Ponsonby Post

by Bernice Rubens

After years of faithful public service - as yet unrewarded by a much coveted knighthood - Hugh Brownlow accepts the 'easy' position of UN liaison officer in Java. His presence is an annoyance to the motley group of jaded Europeans working in the provincial town of Djogjakarta, for he is sincere and enthusiastic. But after two unexplained deaths, Brownlow's life takes a very different turn.

Genres: Fiction

186 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1986

About the author

Bernice Rubens was born in Cardiff, Wales in July 1928. She began writing at the age of 35, when her children started nursery school. Her second novel, Madame Sousatzka (1962), was filmed by John Schlesinger filmed with Shirley MacLaine in the leading role in 1988. Her fourth novel, The Elected Member, won the 1970 Booker prize. She was shortlisted for the same prize again in 1978 for A Five Year Sentence. Her last novel, The Sergeants’ Tale, was published in 2003. She was an honorary vice-president of International PEN and served as a Booker judge in 1986. Bernice Rubens died in 2004 aged 76.

Reviews

[John Newcomb · Rating 3 out of 5]

The European do gooders in Java, do not quite see themselves in the same way as the locals. A 10 year old shoe shine boy is the keeper of all the secrets. Meanwhile murder and mayhem, faux kidnapping, sex and drugs and alcohol add a little interest to the aid workers.