Saman

In this slowly starting and loosely constructed novel, the key theme is freedom: the collective and individual struggle to be oneself and free. It is a battle for economic freedom: 'If the company wants to turn the failed rubber plantations into palm oil plantations, let them. But don't let them touch our trees.' The free peasants fight against forced cultivation and outrageous deceit and fraud. A battle for social freedom: worker's rights and the protection of the poor, who are perpetually victimized. A battle against the patriarchal power structure and the repression of women '...cocooned in domestic affairs, leaving strategic decision-making entirely in the hands of men.' More, 'Five or more unidentified bodies were found each week in South Sumatra. Two, or three of them were women. Many of these women were raped.' A battle against the oppression of religion: ' The Church itself is in a compromised position. The congregation is frightened by the spectre of Communism. The accusation of forcing people to convert to Christianity can only bring us in disrepute.' Covering it all are political freedom and freedom of expression: the fight against dictatorship, its intimidations through rape and demolitions, its tortures and its bureaucracy: 'the authorities have the power to buy or manipulate everyone.' Saman, the main character in this book, is a priest, who is accused of being a disguised communist. He is put in prison and tortured. He looses his faith: 'When I have to choose whether to stay in the Church or to be with my friends to whom I am committed, I have been leaning towards the latter ... here I am deciding to leave the priesthood.' He also becomes sexually free. After escaping prison, he works for an NGO 'Human Rights Watch' and uses Internet as the ultimate channel of free speech. This book is solidly anchored in Indonesian society with all its taboos. But it is also a very worthwhile read for non-Indonesians for its tackling of a universal human problem.