Tales from Djakarta: Caricatures of Circumstances and their Human Beings

Studies on Southeast Asia #27

by Pramoedya Ananta Toer

A translation of short stories by the well-known Indonesian author, Pramoedya Ananta Toer. Written in the 1950s, these stories are intensely regional in flavor and modern in approach. This collection includes such works as "Stranded Fish," "Creatures Behind Houses," and the great "Ketjapi."

Genres: Indonesian Literature, Fiction, Short Stories, Classics

142 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1957

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

[Daren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thirteen short stories from Pramoedya, written in a storyteller sort of style, all set in Jakarta.

Primarily these deal with the trials and tribulations of the common people, but very much written from a male eye. The stories were written in the period 1948 to 1957 - the period of Indonesia's independence. For the period 1945 to 1948 the Dutch had retained rule, after they had been ousted by the Japanese invasion and occupation. Indonesia was, of course, a Dutch 'possession' for almost 200 years.

The forewords make mention of the difficulty of translating these stories from Indonesian. They are nuanced with meaning which is unlikely to follow through to a translation, contain Javanese and Sundanese phrases, as well as puns and the like. These are explained in footnotes, but made me stumble in the reading.

For me some of the stories worked very well, others felt more like excerpts than a story, and some I just missed the intent, or the meaning of. There were a couple I skipped over after losing the thread in the first half.

A few of stories that stood out for me were:

Gambir: The story of baggage coolies at Gambir, a train station in Jakarta. It describes their way of life, sleeping illegally in the unused carriages, gambling addiction and revenge against local thug who had abducted his wife. 5 stars

Maman and his World: As a child, Maman witnessed the death of his younger sister. Growing up poor, and teased, he makes his way slowly in life, thankful for his small chances. His dreams remain haunted by his sisters death, but eventually takes inspiration from them and makes a doll. From this he begins a business making dolls and makes his fortune. 4 stars

Mrs. Veterinary Doctor Suharko: A story about a motorcycle, and the young, second wife of a veterinarian who once owned it. A story told within a story. 4 stars.

News from Kebayoran: The simple story of a prostitute and her hard life. 3 stars.

The Mastermind: A story of power and corruption - how the powerful can cover up their faults and continue to receive praise. A hero during the revolution, our main character becomes a bureau chief, then a government minister. When exposed as ineffective by a subordinate he uses power to have him dismissed. He then forces himself on his maid, and tries to sidestep the repercussions. 3 stars.

Overall, they were entertaining, and showed an array of ways the lower class live (in 1950s Jakarta). A bit hit and miss, and I am unclear how much is lost in the translation, but readable in the most part.

Averages out at 3 stars.

[Missy J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great short story collection by Pramoedya Ananta Toer. Published in 1957, Pramoedya wrote these stories in the 50s, just a few years after Indonesia announced its independence in 1945. All of the stories are set in the capital city Jakarta and are mostly concerned with the lower stratum of society. Despite the country's independence, the situation for most people in the lower class has hardly changed post-independence and Pramoedya depicts their struggles and the general disappointment felt in 12 well-written short stories.

1.) Jongos+Babu ("Houseboy+Maid"): Story about a brother and sister who come from a long line of servant family. They desperately want to "become Dutch". Critique against colonial mentality. ****
2.) Ikan-ikan yang Terdampar ("Stranded Fish"): Two friends who fought for Indonesia against the Japanese, but whose efforts were never appreciated, compare their lives to "stranded fish". "Dulu kita bajingan untuk kepentingan negara dan cita-cita, sekarang kita bajingan untuk kepentingan diri sendiri." ****
3.) Berita dari Kebayoran ("News from Kebayoran"): A very sad story of the prostitute Aminah, whose life keeps getting worse. ****
4.) Rumah ("House"): Strange story of an Arab landlord who pokes fun at different ethnic groups and his experience leasing places to them. **
5.) Keguguran Calon Dramawan ("Miscarriage of a Would-Be Playwright"): The frustration of a writer, who struggles to write a play and struggles to hear criticism. ***
6.) Nyonya Dokter Hewan Suharko ("Mrs. Veterinary Doctor Suharko"): Story of a veterinarian and the difference between his first wife and second wife pre- and post-independence. ****
7.) Tanpa Kemudian ("No Resolution"): Story of a beautiful woman Nana who served the Japanese during the war and who brings down the pious Khalil. ***
8.) Makhluk di belakang rumah ("Creatures Behind Houses"): Story about the servant class, the futility of revolution and human's tendency to re-create hierarchies. ***
9.) Maman dan Dunianya ("Maman and his World"): My favorite story! As a child, Maman witnessed the death of his younger sibling. Haunted by it, he grows up wanting to make people laugh. "Kepahitan hidup itu ia deritakan sendiri, senangnya ia bagi-bagi kepada siapa saja yang membutuhkan."*****
10.) Kecapi ("Kecapi Lute"): Story of a lute player, who laments his past decision to move to the big city (Jakarta) and leave his family behind. He is full of regrets. ****
11.) Biangkeladi ("The Mastermind"): Story of an official, who was considered a hero during the revolution. Post-independence he gets unending praise and better job prospects. He feels like he can do as he pleases and commits a heinous act! How power corrupts! ****
12.) Gambir ("Gambir (name of a train station in Jakarta)"): Story of coolie worker, who seeks revenge against a loanshark. ****

