Hidden Force/Couperus -Li [Paperback]

L. Couperus (Author), E. M. Beekman (Editor), Alexander Teixeira De Mattos (Translator)

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, Dutch (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: University of Massachusetts Press (January 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0870237152
• ISBN-13: 978-0870237157
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #321,111 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #87 in Books > History > Europe > Netherlands

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Master in description of characters, July 12, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Hidden Force/Couperus -Li (Paperback)

I've read this book several times ( in Dutch). Couperus is one of our best writers of the end of last century. He's a master in describing the feelings of his characters. This book is about a family in the East. It's about the difference between east and west, about the hidden powers of the people surpressed by the Dutch colonial government. It's also about passions and secret relationships. And on top of that it's even a thrilling story. Dutch TV made an adaption a few years ago which was very inspiring. Look for similar books by couperus about the society of The Hague at the turn of the century.It may be difficult to acquire in the States, but it's worth the trouble, because it's a great piece of Dutch literature.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The finest novel of the Dutch East Indies, December 16, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Hidden Force (Library of the Indies) (Hardcover)

This is a wonderful novel, an exploration of sexuality, colonialism, race and power in colonial Indonesia. The book is not easy -- there is nuance and no movie version -- but Couperus brilliantly critiques the paranoia of the late Dutch empire. Read it alongside Pramoedya, or Forster, or maybe even Dermout.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great read for anybody interested in the mystical East, March 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Hidden Force/Couperus -Li (Paperback)

I've read this book in a different translation, published by Oxford Press Asia - a very careful update on an old translation from England. The book was a great read during a long trip in Indonesia - as the experience of the travels and the book played off each other nicely. It is also a fast read and the occasional lapse into rather very flowery language is easily forgiven as the story moves to a harrowing conclusion. Holland's Joseph Conrad.