This book consists of several semi autobiographical short stores written by Pramoedya
Ananta Toer.  The stories deal with major issues one confronts in life such as birth, death, compassion and revenge. 

My favorite is "All That Is Gone".  Toer, as a young child, noticed more and more each day that his father was absent from the home a great deal of the time.  When he asked his father where he had been, the answer was always the same - "at work".  When Toer asked if he could go along with his father the answer was "no".  Toer also noticed that his mother spent a great deal of time crying.

Toer's stories are very thought provoking.  He is known as the master of storytelling and one can see why after reading his books.  He purposely leaves much to your imagination.  You almost have to read between the lines and come up with your own conclusions.  This is what makes him such a unique writer.  His writing skills draw you into the story.  You become so involved in what he is writing that you start to think to yourself "I wonder if this is the conclusion he would want me to come to".  This is only the second book I have read by Pramoedya Ananta Toer.  I am truly looking forward to more of his books.

REVIEWED BY NANCY EATON

DO NOT REPRINT WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE AUTHOR, NANCY EATON