KBRN, Jakarta: On February 6, Indonesia commemorates the 100 years of one of its renowned authors, Pramoedya Ananta Toer. Many considered him, popularly called Pram, one of the best Indonesian writers ever.

Pram mostly known within Indonesia and abroad as the author of Buru Quartet, or Buru Tetralogy. It is a series of four novels written during his imprisonment in Buru Island, North Maluku in the 1960s through 1970s. He was jailed by the New Order government led by Indonesia's second president, Suharto due to alleged connection with the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI).

The series focuses more on the formation of the Indonesian state in the early 20th century. Because of this background, the novels are widely sought after by Indonesian people, especially students in the 1980s. However, there are many Pram's book recommendations that you can read during the celebration, and here is the list.

1. Arus Balik (Backflow)

Arus Balik is a novel that follows the story of the glory days of the Indonesian archipelago under the Majapahit Kingdom. The death of Prime Minister Gajah Mada also became the starting point for the kingdom to fragment one by one.

This more than 700-page novel focuses on the main character, Galeng. He is a young man from Tuban, now in East Java, trained to lead the war to seize Malacca (now in Malaysia) from the Portuguese.

The story then shifts to the kingdom conflict and political intrigue. In addition, it also tells the story of the war between kingdoms in the Java Sea.

2. Jejak Langkah (Footsteps)

It is undeniable that Pram is known as the author of the Buru Quartet. Jejak Langkah, the third part of the quartet, is one of the novels that is highly recommended to read.

Set up during the Dutch East Indies era, Jejak Langkah tells the story of Minke while he studied at STOVIA medical school in Batavia (currently Jakarta). During his journey, Minke used his knowledge and leadership skills to form an Islamic organization Sarekat Dagang Islam.

Minke also published Medan Priyayi, the first Malay-language newspaper in the Dutch colony. Unlike most newspapers that tended to the Dutch government, Medan Priyayi strongly criticized the policies of the Dutch government at the time.

3. Rumah Kaca (Glass House)

Rumah Kaca is the last of the four-book series of the Buru Quartet. In the book, the Dutch government tried to arrest and exile Minke, feeling cornered by Minke's journalism. Senior Police Officer Jacques Pangemanann was sent to monitor Minke's activities.

Unfortunately, Jacques always hesitated in his duties, but after all, Minke was exiled to Maluku. This was done so that Jacques could be promoted and get a multiple salary.

However, the senior policeman idolized Minke so much. Even in the novel, Jacques feels guilty for banishing Minke to Maluku.

4. Bukan Pasar Malam (It's Not an All-Night Fair)

Bukan Pasar Malam is one of Pram's best writing, it is a light novel with a non-complex storyline. The book teaches that life and family are not like a night fair, which can be visited for a while and left immediately. One by one, people will leave us without warning.

5. Perburuan (The Fugitive)

Hardo is a former commander at Defenders of the Homeland (PETA), a paramilitary formed during the Japanese occupation of Indonesia in World War II, who became a fugitive for carrying out a rebellion. In his fugitive status, Hardo was forced to hide in several areas. In his efforts to avoid the police, Hardo had to go through a bitter life experience as a vagrant.

In 2019, after the famous novel Bumi Manusia (This Earth of Mankind) was successfully adapted into a movie, Perburuan was also adapted. Interestingly, this novel not only provides a narrative about principles, loyalty, betrayal, and nationalism. Readers can also find tragedy in its story and find Hardo's love story with his fiancée, Ningsih.

(Original text by Annisa Ramadhannia on RRI.co.id)