#121 ~ Book 10

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Why, who KNEW I could actually read 4 books in one month? WHO KNEW?

Before you dirty-minded rascals conclude that this book is about tantric sex, let me explain what it is.


Revolt In Paradise is an autobiographical novel written by American Muriel Walker (Balinese name K'tut Tantri) who moved to Bali in the 30s to "become Balinese". I categorize it as fiction because I think all autobiographies are fictional anyway. Our memories never serve us right, and the author is no exception. There were a lot of grammatical and spelling mistakes, but I don't think I've ever been so lenient about them in any other book. It doesn't necessarily mean that it wasn't well-written, however, just that it's probably not as historically accurate as it sounds. I tried to find whatever I could about the author online, but couldn't find much. So the question remains, did everything she said happened HAPPEN?

Much of the book talks about the 2nd World War, and the politics of Indonesia during that time under the Dutch. I've read a lot on the Philippines' side of the story, so I thoroughly enjoyed reading the "other side". I'm not so much into politics, but I do enjoy history.

This is a very romantic novel, but not in the sense of love between two people. It has romantic views of freedom, of life, of art, and it really shows how much of a hopeless romantic K'tut Tantri was. I loved how imperfect the whole book was; it felt very real.

I especially loved this book because it was given to me by Hning, someone so much like me, and yet so different.

My rating: 5 out of 5
I got this book 16th October 2010.

Other books I've read this year HERE. 

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