Her works also compile with other writings in many anthologies. In addition, Dian Nafi is also active in various communities, and she often becomes a mentor in papers, including literary essays. One of Dian Nafi’s novels about pesantren life is “Gus”. This 198-pages Novel was first published in 2014 by Kakilangit Kencana. Although “Gus” is not as famous as the recently pesantren novels published, I think it’s a pity to pass up this Novel.
“Gus” tells the story about Mafazi, a Gus. The latter is expected to be the successor to his parents to take care of his pesantren. Still, he has no ambition to become a Kiai, even the caretaker of pesantren. So he tried to “run away from his responsibilities”, he rarely returned home, and he used his lectures as an excuse. Then, suddenly, there was a fire tragedy around the pesantren in his house. It changed many things and became the beginning of endless conflicts.
After the tragedy, Mafazi’s mother had sick and died. His mother is one of the important figures with a critical role in the continuity of his family’s pesantren education. The magazine feels doubt between his desire to focus on college and his dreams or fulfil his mother’s dreams; he became a Kiai and caregiver of the pesantren.
Before his hesitation was over, his father suddenly decided to marry again. The decision made Mafazi and his two siblings feel broken. Moreover, his stepmother had a son who was very pious and adorable; His name is Harun. Mafazi, who had no desire to become his father’s successor as a pesantren caregiver, suddenly felt threatened by Harun.