Disguised: A Wartime Memoir

by Rita la Fontaine de Clercq Zubli

Told in her own words, here is the true story of a girl who posed as a boy during World War II — and dared to speak up for her fellow prisoners of war.

With the Japanese army poised to invade their Indonesian island in 1942, Rita la Fontaine’s family knew that they and the other Dutch and Dutch-Indonesian residents would soon become prisoners of war. Fearing that twelve-year-old Rita would be forced to act as a "comfort woman" for the Japanese soldiers, the family launched a desperate plan to turn Rita into "Rick," cutting her hair short and dressing her in boy’s clothes. Rita’s aptitude for languages earned her a position as translator for the commandant of the prisoner camp, and for the next three years she played a dangerous game of disguise while advocating against poor conditions, injustice, and torture. Sixty-five years later, Rita describes a war experience like no other — a remarkable tale of integrity, fortitude, and honor.
Back matter includes a glossary.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, History, Biography Memoir, War, School

366 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2001

About the author

Rita la Fontaine de Clercq Zubli grew up in Indonesia, where she and her family endured three and a half years in Japanese POW camps. After the war, Rita resumed her life as a young woman and married a Dutch rubber planter. They have four grown children and live in Nashua, New Hampshire.

Reviews

[Lisa James · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fascinating memoir about a part of WW2 that I'd never even HEARD about. To live from the ages of 12-15 disguised as a boy, working with your captors, being entrusted to the things she was privy too, & to still try to provide for her family, that took amazing dedication. I was impressed!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilling true story that kept my interest peeked.

[Sabrina Zee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Buku ini adalah autobiografi perempuan keturunan Belanda yang tinggal di Indonesia pada zaman penjajahan Jepang. Ditulis dengan kata-katanya sendiri, Rita la Fontaine berusaha menggambarkan apa yang terjadi padanya dan juga keluarganya sewaktu menjadi tawanan perang.

Setting dimulai pada akhir tahun 1941 setelah Jepang menghancurkan Pearl Harbour dan mencetuskan Perang Dunia II. Ayah Rita adalah seorang pekerja di bagian kepengurusan telegram. Ia sudah bisa menebak apa yang akan terjadi pada keluarganya begitu Jepang memutuskan untuk masuk ke Hindia Belanda. Rita, sebagai anak perempuan satu-satunya, diminta untuk menyamar menjadi anak laki-laki supaya tidak dijadikan budak seks untuk penjajah Jepang. Saat itu usia Rita dua belas tahun.

Perjalanan dimulai. Rita, ibu, Tante, dan kedua adiknya harus tinggal di kamp tawanan perang bersama wanita-wanita dan anak kecil lain. Kamp pria terpisah sehingga ayah Rita harus ditempatkan di kamp yang berbeda dengan mereka. Tiga tahun lamanya mereka berjuang untuk tetap bertahan hidup di kamp yang kotor dan jelek.

Entah kenapa saya membandingkan memoir ini dengan Between Shades of Gray karya Ruta Sepetys. Keduanya sama-sama menceritakan kehidupan tawanan perang. Hanya saja, entah benar atau salah, kamp Jepang ini kok sangat manusiawi ya. Tidak seperti kamp Rusia di BSoG. Pemimpin kamp sangat baik hati pada Rita yang diubah namanya menjadi Rick. Kebetulan Rita bisa bahasa Jepang karena pernah belajar sewaktu menjadi asisten di sebuah kantor yang atasannya orang Jepang. Karena itulah, ia dipercaya untuk menjadi penerjemah. Dan para pemimpin kamp sayang banget sama si Rita.

Baru pertama kali saya baca kehidupan perang seindah ini. Rita itu beruntung sekali karena disukai para atasan Jepang bahkan dipuji-puji pula. Dan saya jadi merasa buku ini dituturkan oleh orang yang narsis. Bayangkan saja. Pujian-pujian itu banyak sekali. Tidak hanya dari para atasan Jepang, tapi juga dari penghuni kamp tawanan. Semuanya selalu berterima kasih atas bantuan Rita walau saya pikir bantuan yang diberikan Rita tidak terlalu istimewa. Dan Rita baru berusia tiga belas tahun saat itu. Aneh saja rasanya membaca hal seperti itu.

