Book description
A mystical Javan prince and a promiscuous wife are twin challenges
to Dutch Commissioner Van Oudijck's seemingly impregnable authority.
As he struggles to maintain control of his district and his family,
ancient local traditions reassert their influence and colonial power
begins to disintegrate. Set at the height of Dutch colonial rule in
the East Indies, this classic of Dutch literature portrays the clash
between Western rationalism and indigenous mysticism through an
evocative and sensual narrative.
Louis Couperus (1863-1923) was born in The Hague, but spent much of
his youth in the Dutch East Indies, where many of his novels and stories
are set. He gained prominence in 1889 with the publication of Eline Vere
- a psychological novel influenced by the style of Zola and Flaubert.
Eline Vere was followed by Ecstasy in 1892, Psyche in 1898 and
Inevitable in 1900. A renowned wit, raconteur and commentator, Couperus
continued to publish critically and commercially successful work until
his death from blood poisoning in 1923.
