"This Earth of Mankind" is a novel by Indonesian author Pramoedya Ananta Toer, first published in 1980. The book is the first in a four-volume series called the Buru Quartet, which chronicles the struggle for independence in Indonesia during the early 20th century.
The novel is set in Java in the early 1900s, during the Dutch colonial period, and tells the story of Minke, a Javanese boy of mixed heritage who becomes involved in the struggle for independence. Through Minke's eyes, the novel explores themes of identity, race, class, and colonialism.
As a young boy, Minke is sent to a prestigious Dutch school, where he is exposed to Western ideas and literature. He falls in love with Annelies, a Dutch girl, but their relationship is complicated by the racial and social barriers that divide them. As Minke grows older, he becomes increasingly involved in the movement for independence, and begins to challenge the injustices of the colonial system.
The novel is notable for its portrayal of the complexities of colonialism, and for its frank depiction of racial and class tensions in Indonesian society. It has been praised for its vivid and engaging writing style, as well as for its historical accuracy and social commentary.
Despite being banned by the Indonesian government for many years, "This Earth of Mankind" has become a classic of Indonesian literature, and has been translated into many languages.
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