Customer Reviews

The Mute's Soliloquy

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a gen-xer, I grew up in Indonesia not knowing anything about Pram. He was a figure who popped up in the newspapers once in a while for receiving this or that award or when each of his new publication was banned by the regime. Possessing his book was a crime punishable by law. As a teenager, I saw his book, "The House of Glass" (rumah kaca) in a Singapore library, I was really curious, and felt compelled to pick it up. However, I was brought up never to challenge the authority so I stared from afar, hesitating whether to pick it up or not. I decided against it.

Years from then I would see that picture of young me in "The Mute's Soliloquy." A boy timid from intimidation. A boy raised in fear, never realising that the only thing to fear should have been fear itself. Pram, in a free world, I would grow up just like you didn't want your children to grow up. Pram, in a country I loved, I was told not to love it because it has no love for me. You wrote about the plight of a Hoakiou like me and that landed you in jail. I thank you for that.

In Indonesia, hardly anybody feel the power of a book anymore. Not me, Pram, I was with there with you through your sufferings. I was there with you in your tiny little house in front of the swamp cabbage. I never knew how much I love the country until I picked up "This Earth of Mankind." It came a little too late in my life, but, still I want to thank you for it.

It is a little sad for me to only be able to express all my admiration and gratitude in a forum like this. I hope this reached you one day, in whatever form it might be. I want to let you know that they might have taken away a large chunk of your life, but they will never take away your spirit and ideals. They are alive and well with me and many other readers who feel the same way. God bless you, Pram.

I had not read any of Pramoedya Ananta Toer's books before this one, but I will now try to read them all!

This volume is a compilation of various materials that Mr. Toer was able to write during his imprisonment (without trial) for 13 years. Most of that time was spent on the remote island of Buru, where he and other prisoners were used as corvee' laborers to reshape the island. They did this at a huge price in human suffering and death.

However, I would emphasize that the artistry and raw beauty in Mr. Toer's writing in The Mute's Soliloquy, shines through the misery and isolation faced by the author and the other prisoners. Mr. Toer gives us an idea of how he and some of other prisoners managed to maintain their basic humanity in the face of deprivation, torture and brutality. Mr. Toer's letters to his children, in particular, are moving, sometimes humorous, and insightful.

His book is a worthy companion of those by Primo Levi, Alexandr Solzhenitsyn, and Elie Weisel.

As usual, Pramoedya succeeds in giving a very moving and honest portrayal of life in Indonesia. This book evokes emotions deep within one's heart. It brings out one's compassions for the writer, his family, and his fellow prisoners. It also gives a very good description of how successfully had the Soeharto's regime oppressed the minds of Indonesian people. When reading this book, as with reading any of Pramoedya's books, one gets the sense of how passionately he loves Indonesia, how great a hope he has for the country and the people despite of all the atrocious treatments he has received from the government. However, the average readers will need to have a basic knowledge of Indonesian modern history from the year 1945 to be able to better enjoy this book.

This book is a monument for hundreds who died at the Buru penal colony. It also recorded the extraordinary human spirit of those prisoners who were left there practically to die from the cruel treatments, harsh environment and corrupt practices from the military officials.

This book is also a remarkable memoir. It is like a mirror that enable you to look at yourself, your life, your relationships and the depth of your soul. Many told me that they cried when they read about Pram's suffering. However this great man do not need our pity. He is a fighter, it is not possible to destroy this man. Despite all the arms and his army, Suharto fear this man who is armed only with humanity and compassion.

A memoir that should be in your library!

I was so impressed after I read Pramoedya Ananta Toer's deft review of Eduard Douwes Dekkera's "Max Havelaar" in the NY Times, that I knew I had to find other works written by him. Fortunately, I found the "The Mute's Soliloquy" shortly thereafter.