Kurang konflik, menurut saya. Atau mungkin kurangnya penjelasan dan deskripsi-lah yang membuat saya tidak menikmati buku ini. Rita tidak terlalu menjelaskan latar belakang ayah ibunya. Ia juga tidak menjelaskan kedua adiknya itu seperti apa. Seluruh cerita hanya berlangsung di sekitar Rita sendiri. Bahkan Rita tidak menjelaskan banyak soal kematian ibunya. Seakan kematian itu tidak ada artinya. Beneran. Saya merasa ada yang salah dari buku ini. Tidak ada emosinya sama sekali. Padahal sayang. Saya suka sekali tema perang begini.

[Katrine Sjovold]

Disguised: A wartime Memoir
Rita De Clercq Zubli
This book is about the story of Rita, turned to Rick, and the hardships she faces throughout WWII. To save her from becoming a "loose women," under the command of the Japanese, Rita's family make a dramatic decision: Make Rita "Rick," a smart young 12 year old boy. The instinct for survival is strong in this story, as Rita impresses his superior captains with her quick learning ability, and a willingness to test everything. The hardships of war are still upon her though, her family is separated as her surrounding community are forced into camp, after camp, after camp as POW's. Rita lives through it all, letting few people know who she really is, and recounts it minute to minute, hour after agonizing hour, day through devastating day in her autobiography.
I really did like this book, I couldn't put it down, and I wanted to keep reading. There were a few parts that were slightly dull, but other then that, I found it really enjoyable. I did notice something throughout the book. Some good things would happen, for what seemed for months for Rita, and then something absolutely terrible would happen to her, and the rest of the POW's. It was only understandable that things are constantly changing during war. I can't ask her to change her story, as it is a non-fiction, actual account of what happened. But even the author managed to keep it interesting, which is why I'd highly recommend this book, even if you aren't someone who loves reading about history, which is the kind of person I am
Pages: 366

[Dogeared Wanderer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This memoir is no ordinary World War II story of a prisoner of war. A young woman from Sumatra in the Dutch East Indies is disguised as a boy by her family for nearly four years to avoid becoming a "comfort woman" for Japanese soldiers. Rita became "Rick" and used her gifted mind to hide in the open as an interpreter and clerk for Japanese captors.

The book is written from the perspective of a sheltered well-to-do 12-year-old girl who is thrust into a traumatizing war zone and several prison camps while trying to maintain her disguise as a man and dignity as a woman. A fascinating perspective of the war zone at that time!

⚠️ Contains mature content

[Joel · Rating 4 out of 5]

actually finished this a few days ago but it is an actual book so it doesnt update to this sight. i tried everything, tapping it, throwing it across the room, but no! nothing worked. so i had to go down into the computing room where my 1950's computer takes up the entire length of the subterranean chamber...fill out a punch card the size of an encyclopedia and Manually enter it into this data base. OMG it was exhausting. But i digress... this was the memoir of Rita la Fontaine and her WWII wartime experience in the Indonesian islands. Since she was 12 years old and a girl, and people knew young girls were used as a "comfort woman" her family disguised her as a boy. I like reading memoirs from pivotal moments in history, especially from perspectives I've never thought of. Rita tells her story in a matter of fact way. And it flows well. She did a good job of it.

[Amalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

buku ini menceritakan kisah seorang anak perempuan yang menyamar sebagai anak laki-laki di tengah masa penjajahan Jepang. dia tidak hanya berdiam diri karena sudah merasa aman sebagai anak laki-laki, tetapi dia juga berusaha untuk melindungi keluarganya, dia bekerja dengan tekun, belajar bahasa dengan ulet, dan dia juga cerdas. aku suka bagian saat Rick bekerja, itu seperti menambah pengalaman juga untukku karena kisahnya yang seru dan menarik. buku ini banyak berisi berbagai macam perasaan, seperti perasaan sedih, senang, sampai perasaan mengerikan tentang bagaimana tawanan perang diperlakukan buruk oleh penjajah. berkali-kali aku kagum dengan Rita yang menyamar sebagai Rick, kisah ini inspiratif bagiku. terima kasih untuk buku yang bagus ini!

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rita la Fontaine's life changes when she becomes a boy. Her family, worried she will become a Japanese "comfort woman" after the takeover of their Indonesian island, turns her into "Rick". Soon they are shipped off to a POW camp, where "Rick" gets an important job. Using "his" influence, "he" tries to make life better for "his" fellow POWs, while mainting "his" disguise. A wonderful true story. It was very compelling to read. I would recommend it to anyone wanting an interesting but nonfiction book.

