[G8W]⋙ [PDF] Child of All Nations Buru Quartet Pramoedya Ananta Toer Max Lane Books

Child of All Nations Buru Quartet Pramoedya Ananta Toer Max Lane Books

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Child of All Nations Buru Quartet Pramoedya Ananta Toer Max Lane Books

This is the second book in the wonderfully written Buru quartet. Originally composed and recited orally while the author was in prison for political reasons, the story was published in 4 volumes. The main themes are colonialism, class structure, and injustice in 1900 Indonesia. The main characters are a young native (Javanese) student, and native Nyai (concubine of a Dutch colonialist), her children, and various other characters as they confront their roles, the expectations of that society, and the injustices that entails. So far, this has been one of the best series I have ever read. One just gets totally into this world and deeply enmeshed with the characters. This particular volume continues where the last one left off. The native/Dutch daughter of Nyai has been sent to the Netherlands, where she suffers from deep depression. The family in Indonesia are frantic to help her. What will happen? I don't dare say here because it will give too much away. Another continuation from Book 1 is the reappearance of "Fatso," as we discover who he is and why he is following members of the family. Finally, we discover what has happened to Anneliese's brother, Robert, and what dreadful fate awaited him. I recommend this book highly and hope that everyone will read this wonderful author.


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Child of All Nations Buru Quartet Pramoedya Ananta Toer Max Lane Books Reviews

This is volume 2 of Pramoedya's monumental Buru Quartet.
In volume 1, Javanese narrator Minke has gone through personal tragedy and injustice, inflicted by the Dutch colonial system. The horror comes to a logical conclusion early in this 2nd volume. Minke is now a young widower. He still lives with his impressive mother in law, the self made and self educated woman who rose from concubine to smart business woman.

He becomes politically more aware. It is the turn of the century. The world is changing. Japan has grown in international status by becoming an imperialist of its own right. In China, there is unrest against the crumbling invader monarchy (though I wonder why PAT repeats the nonsensical claim that China has never been conquered.) The Filipinos are in rebellion. These Asian developments have an impact on the Dutch East Indies, as Indonesia was called. We expect to watch a national movement in its birth pains.

Minke, who has already made himself a name as a young journalist in the Dutch language, is criticized by his friends for not knowing his own people and for writing in the occupiers' language. He decides to learn more about Javanese peasant life and to write about it, as a good student of Multatuli, the Dutch critic of colonial practices. He realizes that nothing is simple or easy when it comes to economic facts and interpretations, that commercial interests are able to turn anything into propaganda. His mingling in sugar economics has violent consequences.

'It was not yet a time when people without shoes could talk to people with shoes.'
This second volume is much more explicitly political and anti-colonial than the more implicit first. I would guess that the sugar conflict between the company and the farmers, fanned by the naive journalist, was the reason for the Suharto government's decision to forbid the sale of the books. That kind of class struggle wasn't mere 'history'. It was reality even after decolonization.
The book is also giving more space to political and historical treatises, which makes it in parts a bit drier than the first volume. Still strong enough for 5 stars, I think.
A wonderful mix of history and drama. Enthralling, couldn't put the book down. A very exciting and moving series. Highly recommended.
Even more compelling than his first in the series, this book continues the story of Menke, Nyai, Darsam et al. and the Dutch sugar baron occupation of Eastern and Central Java. More detail on the odious treatment of the natives in the name of European corporate greed. As a Dutch descendent married to a Javanese woman I now understand much better than she could tell me about that oppression, and marvel that they don't seem to stll hate us. Human love and concern for one another are seen to shine through though and it is hard to end this book without a tear. In addtion to a good story and interesting history, springled through it are jewels of universal wisdom worth quoting. These books should be required reading and a part of any world citizen's education. On to book number 3 - then I may re-read the 4th, which I read first.
The second of the Buru Quartet that should be read in succession. This writer was introduced to me by a friend who is of Dutch/Indonesian descent. I am very grateful to him for introducing this writer to me. His first recommendation was to read The Fugitive, also authored by Pramoedya Ananta Toer; however was unable to find the said book; thenceforth, this was "the best alternative". I am truly inspired by this writer and his stye. He brings complex characters into life, in a style the is unique to him. It was as if I was in the midst of the times, places and people. One of the best Historical Fiction I have ever read. It is enough to know what both Aurthur and translator suffered to get these great work of literature to print.
This is the second book in the wonderfully written Buru quartet. Originally composed and recited orally while the author was in prison for political reasons, the story was published in 4 volumes. The main themes are colonialism, class structure, and injustice in 1900 Indonesia. The main characters are a young native (Javanese) student, and native Nyai (concubine of a Dutch colonialist), her children, and various other characters as they confront their roles, the expectations of that society, and the injustices that entails. So far, this has been one of the best series I have ever read. One just gets totally into this world and deeply enmeshed with the characters. This particular volume continues where the last one left off. The native/Dutch daughter of Nyai has been sent to the Netherlands, where she suffers from deep depression. The family in Indonesia are frantic to help her. What will happen? I don't dare say here because it will give too much away. Another continuation from Book 1 is the reappearance of "Fatso," as we discover who he is and why he is following members of the family. Finally, we discover what has happened to Anneliese's brother, Robert, and what dreadful fate awaited him. I recommend this book highly and hope that everyone will read this wonderful author.