This book is the about the heroism of a life, a writer who does not see himself as heroic, but whose survival as a writer keeps alive the stories of all those who did not necessarily return home from the penal colonies. The book also imports a historic contextualization that shifts the world view East: how did World War II, how did colonialism, how did history impact Indonesia? How does this relate to Indonesia's current internal conflicts? This book is both personal and global.

it was hard for me to believe that pramoedya ananta toer's memoir so easily transcends the boundaries of culture and ethnicity. he speaks in a universal language that touches the hearts of all readers. each story in this collection of memoirs poignantly explores the nature of our lives: relationships and family, our inner struggles, our love for others, and society. not only is this a piece of history which must not be forgotten for the memory of those who suffered under Soeharto's regime, it is also a beautiful story that intertwines aspects of Pramoedya's life common to us all. a wonderful read.

I just attended the three-day symposium on Pramoedya's literary work and life in New York City. It was a celebration of The Mute's Soliloquy's translation into English for the first time, and Pram's first visit to the United States. Pak Pram discussed his books, his life, and Indonesia; Joesef Isak (Hasta Mitra), Goenawan Mohammed, and John McGlynn were also present. All courageous, brilliant people. It was such an amazing gift to be able to meet Pak Pram and hear him speak in his own words. He has endured so much and maintains a sense of humor that is astounding. Hearing him speak leaves no doubt about his convictions or his struggles. This book is a collection of writings that were writted by Pram during his fourteen year imprisonment on Buru Island, all of which were either smuggled out by Pram or hidden in a church in Namlea during his incarceration. That any writings survived is a miracle in itself. This book is a unique and rare opportunity to read about, and to simultaneously inhabit, a time which should never be forgotten or repeated. It is not only a beautifully complex and haunting literary work: it is a written record complete with a list of the dead at the back of the book which negates the denials heard too often regarding the events of the past. Too few people are aware of the genocide and repression that has gone on in Indonesia under the New Order regime. Beginning with the blood bath in 1965 that claimed over a million innocent lives in death, stealing whole decades from others in life, it continues to this day. The situation in Indonesia is something that the world has not taken seriously enough, and as Indonesia now looks toward its first democratic elections, we hope change will bring what Pram and others began fighting for over fifty years ago. Please read this book and continue to give voice to what the New Order had hoped to silence.

Lots of feeling came to me upon reading this latest novel by Pramoedya. This is the first story I've read about the experiences of tapol ('TAhanan POLitik' or political prisoner in Indonesian) in Buru Island because the tapol story is banned in Indonesia. I have read many moving stories about Auschwitz. In a smaller scale, reading The Mute's Soliloquy was like reading the Indonesian version of Auschwitz. Reading about the suffering of the prisoners in the Buru Island penal colony was like reading about people in a 'leper colony', the outcasts of the society. I started to read Pram's books when I was at a young age. From what I remember, his writings almost always represented the poor and the oppressed, the downtrodden and the outcast. So, it is a bit ironic that he became one of them. That's why the book is a very interesting read for me. If you are familiar with what's happening in Indonesia these days, you would be able to understand a little bit more of the 'why' from reading this book. There are so many corruptions in all facets of life including corruption of the mind of the people. This book doesn't have a happy ending, the only bit of satisfaction I get is from knowing that as I am writing this commentary, Pramoedya is on his way to visit the U.S.A. and Canada, for the very first time in his life. If you are for human rights, this book is a must read because it's written by a humanist.

Toronto, April 4, 1999

"The Mute's Soliloquy" is one of those books worth reading on its title alone. It recalls PA Toer's turbulent arrest and imprisonment by the Indonesian gov't. It's captivating, and I wish I had read more of his fiction first, thus I'd have a better appreciation for the struggle his life has been. The memoir does mellow out toward the end, but it is a powerful document and a tribute to human persistence. How PAT was never awarded the Nobel Prize is just amazing, and a shame.

Some of Toer's finest writing, quite ably translated by Samuels. A wonderful introduction to the general reader of who Toer is and what moves him. But also a insightful and moving testament to the power of a free mind and the saving grace of art for those who are familiar with this writer's work. It was once said by Wittgenstein that Shakespeare was a great writer, but that one sensed that Goethe was also a great man. Toer is a great man who happens to be a true writer.