[Mary K · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the most astounding stories I’ve ever read. The author was unpretentious, and it’s a war story like none I’ve ever read. The book is not only about her survival, but also her brilliance and kindness. It’s a lesson in how to REALLY make the best of horrific circumstances and how life may turn out much better than expected when you do so.

[Tara Symkoviak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! It really surprised me because at first I thought it would be a boring non-fiction book, but it actually was really good! I loved this book so much I probably would read it again. I never really read non-fiction because I don’t enjoy reading it, but this I really enjoyed. I think anyone would like this book!

[Antarisna Taury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mengungkap sisi lain dari masa perang, luar biasa untuk sadar kalau kisah ini adalah kisah nyata. Anak 13 tahun mampu menanggung beban dan berhasil melewati setiap keadaan yang pelik. Ada persahabatan, saling respek antar manusia

[Fastontheroad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ekspetasi gua penyamarannya bakal dikit-dikit ketauan tapi ini lancar bangat anjir. Gua kira kehidupan mereka bakal makin sengsara tapi ini lancar, ikut arus aja gitu. Mungkin gua udah biasa hidup susah kali yah, jadi konflik Rita ini gua liat ya biasa aja walau dia masih bocah

[Mirna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beruntung sekali pernah membaca ini :)

[Sarah Nasralla]

When you are a teen about 12-15 years old what were your top priorities and If you are a teen yourself what do you value the most? What do you stress or get scared about? Homework, finals, hanging out, gossipy friends, your girlfriend or your boyfriend? Maybe, but what you don't know is that these things are not every teen's precedence, they are nothing compared to what they go through every day. Disguised a personal memoir by Rita la Fontaine de Clercq Zubli is about her early teen life during a war where she needs to pretend to be a boy to save her life and her family’s life. The book is full of life lessons that were learned the hard way and situations that teens her age don’t get to expricance. Because the book is written about the time of war, there are so many unexpected scenario and twists.
After everybody was “encamped” a couple of months the soldiers had a party so that they don’t feel that they are working all the time. To the writer’s surprise and to my surprise, this was not like a typical, elegant and professional party that officers would go to. Rick aka Rita was invited because the commander knew from her teacher that she could play the accordion. She was excited to attend a party, and not like any other party, a one that had all of the important people, unfortunately, that is what she thought. When she was getting ready to play she saw the guests and the hosts becoming, “...more physical, exchanging kisses and other forms of affliction,” which was too surprising to her especially that these women’s husbands were away in another camp (89). The problem here is that she wasn’t educated about these things at least from her parents. It is for the best that parents should educate and warn their kids about these things before they get demonstrated outside. Because she saw all that with confusion she couldn’t understand why was all of this is happening, “for days [she] wandered around with questions whirling in [her] head.”(92). The problem here is that she wasn’t educated about these things at least from her parents.
“One out of every 20 children aged fifteen and younger will suffer the loss of one or both parents,” in the United States during 2008. However, there is a huge diffenece between losing a parent during 2008 and during 1942 in the time of war. Rita was one of these teens that lost her mom in the time where,“[she] needed her,” the most, the time of war where she needs to pretend to be a boy (151). Fortunantly her aunt tried to fill that empty space, but a mother’s place can’t be replaced and she is going to live without her mom for the rest of her life in a time like this.
Getting a job was one of the fortunate unexpected events that happened. On the other hand, that job became like a heavy load that she has to carry on her shoulders for the sake of her family. Nobody at the same age (12 years old!) as her had a job and it is not like any other labor jobs, it is one on a desk (only in the beginning though). Her intelligent didn’t throw away her innocence that is why it was so hard when one, “side, being committed to doing [her] responsibilities, [that] prevents [her] from doing…” what is right (236). Who would have thought that the fine prestige job that she received as a young age will make her emotionally hurt?
The most unfair and unexpected true scenario here is that her, “father and [the] countrymen are to be returned to jail,” seven days right after her mother’s death. Now her aunt is the only one that can take care of them, but how can she do that when she is a woman in 1943 in the time of war. Everything crumbled down within a week and they didn’t even do anything wrong.
This book is full of life lessons and experience only a few people have experienced, but not only teen but kids and adults. The book might be a bit too long for an average ten-year-olds, but the easy word chose, balances that out. It is most appropriate for kids from the age twelve if under than that, they must ask their parents. It has some good little life for parents too (second paragraph). It is hard putting yourself in others people’s shoe especially Rita’s and many like her because you don’t ever want to be in that position. We are so blessed that we are not affected by any wars right now, and by that true story, we should all be thankful for the life that was given to us.


