Arok of Java (Pramoedya Ananta Toer)

It is the 13th century in Java. Rebelliousness stirs among peasant farmers and Brahmin priests alike. Slavery has returned and men, women and children labour to find gold for Java's rulers. Bearing the symbols of spiritual power, a young scholar-bandit and rebel appears, called Arok - "he who upturns everything". As the rebellion spreads, it is Arok himself whom the rulers employ to supress it. Thus emerges one of the epic political conspiracies of Javanese history. At stake is power in Java itself, the Lady Consort Dedes, and an end to slavery and oppression.