: The Star/Azlina Abdullah

Renowned Bahasa Malaysia novelist, short-story writer and academic Fatimah Busu, 82, is poised to reach a broader audience with the forthcoming book launch series of An Ordinary Tale About Women And Other Stories this month. This collection, released in December, introduces her powerful storytelling to new readers, showcasing strong societal views that have made her a literary force in Malaysia.

Translated by Pauline Fan, the book’s 10 short stories trace Kelantan-born Fatimah’s artistic journey from the 1960s to her mature period in the 1990s.