Arus Balik

by Pramoedya Ananta Toer

Semasa jayanya Majapahit, Nusantara merupakan kesatuan maritim dan kerajaan laut terbesar di antara bangsa-bangsa beradab di muka bumi. Arus bergerak dari selatan ke utara, segalanya: kapal-kapalnya, manusianya, amal perbuatannya dan cita-citanya, semua bergerak dari Nusantara di selatan ke 'Atas Angin' di utara. Tapi zaman berubah...

Arus berbalik -- bukan lagi dari selatan ke utara tetapi sebaliknya dari utara ke selatan. Utara kuasai selatan, menguasai urat nadi kehidupan Nusantara... Perpecahan dan kekalahan seakan menjadi bagian dari Jawa yang beruntun tiada hentinya.

Wiranggaleng -- pemuda desa sederhana, menjadi tokoh protagonis dalam epos kepahlawanan yang maha dahsyat ini. Dia bertarung sampai ke pusat kekuasaan Portugis di Malaka, memberi segala-galanya -- walau hanya secauk pasir sekalipun -- untuk membendung arus utara.

Masih dapatkah arus balik membalik lagi?

Karya Pramoedya Ananta Toer
Sebuah epos besar dari seorang penulis besar

Genres: Novels, Fiction, Indonesian Literature, Classics, Historical Fiction, Literature

760 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Pramoedya Ananta Toer was an Indonesian author of novels, short stories, essays, polemics, and histories of his homeland and its people. A well-regarded writer in the West, Pramoedya's outspoken and often politically charged writings faced censorship in his native land during the pre-reformation era. For opposing the policies of both founding president Sukarno, as well as those of its successor, the New Order regime of Suharto, he faced extrajudicial punishment. During the many years in which he suffered imprisonment and house arrest, he became a cause célèbre for advocates of freedom of expression and human rights.

Bibliography:
* Kranji-Bekasi Jatuh (1947)
* Perburuan (The Fugitive) (1950)
* Keluarga Gerilya (1950)
* Bukan Pasarmalam (1951)
* Cerita dari Blora (1952)
* Gulat di Jakarta (1953)
* Korupsi (Corruption) (1954)
* Midah - Si Manis Bergigi Emas (1954)
* Cerita Calon Arang (The King, the Witch, and the Priest) (1957)
* Hoakiau di Indonesia (1960)
* Panggil Aku Kartini Saja I & II (1962)
* The Buru Quartet
o Bumi Manusia (This Earth of Mankind) (1980)
o Anak Semua Bangsa (Child of All Nations) (1980)
o Jejak Langkah (Footsteps) (1985)
o Rumah Kaca (House of Glass) (1988)
* Gadis Pantai (The Girl from the Coast) (1982)
* Nyanyi Sunyi Seorang Bisu (A Mute's Soliloquy) (1995)
* Arus Balik (1995)
* Arok Dedes (1999)
* Mangir (1999)
* Larasati (2000)

Reviews

[Mujib Burahman · Rating 5 out of 5]

first thing that you'll find out about this amazing saga is ... goshhh what a hell literally study you made to such create this amazing book ... but after that you will speechless to know that this opus made in Buru Island when you are prisoner there .. just count on your memory and imagination .. from what i know .. only two people ever do that in this nation .. you and tan malaka with his MADILOG... salute for you Pak, we are the youngster will always remember you as 'glittering resonance soliloquy' that this country ever have...

[Dhanadi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arus Balik or "Reverse Current" is perhaps PAT's most ambitious work thus far. Arus Balik takes place in one of the most tumultuous era of Indonesian history--the period of transition between Hindu Java and Islamic Java and the dawn of the colonial era, the so called reversing of the currents whereby Java's prestige in the classical era begin to diminish as the spectre of colonialism rises. In typical Pram's flair characterized by his imaginative, but nonetheless well researched approach, Pram chronicles this period from the eyes of the kawula (common masses), the psyches of Java's conflicting rulers and foreigners who see Java as an object of lust. According to Pram, The reversing of the current at the end was a tragic consequence primarily brought up by the blinding of Java's rulers to the incoming colonial spectre due to their incessant internal power games and greed.

[直子 · Rating 5 out of 5]

actually i didnt finish this since theres other book caught my attention that day. but overall i would love to read this again bcs its interest me about indonesian history that specifically written here

[Ryan Nugraha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The "Game of Throne" from Indonesia

[Deden Himawan · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting

[Karim Nas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't even know where to begin the praise for this absolutely magnificent book by Pramoedya Ananta Toer. Finishing this nearly 800 pages book felt like finishing a long and adventurous journey. But what a journey it was.

This book has it all: political intrigue, family drama, naval warfare, espionage, betrayal, violence, and more. "Arus Balik" is beautifully written. It has multi-dimensional characters and a complex plot. And Pramoedya Anata Toer absolutely had an extensive knowledge of 16th century history. By far one of the best book I've ever read.

In this book we are taken to 16th century Java, just decades after the fall of the mighty Majapahit empire. A story about a village boy who rose to become his duchy's most feared warrior. We followed his trials and tribulations, from Java to Sumatra to the Malayan peninsula. From his days as a spy to his final days as the supreme general of his fallen land. We followed the life of his gorgeous wife whom endured a tragic fate. And how their warrior son must overcome the monster of his past.

Had I the authority, I would make this book an mandatory read for each and every Indonesian students. This book can burn a fiery passion for our nation's past glory days in your heart. And a heightened sense of pride for our nation's heritage in the mind. This book by one of our prominent writers, is definitely an Indonesian masterpiece. A national treasure.

[Rangga Fadhillah · Rating 5 out of 5]

if there are any books that deserve to be called as "magnum opus", this might be one of them.

Arus Balik pictures the transition of Nusantara from hindu-budha age to Islamic age and from kingdom's age to the colonial age.

if you ever read history book that usually used in our school, you will see 180 degrees different point of view from this book. Pram shows you political intrigue among kingdoms, and the "bad" side of leaders. but he also show what is the meaning of bravery through the figure of "wiranggaleng" and adipati unus.

and in the last part of this magnificent novel, pram leave a reflection for us "long time ago the south went and occupied the north economically and territorially. but now why is it the north come to the south, occupy us like we had ever did before?"

[Andri Wicaksono · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book somewhere in 2003. This was perhaps the thickest book I've ever read. The story was really amazed me. It describes the mighty of Indonesian admiralty during ancient times, which was centered at the city of Tuban and its neighborhood. I cannot put the book down since the story was very interesting. According to myself, Mr.Pramoedya is the maestro of story telling. Five stars!

[Titah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't believe that this book is written by Pram

[Risky · Rating 3 out of 5]

bring your mind into 16th century,
incredible book,

[Muhammad Iqbal · Rating 2 out of 5]

He wrote his own history. Just like the dictators

[Ika Anggraeni · Rating 5 out of 5]

thick novel.but so interesting. history and drama mixed.

[Anggun · Rating 5 out of 5]

greatest indonesian epic

[Mita]

it's a masterpiece...

[Arman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pram were genius at combining fictional character and real character on his novel. Arguably, he's among the best storytellers in Nusantara

[Arif Santoso]

Epic Nusantara

[Mikael · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is like a historical saur sepuh

[Aryamir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical Novel, which was written very nice narrative and characters of genuine Nusantara People

[Gilang Permana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Epic !!