*More info and deep thinking is on this website:
https://www.pluggedin.com/book-review...

Resources:
Disguised a personal memoir by Rita la Fontaine de Clercq Zubli
https://www.childrensgriefawarenessda...

[Deja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful book. I would recommend this 100 times more. I pray all is well for Rita today and she got everything she desired in life

[Purry Agisti · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is what drive me to love historical fiction

[Okta Wiguna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Asap hitam yang membubung di pesisir Jambi menandakan kedatangan pasukan Jepang di kota itu. Namun, Pastor Koevoets mendahului kedatangan pasukan itu ke rumah Vic la Fontaine dengan rencana yang akan mengubah kehidupan Rita, putri sulung keluarga tersebut.

Jauh sebelum pasukan Jepang datang, kabar pemaksaan perempuan tanpa pandang bulu menjadi wanita penghibur tentara sampai di telinga Koevoets. Sebagai sahabat keluarga la Fontaine, ia tak rela Rita menjadi korban keganasan pasukan Nippon dan mengusulkan remaja putri itu menyamar menjadi lelaki.

Dan kemudian… kres, kres, kres. Gunting Koevoets memangkas helai demi helai rambut sepinggang Rita. Seiring dengan tetesan air mata gadis ini, Rita tak ada lagi. Sejak hari itu, ia berubah menjadi Rick la Fontaine.

Begitulah awal penyamaran Rita la Fontaine de Clercq Zubli menjadi lelaki selama tiga tahun lebih masa pendudukan Jepang di Indonesia. Rita menceritakan ulang kisah hidupnya itu dalam enam bagian berdasarkan bulan-bulan ia menjadi tawanan perang.

Tak terlalu jelas alasan pembagian itu. Tapi, bila ditilik dari cerita di tiap bagian tersebut, akan kelihatan perubahan peta kekuatan tentara Jepang terhadap pasukan Sekutu dan pengaruhnya terhadap sikap mereka di kamp tawanan perang.

Setelah terbit pertama kali di Amerika Serikat pada 2001 dengan judul Disguised: A Teenage Girl’s Survival in World War II Japanese Prison Camps, buku ini menghilang begitu saja. Kisah Rita ini tak akan sampai ke Indonesia andai penulis buku anak, Alison Morris, tak gigih mencari jejak keberadaannya.

Morris tengah menyusun buku tentang perempuan dalam sejarah yang menyamar menjadi lelaki ketika ia menemukan buku Rita. Berkali-kali usaha melacak penulis buku tersebut gagal. Namun, Morris tak menyerah, hingga ia menemukan alamat Rita di Nashua, New Hampshire, Amerika Serikat.

Morris membujuk penerbit Candlewick merilis ulang buku Rita. Pada September 2007, kisah Rita selama menjadi Rick diterbitkan ulang dengan judul Disguised: A Wartime Memoir. Dan versi Indonesia diterbitkan dengan sampul dan judul yang sama.

Morris menyatakan Rita punya memori emosional yang mampu merekam semua perasaan di masa remaja serta daya ingat mendetail soal sejarah. Namun, Morris barangkali luput akan kerja keras Rita dan suaminya, Dan, mengecek ulang akurasi data sejarah.

Membaca buku ini bagai mengikuti campuran kisah Diary of Anne Frank dalam persembunyian dari kejaran tentara Nazi dan kamp konsentrasi dengan cuplikan masa kecil Sayuri, tokoh novel Memoirs of a Geisha. Rick juga harus berhadapan dengan budaya kehidupan malam dan perempuan penghibur Jepang.

Akhir cerita ini sudah ketahuan dari awal bahwa penyamaran itu sukses dan Rita selamat dari kamp konsentrasi. Namun, Rita, yang bukan penulis profesional, sukses mencuplik bagian pengalamannya yang penuh drama. Kegembiraan, kesedihan mendalam, dan ketegangan tanpa letusan senjata dijalin menjadi cerita yang hidup.

