Andrea Hirata

Hirata was born in Gantung, Belitung.^[2] During the course of his youth, His parents changed his name seven times.^[3] The family eventually named him Andrea, with Hirata being given by his mother.^[3] He grew up in a poor family who lived not far from a government-owned tin mine operated by PN Timah (now PT Timah Tbk.).^[4]

Hirata started his higher education with a degree in economics from University of Indonesia.^[4] Although Andrea's major was economics, he is very fond of science—physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy and literature. After receiving a scholarship from one of European Union's programs, he took a master's program in Europe, first at the University of Paris, then at Sheffield Hallam University in the UK.^[4] Andrea's thesis in the field of telecommunications economics received an award from the university and he graduated cum laude.^[5] The thesis has been adapted into Indonesian and is the first telecommunications economic theory book written by an Indonesian. The book has been circulated as a scientific reference.

Andrea identifies himself more as an academic and backpacker. He is also pursuing his other dream of living in Kye Gompa, a village in the Himalayas.^[4]

Hirata released the novel Laskar Pelangi in 2005.^[6] The novel was written in six months based on his childhood experiences in Belitung.^[4] He later described the themes of the novel as an irony about the lack of access to education for children on one of the richest islands in the world.^[7] The novel sold five million copies, with pirated editions selling more than 15 million.^[3] The novel resulted in a two sequel of novels, namely Sang Pemimpi and Buku Besar Peminum Kopi

• Winner of BuchAwards 2013
• 2013 New York Book Festival Winner (general fiction category)^[8]
• Honorary Doctor of Letters (Hon DLitt) from Warwick University 2015