Indonesia Out of Exile

‘If you want to start to understand modern Indonesia, you should read this book. It has a gripping story, fascinating detail, compelling analysis and is at the same time very accessible and a good read. Max Lane uses his great knowledge of Pramoedya Ananta Toer, and his writings, and his collaborators, to explain how and why Indonesia is as it is today, and how it might become what Pramoedya hoped.’

‘In telling the story of how Pramoedya Ananta Toer, Hasyim Rachman and Joesoef Ishak recaptured the original Indonesia, Max Lane reveals a hidden, complex yet critical part of Indonesia’s unfinished revolution.’

‘Max Lane has written a fascinating book about the creation and impact of one of the world’s greatest literary works. If you are already familiar with the Buru Quartet, Indonesia Out of Exile will deepen your understanding of it. And if you aren’t, here is a compelling and provocative introduction to these brilliant novels, written by the man who translated them into English and did more than anyone else to get for them the attention they so richly deserve in the anglophone world and beyond.’

‘I met Pramoedya Ananta Toer, thanks to Max Lane, whose meticulous translation of the books of Indonesia’s greatest novelist introduced the English speaking world to a man whose literature stood like a beacon during the long darkness of General Suharto’s dictatorship. Indonesia Out of Exile is Max Lane’s landmark new work in which he places Pramaoedya at the heart of a struggle that can teach and inspire all of us today.’

‘Indonesia Out of Exile shows how a book can play an important role in forming people’s outlook and consciousness, even that of a nation. Even today demonstrators at protest actions wear Tshirts quoting Pramoedya Ananta Toer’s books or featuring characters from his novels. On Buru Island prison camp, his stories helped raise the morale of the political prisoners. Many of the young activists who organised in the struggle to overthrow the New Order dictatorship were inspired by Pramoedya’s novels. Max Lane’s own book brings alive this exciting story of the impact of Pramoedya Ananta Toer’s books on Indonesia.’

Max Lane has been engaged with Indonesia for over 50 years. In the 1970s, he translated W.S. Rendra’s play The Struggle of the Naga Tribe, which was performed in English in Australia and Malaysia. He spent time with Rendra’s group, Bengkel Teater.

In the 1980s, he worked in the Australian Embassy in Jakarta when he started translating Pramoedya Ananta Toer’s This Earth of Mankind and its three sequels, together now known as the Buru Quartet. He was withdrawn from the Embassy by the Australian government for translating these banned books. He later translated Pramoedya’s novel Arok Dedes and historical work, The Chinese in Indonesia.

Returning to Australia, as its first editor, he helped found Inside Indonesia magazine. In the 1990s, he actively supported the democracy movements in Indonesia and East Timor and as a journalist wrote hundreds of articles about Indonesia.

He has written several books on Indonesia, including:

• Unfinished Nation: Indonesia Before and After Suharto
• Catastrophe in Indonesia
• An Introduction to the Politics of the Indonesian Union Movement
• Indonesia and Not
• Poems and Otherwise: Anecdotes Scattered

Some of his works have been published in Indonesian alongside other original writings.

He has lectured at the University of Sydney and Victoria University, and at universities in Indonesia, Southeast Asia, Europe, and the United States. He has been a research fellow at Murdoch University, the National University of Singapore, and the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies - Yusof Isak Institute, also in Singapore.

He is married to Indonesian playwright and theatre producer, Faiza Mardzoeki.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.