Andrea Hirata Seman Said Harun or better known as Andrea Hirata is an Indonesian novelist who hails from Bangka Belitung islands. His first novel was Laskar Pelangi which spawned two sequels (previously three),
Hirata was born in Gantung, Belitung. During the course of his youth, His parents changed his name seven times. The family eventually named him Andrea, with Hirata being given by his mother. 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.).
Hirata started his higher education with a degree in economics from University of Indonesia. Although Andrea's major was economics, he is very fond of scienceâÂÂphysics, 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. Andrea's thesis in the field of telecommunications economics received an award from the university and he graduated cum laude. 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.
Hirata released the novel Laskar Pelangi in 2005. The novel was written in six months based on his childhood experiences in Belitung. 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. The novel sold five million copies, with pirated editions selling more than 15 million. The novel resulted in a two sequel of novels, namely Sang Pemimpi and Buku Besar Peminum Kopi