Child of All Nations

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.

How could the Editorial review from Booklist get it oh so wrong? Pramoedya Ananta Toer is not a Malaysian and his books are not banned in Malaysia. I am from Malaysia and I read his book "Keluarga Gerilya" (Guerrila Family)for Malay Lieterature during my school days sometime in 1985. Pramoedya is an Indonesian and his books are banned in his native Indonesia. Please get these kind of informations correct, as otherwise it would be seriously embarassing.

I love this book. The language, struggles and emotional conflicts allow the reader to visualize the time and be move by the story page by page. Pramoedya Ananta Toer is a great writer and I would recommend him to everyone.

Pramoedya's ability to illustrate the conflicts among the pure Javanese natives, half-breed Indos, and the Dutch colonialist masters is nothing short of phenomenal. The rights of the natives proved to be meaningless when it came face to face against the greeds of the colonial masters.

I want to correct a serious error in the last sentence of the first review posted on this page. It says that Toer's books "are banned in his native MALAYSIA." This is not the correct country. Toer is a native of INDONESIA, and the Buru quartet chronicles the emotional, political and social emergence of that nation. I met the author when I had the opportunity to translate for him during his trip to the US in 1999 -- I strongly feel that he would want people to know that his country is Indonesia!