Maka, dalam buku ini akan ditemui tak hanya kisah kehidupan tawanan perang, tapi juga kegelisahan seorang gadis menjalani hidup sebagai lelaki. Terasa pula kegundahan seorang remaja dalam lingkungan yang sangat tak normal dengan beban hidup melebihi umur karena menanggung peran besar bagi keluarga di kamp konsentrasi.

Sayangnya, Rita, yang ayahnya berdarah campuran Eropa dan Indonesia, sangat mengecilkan peran kalangan Bumiputera sebatas pekerja di rumahnya dan orang-orang yang mengabdi kepada Jepang. Ini barangkali akibat politik rasialis pemerintah kolonial, yang menempatkan orang Indo seperti dirinya pada kasta yang lebih tinggi ketimbang masyarakat pribumi, yang dilihatnya tak beradab untuk standar orang Eropa.

Buku ini memang menampilkan sisi berbeda dari ajaran sejarah Indonesia, yang menggambarkan Jepang sebagai penjajah yang lebih kejam ketimbang Hindia Belanda. Rita menggambarkan sikap pengelola kamp konsentrasi Jepang yang keras tapi santun dan baik, setidaknya kepada Rita. Bahkan penderitaan tawanan perang Eropa dalam buku ini lebih banyak akibat fasilitas yang tak semewah hidup mereka dulu dan karena penyakit, bukan karena penganiayaan.

Karena cerita berpusat pada diri Rita, hanya penulisnyalah yang tahu seberapa dekat isi buku ini dengan kenyataan. Apalagi sosok Rick terkesan kelewat hebat dan hampir sempurna. Perang bisa saja membuatnya cepat dewasa.

Meski begitu, sulit dipercaya, seorang remaja yang di awal cerita begitu takut terhadap pasukan Jepang mendadak berubah menjadi tenang dan dingin saat berhadapan perwira intelijen kamp konsentrasi, yang piawai menginterogasi.

[an · Rating 3 out of 5]

memang mudah bagi kita untuk menyerah, tapi adalah tantangan untuk bisa bertahan dan menang (hlm. 11)

rita la fontaine, anak perempuan berkebangsaan belanda yang karena keadaan dan pekerjaan orang tua tinggal dan besar di nusantara pada masa perjuangan kemerdekaan. lahir dari bangsa penjajah membuat dia mendapatkan pendidikan dan fasilitas yang baik. namun keadaan ini tidaklah lama, sampai dengan mas pendudukan jepang. saat bangsa indonesia berjuang memperoleh kemerdekaan mereka dari penjajah yang lain, rita dan keluarga na berjuang sebagai tawanan perang.

karena pengetahuan seorang pastor akan tabiat orang jepang dalam memperlakukan perempuan, maka keluarga ini memutuskan untuk menyamarkan keberadaan rita sebagai anak lelaki, rick. dari sinilah kisah perjuangan seorang anak dimulai, dari camp ke camp. ntah karena penulis na dari belanda atau memang gaya bahasa na, tulisan ini seakan tidak menggambarkan keadaan indonesia saat itu. saat bangsa indonesia yang lain sedang berjuang memperoleh kemerdekaan, mempertahankan diri dari penyakit dan kelaparan, bahkan untuk memperoleh pakaian layak saja susah tapi orang-orang tawanan perang ini tampak na bisa hidup kecukupan. dengan pakaian yang masih mereka miliki, dengan ransum yang masih dibagi dan tempat tinggal serta pemeliharaan kesehatan. apakah perbedaan perlakukan ini terjadi karena mereka bekas penjajah? padahal statusnya juga tawanan perang. mengapa jepang tidak bisa berlaku serupa kepada bangsa indonesia yang mereka jadikan pekerja kasar atau hal lain yang tidak menunjukkan sisi kemanusiaan.

sedikit beralih dari fakta belanda dan jepang sebagai penjajah, melalui kisah rick ini tampak sisi lain mereka sebagai manusia, makhluk sosial penghuni semesta. Keluarga rick yang setelah lama menjadi populasi dengan prioritas tertinggi akhir na menjadi tawanan perang dan kehilangan semua perlakukuan istimewa terhadap mereka. sedangkan jepang yang tampak na berlaku semena-mena bisa juga berbaik hati kepada para tawanan. kalo tawanan membangkang mereka tidak segan menghukum mereka, sedangkan jika mereka melakukan hal yang benar, maka jepang pun tak menolak untuk membantu mereka. fasilitas yang ada memang tampak na tidak layak, tapi kembali lagi itu semua karena keadaan sebagai tawanan perang. tapi dari pihak jepang yang menawan mereka pun berusaha untuk membuat para tawanan nyaman di camp-camp tawanan.

