Reviews of INDONESIA OUT OF EXILE: How Pramoedya’s Buru Quartet Killed a Dictatorship by Max Lane

RAPPLER ‘Indonesia Out of Exile’: Imagination and liberation Walden Bello June 29. 2023 https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/opinion-indonesia-out-of-exile-book-review/?fbclid=IwAR3wY1xs7FMwOPN3SoUbwEJ6lhLag17rcMnsJ7lMQrStuuwsBuTtYAY99PU SYDNEY MORNING HERALD How a political prisoner’s novels gave Indonesia a sense of history Chris Barrett 23 February, 2023 https://www.smh.com.au/culture/books/how-a-political-prisoner-s-novels-gave-indonesia-a-sense-of-history-20230220-p5clwq.html?fbclid=IwAR1TEmrmp1cjqhDm4MM_w5Wk8vl5dLMphgkz3y8VL9cgeA3yxXT5LUo3i8E JAKARTA POST Understanding the impact of Pramoedya’s ‘Buru Quartet’ Tunggul Wirajuda 22 February, 2023https://www.thejakartapost.com/culture/2023/02/22/understanding-the-impact-of-pramoedyas-buru-quartet.html? MEER.COM Pramoedya Ananta Toer – An Indonesian literary […]

Pramoedya Ananta Toer – An Indonesian Literary Icon by JOSE RAMOS HORTA

“It was in Buru that Pramoedya created “the Quartet”. Initially forbidden access to writing materials, Pramoedya recited the stories; vivid tales of the creation of Indonesia, a time of national awakening and rebellion against the colonial rulers, orally to other prisoners. When Pramoedya and two of his fellow prisoners, Joesoef Isak and Hasyim Rachman, were […]

Widodo Government Acknowledges Gross Human Rights Violations Happened: The Unstoppable Erosion of a Fundamental Taboo by Max Lane

“Spokespersons for the Widodo government since 2014 have regularly stated that they are seeking a “completion” (penyelesaian) of this issue, implying that once there is “resolution”, there will correspondingly be no further need for public debate. It is probable that, with about a year to go in Widodo’s second and final term as president, he […]

Indonesia’s ‘Social Opposition’ Remains Weak but Hopeful by Max Lane

It can be characterised as a social opposition as it does not present itself as an alternative choice to form a government. During 2022, there have been more attempts by activists to coalesce in order to present more effective criticism. These have included attempts at forming political parties. The Workers Party (Partai Buruh, PB) has […]