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Summary: Literature collectable
Review: This book tells a very good story. It has meaning, and reason. If you liked 'Cronicles of a death fortold'. This is a book I'm not willing to let go of. No one writes stories like Toer does. I liked his stories som much, I linked his site to my web page. This a story worth the time to read. This is the only book in the world I recomend anyone to read.
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Summary: For lovers of rich fiction a wonderful adventure. Superb!
Review: This brilliant novel weaves history, romance, a colorful story line, and rich characters. All the more precious for having so much of Toer's work lost to political oppresion
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Summary: Just the beginning of a long journey
Review: This is indeed a book about mankind; our eyes and mind are brought face to face with the humiliation and the joy of the book's main character, a son of a nobel Javanese who is struggling to find an identity, despite his naivete of European superiority (the story took place at the closing of the 19th century, when colonialization was in place). The word, 'modern,' was not yet in the dictionary, and Pramoedya expands to give us an unforgettable experience of seeing science unravel its power in front of mankind, for better or for worse, through the eyes of his main character. We are forced to question ourselves of our own identity, our own deeds, our own laws that govern our land, our own suffering, and our own opression on our fellow mankind. Finally, we are once again faced with the sour reality of mankind when Pramoedya twists the story toward an unexpected and sad but brave ending. I am an Indonesian who had been educated by text books written and mandated by the Indonesian government, the new ruler on the East Indies, the land that Pramoedya's epic story took place. I am amazed, marveled, transcended by the way Pramoedya revealed to me the secret of our culture, the reasons why my ancestors submitted to colonialization for more than three centuries. Pramoedya has opened the eyes of my soul to see the things surrounding my culture and my country, its history and its effort to come to terms with colonialization more closely, more vigilantly. Pramoedya's writing is truly unique, and his insight toward mankind, cultural differences, and whatever else that has brought us near the end of this century is completely powerful. Now, almost exactly 100 years later than when the story took place, many of the wisdom and sorrow Pramoedya writes about still hold place. Truly. The first of the Buru Quartet books, I recommend this book to any man and woman, of any nation and culture.
Rating: 
Summary: Suspense and History
Review: This is the first of four books that are written from Pramoedya Ananta Toer's imprisonment - he spent his years in prison telling this story to his fellow prisoners, and wrote it all down when he got out.
Just imagine being imprisoned on a cruel island with the ironic name of Buru (bird). Then imagine Mr. Toer telling you and other prisoners a long story about a young man's political awakening, Indonesia's colonial history - years, days, places, players - and a whole host of other fascinating characters. Complete with suspense and romance, this the first of four long books that contain the whole story of Minke. In each cliffhanger, you can sense where Mr. Toer had to stop telling his story, leaving his captive audience hanging on for the next day...
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Summary: ***** THE Indonesian novel--
Review: This is THE Indonesian novel, by that country's most originalwriter. Perfect for courses in comparative or post-colonialliterature, "This Earth" is accessible enough for the casual reader who just wants to try something truly different. For reviews and further background, see: The Nation, 2/3/92; The New Yorker, 5/27/96; New York Times Book Review, 6/9/96; Time, 7/22/96; and The Washington Post, 8/11/96.
Rating:
Summary: Splendid!
Review: Toer is genius! It was ashamed this book was banned before. Indonesian people should read this book. It will teach them about dignity and proud as a nation. Something that has vanished long time ago. This book is beautiful. It shows the beauty of Indonesia literature.
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Summary: *sigh*
Review: Wow! This book is excellent, if I had to discribe it in one word it would be --POETIC-- Every sentence in this book has some sort of deep value, whether historical, poetical, or impressional. I have learned alot from this novel about the Javanese people and the Dutch colonial times in Indonesia. I am currently reading the rest of the quartet and it is just as fabulous as the first volume.
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