hal ini dirasakan rick dan keluarga mereka yang sempat merasakan ditawan dan akhir na dibebaskan sementara sebelum akhir na masuk camp lagi. pembebasan ini dilakukan karena kemampuan rick dan ketaatan keluarga mereka selama mnjadi tawanan perang. karena kemampuan ayah na sebelum na dia bisa mendapatkan pekerjaan selepas na dari camp, begitu juga rick. kedekatan dengan atasan jepang na saat itu ternyata membuat na bertahan di camp-camp selanjut na. para atasan jepang na kemudian tampak sebagai orang yang tak segan membantu dan mengabulkan permintaan na jika dia melakukan pekerjaan dengan baik dan tidak melanggar peraturan yang ada.

begitu baik na para atasan jepang ini walaupun dari camp ke camp selalu saja ada pergantian komandan camp. apakah ini karena kemampuan rick atau memang para penjajah itu masih punya nurani. sampai akhir na jepang, yang semula menjadi penjajah di indonesia, juga harus menjadi negeri terjajah dengan jatuh na negara mereka karena bom di hirosima dan nagasaki. antara pertempuran mempertahankan negeri sendiri atau mempertahankan negara jajahan. dan saat na mereka harus memilih pulang demi negeri mereka, sekali lagi nurani diuji. untung na… mereka masih memiliki itu semua. dan dari sinilah, sebagai orang yang membaca sejarah dengan ketidakadilan dari para penjajah, sebuah sudut pandang disajikan untuk melihat mereka… sebagai manusia biasa.

-13 '13-

[Halimah Syofarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finishing this book is soo whoaa! Sulit dipercaya bahwa ini adalah kisah nyata. Buku ini bercerita ttg Rita la Fontaine seorang ((anak)) perempuan berdarah Belanda-Indonesia yg menjalani hidup begitu keras saat Indonesia diduduki Jepang. Saat itu Rita berumur 12 tahun, demi "keselamatan" dirinya, ia diharuskan oleh Pendeta dan Ayahnya utk menyamar sbg laki2 dan disepakati namanya mjd "Rick". Ia menjalani hidup di kamp dg Ibunya, Tante Suus, Ronald dan Rene (dua adik laki2nya). Namun beberapa bulan menjalani hidup di kamp tawanan, Ibunya meninggal dunia dan itu bertepatan jg ia harus berpisah dg Ayahnya krn kamp laki2 hrs berada sgt jauh dari kamp wanita. Singkat cerita, ia dpt kesempatan mengikuti kursus belajar bhs Jepang dan ia belajar sgt serius, hingga akhirnya ia lulus ujian dan mendapat sertifikat. Di antara murid lain yg jg orang Belanda, ia paling mahir dan paling muda. Sampai akhirnya ia terpilih mjd penerjemah komandan kamp -mengalahkan seorang wanita dewasa yg telah tinggal di Jepang selama 3 tahun- sekaligus mjd orang kepercayaan Jepang utk mengawasi kamp yg ia tempati, sampai berganti 3 komandan dan berpindah ke 3 daerah (dlm waktu 3,5 thn). Pekerjaan nya sbg penerjemah dan memikul tugas2 berat lainnya membuat saya lupa bahwa Rita/Rick ini masih berusia sgt belia dan jg dlm keadaan sdg melakukan penyamaran! Ya, ia bekerja dg penyamaran di antara para orang dewasa Jepang penawan mereka dan juga sesama para tahanan. Dari buku ini saya jadi tahu bahwa org2 Belanda pun ikut tersiksa tak kalah hebat hidupnya akibat pendudukan Jepang di Ind. Tergambar jelas bagaimana kerasnya kehidupan menjadi tawanan perang, serta harus berpindah tempat tnp tahu akan dibawa kemana dan dibawa dg cara yg begitu melelahkan. Betapa kasih sayang sesama anggota keluarga adalah satu2nya hal yg menjadi penguat mereka utk bertahan. Terakhir, yg membuat saya kagum adalah karakter serta kepribadian Rita yg berani, tangguh, berintegritas, serta pintar berdiplomasi. Menurut saya, ia beruntung krn telah "ditunjuk" Tuhan menjalani masa remaja yg amat tidak biasa dan memberi byk pelajaran kehidupan utknya.

