Tales from Jakarta in the 1940s

“Cerita Dari Jakarta” by Pramoedya Ananta Toer

This is a book of 12 short stories, that shows Jakarta in the turbulent 1940s, from 12 different perspectives. The stories are incredibly diverse with rich characters:

1. The struggles of a white-skin maid during the occupation of the Dutch and then the Japanese.
2. A conversation between 2 hungry wanderers in the city.
3. The tragic back story of a domestic abuse victim running away from home.
4. A neighborly conversation with an enigmatic Arab.
5. An art enthusiast talking about books, movies, and drama plays.
6. An animal doctor who lives and works in the Dutch, Japanese, revolution, and independence eras.
7. A prostitute in the time of Japanese occupation.
8. The story about many different types of maid in the city.
9. A rags-to-riches story about a man called Maman, who lives at the bottom end of society.
10. The deep reason behind a street musician’s performance.
11. The story about a famous martial arts expert, who turned into a heroic soldier, then moved into politics and lose his soul.
12. Life in Jakarta’s main train station, Gambir. Told from the perspectives of the porters, the food stall seller, the police, the local thugs, and more.

These stories show, among others, that it is not the character of a person that will determine how he or she will act. But it is the circumstance in which they found themselves in, that will prompt them to react. And the stories show the extreme interpretation of this, using the most incredible tales of hardship and hope in the capital city.