Jesse Q. Sutanto is a Chinese-Indonesian author. As of 2023, she has published nine novels for adults, young adults, and middle grade readers. She is most famous for her novel Dial A for Aunties, which won the 2021 Comedy Women in Print Prize and has been optioned for a film by Netflix.
Jesse Q Sutanto | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Education | University of Oxford (MFA, 2009) |
| Occupation | Author |
| Notable work | Dial A for Aunties (2021) |
| Awards | Comedy Women in Print Prize (2021) |
Personal life
editSutanto grew up in a Chinese-Indonesian family, living in Singapore, Indonesia, and Oxford.[1] She speaks Mandarin, Indonesian, and English with her family.[1] She currently lives in Jakarta with her husband, who is English, and their two daughters.[1][2][3]
Writing career
editSutanto received her MFA in creative writing from Oxford University in 2009 and has been writing ever since.[4][5] She published her first book in 2021 and as of 2023, she has published nine books for readers of all ages.
Dial A for Aunties
editIn 2021, Sutanto published her hit novel, Dial A for Aunties. For this book, Sutanto became the first writer of colour to win the United Kingdom's Comedy Women in Print Prize.[1] The novel, which is a blend of romantic comedy and murder mystery, features Chinese-Indonesian culture through the lens of a girl, her mother and four aunts.[6]
In 2020, before Dial A for Aunties was even published, the film rights were bought by Netflix as a result of a bidding war.[7][5] Nahnatchka Khan and Chloe Yellin will adapt the novel into a film.[8] Khan was set to direct the project.[7][5] Sutanto will executive produce the film.[7]
Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers
editIn 2023, the rights for Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers were acquired by Warner Bros. TV for the production of a series adaptation.[8] Mindy Kaling‘s Kaling International and Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Films are set to produce the project.[9]
Published works
edit- Dial A for Aunties (2021)
- The Obsession (2021)
- Four Aunties and a Wedding (2022) (sequel to Dial A for Aunties)
- The New Girl (2022)
- Well, That Was Unexpected (2022)
- Theo Tan and the Fox Spirit (2022)
- Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers (2023)[10][11]
- I'm Not Done With You Yet (2023)
- Theo Tan and the Iron Fan (2023)
- Didn't See That Coming (2023) (sequel to Well, That Was Unexpected)
- The Good, the Bad and the Aunties (2024)
- You Will Never Be Me (to be published in 2024)
- Vera Wong's Guide to Dating a Dead Man (to be published in 2025)
References
edit- ^ a b c d Watkins, Emily (9 November 2021). "Jesse Sutanto: 'I'm grateful to women of colour who paved the way'". inews.co.uk. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ Flood, Alison (8 November 2021). "'Delicious caper' by Jesse Sutanto wins Comedy women in print award". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ "On murderous blind dates and aiming low as a writer: Jesse Q. Sutanto's literary voice". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ Shoenberger, Elisa (15 November 2022). "Where To Get Started Reading Jesse Q. Sutanto's Books". BOOK RIOT. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ a b c Kit, Borys (18 June 2020). "Nahnatchka Khan, Netflix Team for Romantic Comedy 'Dial A for Aunties' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ "'Well, That Was Unexpected': A novel filled with charm, wit and growing pains". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ a b c "How Asian film is making moves to take over from Hollywood". BBC News. 10 November 2020. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ a b Campione, Katie (10 April 2023). "Mindy Kaling & Oprah Winfrey's Harpo To Develop Series Adaptation Of 'Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice For Murderers' With Warner Bros TV". Deadline. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ Bell, BreAnna (10 April 2023). "Warner Bros. TV Acquires Jesse Q. Sutanto's 'Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers,' Harpo Films and Kaling International to Produce". Variety. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ Maxi Duncan. "'Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers' Review: A Refreshing Take on the Female Sleuth". The Harvard Crimson. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
- ^ Sutanto, Jesse Q., Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murders Narrated by Eunice Wong. Books on Tape.(2024). 2024 RUSA Listen List Revealed. American Library Association, January 20, 2024.