[Mara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't a made-up story. It's true, and this book is written by Rita la Fontaine herself. It reads as both a biography and a novel, and the fact that every word of it is true makes it an even more engaging story than if it were a mere wartime novel. From the moment I started reading Disguised: A Wartime Memoir, I was enthralled and deeply interested in what happened to Rita. I was curious to see how she continued to maintain her disguise as she grew from a 12-year-old girl to a 14-year-old. It's really amazing how she pulled it off!

What most impressed me with Rita la Fontaine's writing was how she dealt with delicate scenes. There are plenty of them, but Rita never finds it necessary to go into detail. She gives a clear picture of what is going on in as few words as possible, while also giving insight into how a 12-year-old girl perceives such situations. There is one part in particular, when Rita is attacked by a Japanese soldier, that the author handles particularly well in its telling. Again, the fewest words are used to explain what is going on, but the Reader gets a clear - but not overly explicit - picture of the situation.

The book also gives an interesting insight into the Japanese who occupied the Indonesian islands. Through the years of occupation, Rita encounters soldiers who are brutal, but she also encounters just as many - if not more - who do as much as they can for the prisoners of war and even go against their orders to burn the camps and prisoners within when Japan surrenders. It just goes to illustrate once more that people are people; you'll encounter the bad and the good in any place, and even during the time of war, Rita was able to consider many Japanese as her friends.

Disguised: A Wartime Memoir by Rita la Fontaine de Clercq Zubli is going on my Books to Buy list.

[Adrianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 - This memoir tells the story of a young Dutch-Indonesian girl who disguises herself as a boy during the Japanese occupation in WWII. The simple writing was a tad dry for me and made me put the book down for a bit, but one must remember that English is only one of four languages that Rita speaks, so the stilted writing is easily forgiven. Though there are much fiction out there about teen girls in Asia during WWII, this true account provides great balance to those stories.

I was personally compelled to read this because my father and his family were in Sumatra during the war, and though their experiences differed, it made me feel connected to my family. Although she endured many hardships, I couldn't help thinking to myself how lucky Rita was and how hers was a unique story born of privilege.

[Brandi Rae Fong · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disguised follows the life of 12 year old Rita La Fontaine, a prisoner of war in Indonesia during World War II. In January 1942, when the Japanese began to invade the island of Sumatra, Rita’s family decide that it would be best for her safety if she disguised herself as boy, lowering the odds that she would become a “comfort girl” for lonely soldiers.

She agrees, cuts off her long hair, and becomes Rick, an identity that she would keep for over three years as she traveled to different POW camps. As Rick, she has the opportunity to work in offices and take Japanese language classes, leading eventually to her becoming the official camp translator. Acting as a liaison between the other prisoners and the soldiers, Rita takes on responsibilities beyond her years and she sees firsthand the hardships, sickness and daily struggles of the other prisoners.

Overall, this was a very well told story. Rita is forced to remain neutral in her work, keeping secrets and shouldering many adult responsibilities (such as knowing whose husbands have died in the men’s camp). There is always the lingering knowledge of the horrors of what could happen to her if her true identity is discovered. Most stories about WWII focus on Hitler and events in Europe; making Disguised a book with a unique perspective.

[Navya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about Rita, a 12 year old girl who disguises herself as “Rick” to escape becoming a “comfort woman” to Japanese soldiers. She and her family experience the harsh life as prisoners of war during the Japanese occupation of Indonesia. Throughout the book, Rita displays strength and intelligence unlike that of a child who didn't know much about the world. Even though her family was separated and is forced to adapt to the lifestyle of POW camps, Rita remains strong.
With her eagerness to learn, Rita also gains the trust and respect of her Japanese superiors under the disguise of Rick. Rick becomes a clerk and a translator in the camps, carrying heavy responsibilities for a child. Many times in the book, both fellow POWs and Japanese soldiers find it hard to believe Rick was 12-14 years old, “...the one so highly praised and having all the credentials I have been looking for, is a thirteen-year-old boy? He laughed in astonishment.”
This memoir is such a unique account of WWII that sometimes it’s hard to believe everything in it actually happened. There are no battles or daring escapes, but this book still manages to be interesting. I recommend it to others who want to read a new perspective of WWII.

[Marisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, I give it three stars (not two) because it's a true account of a 13 year old girl's experience in an internment camp when the Japanese army invaded her Indonesian island during WWII. She actually disguised herself as a boy to avoid being forced into sexual slavery, as her family had heard rumors of such things happenings. I gotta say, though, I don't know if there was much danger of this. Based on her memoir, the Japanese treated their civilian prisoners of war pretty darn well.
I'm sure if you were uprooted from your life, lost all of your worldly possessions, and were restricted from contact with the outside world and therefore had no idea what was happening to less fortunate folks elsewhwere, what she experienced would be traumatic. But they weren't beaten, they weren't tortured, they weren't killed, they weren't starved...
And I almost hate to say this, but I didn't realize a true account of WWII could be boring. I found myself thinking, "Okay, when is something going to happen? Surely something happened or she wouldn't have written this book..." I can't picture any teens enjoying this book, which is a shame because I was really excited to read about this entirely new (to me) perspective of WWII.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book preparing my mind for Stubborn Twig, a book relating how we held the Japanese in internment during World War II because we were worried about their allegiance to their motherland. The story tells in simple words of her experience living with her Dutch family in a prison camp in Sumatra as a 12-16 year old during World War II. The Japanese had taken the Indonesian islands in their effort to manage anyone who might be loyal to the United States. So I read how the Japanese brutally held the Dutch; how Rita's mother died during those years without the medical care she needed; of her separation from her father during those years and her father's years of health decline. She actually tells this history with little bitterness and anger. She ended up being used by the Japanese because her learned to speak Japanese as well as English. Though simply written, it is a good read.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A WWII memoir that tells another personal story of the life of a child during wartime. When the Dutch East Indies are taken over by the Japanese all people with Dutch or English heritage are put in prisoner of war camps. The parents of !2 year old Rita la Fontaine are afraid she will become a sex object of the Japanese guards and decide to disguise her as a young boy. Rita becomes Rick and manages to keep his real identity a secret throughout the entire wartime. Rick is bright and hardworking and honorable throughout his experience as an assistant and interpreter for Japanese prison camp commander. This is a lengthy book that would be good book for a high school assignment on WWII or for those that enjoy reading memoirs.

[Korynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written for teenagers, this book is written in a simpler language but the story still has great impact in this autobiography. This is the story of a entitled girl in Dutch/English Indonesia whose island is invaded by Japanese during World War II. Fantastically, disguised as a boy by her family she manages to teach herself Japanese and make herself invaluable to her captors (and possibly humanizing the consequences of their orders) through her unshakable innocent moral compass and responsibility. An amazing story.

[Weirdaft · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tentang penyamaran seorang anak perempuan berusia 13 tahun yang dilakukan oleh keluarganya pada perang dunia II di Indonesia. Seorang anak perempuan keturunan Belanda harus merasakan menderitanya menjadi tawanan perang bagi penjajahan Jepang.

Tetapi bertahan hidup adalah hal yang paling penting pada masa perang. Penyamarannya tidak hanya menyelamatkan hidupnya dan keluarganya, tetapi juga memberinya kesempatan untuk belajar menjadi lebih baik lagi, sehingga akhirnya di kamp tawanan, dia berhasil menjadi seorang penerjemah bagi penjajah Jepang.

[Richard Court · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of the many wartime memoirs I have read speak of the horrors of the Japanese authorities placed in command of the camps where these people were kept. But this story is different. It is a fascinating story of one young girl's life as a boy in the camps, a device of her parents to protect her from the rvages suffered by women in captivity.

Her account of the Japanese camp commanders is thought provoking and hones and sheds an entirely new light on the Japanese.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and most eagerly encourage everyone to read it!

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rita, 12 years old, is disguised as a boy as she and her family are sent to a Japanese prison camp during WWII. Her good sense, sharp wit, and initiative to learn the Japanese language endear her to several Commanders. (Dutch and Indonesian are her native languages along with very basic English) She soon becomes a trusted translator, earns favors, and thus helps represent the prisoners.
To the reader, she presents a frank view of life, as it was during 3 1/2yrs of imprisonment. I am grateful that she has shared her history with us.