[Theo Karaeng · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Maman dan Dunianya" mungkin bukan cerita yang paling menarik di sini.. tapi, rasa-rasanya, di dalam cerita inilah pram sedikit membuka diri, menyibak salah satu cita-cita luhurnya: kepahitan hidup itu ia deritakan sendiri, senangnya ia bagi-bagi kepada siapa saja yang membutuhkan..
🖤
btw, selamat hari valentine, bagi yang merayakan..

[Gasa Bahar putra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dalam kumpulan cerpennya ini, Pram sekali lagi mampu menggambarkan keadaan dan manusia Indonesia, khususnya Jakarta pada masa revolusi dan pasca revolusi yang penuh dengan paradoks, alih alih membentuk suatu tatanan masyarakat yang lebih baik pasca kolonial, masyarakat Jakarta malah terjebak dalam kontradiksi-kontradiksi yang timbul baik dari pengaruh revolusi itu sendiri maupun oleh perkembangan zaman modern di masa itu. Semua ini dapat dikemas dengan apik oleh Pram melalui cerpen cerpennya yang menggambarkan masalah-masalah hidup rakyat kecil yang pada intinya tak jauh beda - untuk tidak menyebut sama - dengan masalah-masalah masyarakat dewasa ini, berkutat dengan masalah keuangan, wanita dan kekuasaan.
Salah satu yang menarik dalam hal ini adalah cerpen Pram yang berjudul "Biangkeladi" yang cukup sukses untuk menohok kelakuan oknum-oknum politisi pada masa itu yang bermodal dasar hanya pada popularitas semata. Hal ini meskipun sudah lebih dari setengah abad dalam masa Pram tersebut, namun masih tepat digunakan untuk kritik sosial untuk para politisi kita dewasa ini yang tidak sedikit pula yang hanya mengandalkan popularitas dan aji mumpung tanpa adanya kompetensi yang memadai. Adapun cerpen-cerpen lainnya juga mampu menggambarkan keadaan serta manusia Indonesia pada masa itu yang masih tetap dapat dijadikan kritik sosial untuk memandang permasalahan sosial dewasa ini, untuk itu secaa umum kumpulan cerpen Pram ini baik untuk dibaca bagi masyarakat Indonesia karena tutur kisah yang digunakan Pram sangat melekat dalam kehidupan masyarakat sehari-hari

[Michiyo 'jia' Fujiwara · Rating 5 out of 5]

JAKARTA, 1952
Subuh hari. Embun pelan melayang dan turun ke Bumi. Suling lok kereta api yang menjerit seperti setan di dalam dongeng minta kurban. Sebagian dari mereka mengeluh sebentar, duduk, mengocok mata – masih dalam pelukan kegelapan – terbatuk-batuk, dan meninggalkan tempat tidurnya masing-masing. Satu dua di antaranya berjalan terhuyung-huyung meninggalkan gerbong, menjauh, memasuki tempat yang lebih gelap. ~ Gambir.

Selamat Dirgahayu Jakarta Ke-485.

[gieb]

baru dapat.

[Kristoporus Primeloka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sekarang saya tau dari mana Eka Kurniawan mendapat inspirasi untuk kumcernya "Corat-Coret Di Toilet".

[Amelia M Djaja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Narasi-narasi pendek yang dapat menghidupkan kembali Djakarta di eranya dengan jelas di imajinasi para pembacanya.

[Wina S. Albert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Novel ini mengajak saya merenungkan nasib manusia dalam pusaran kehidupan yang keras dan penuh ketidakadilan. Dalam setiap kisah, Pramoedya dengan cerdas menggambarkan sosok jongos dan babu yang terperangkap dalam sistem sosial yang menindas. Moral yang bisa diambil adalah bahwa kehidupan sering kali tidak adil, di mana mereka yang lemah dan terpinggirkan tidak pernah mendapatkan kesempatan untuk meraih mimpi.

Namun, sarkasme tak bisa dihindari di sini. Seakan-akan Pramoedya berkata, “Selamat datang di Jakarta, di mana impian hanyalah hiasan dinding yang indah, sementara kenyataan adalah tumpukan sampah di sudut jalan.” Kita disuguhkan dengan penggambaran pahit tentang perjuangan hidup yang seolah tiada ujung.

Kesan yang ditinggalkan novel ini sangat mendalam. Pramoedya tidak hanya menuliskan cerita, tapi juga menyuntikkan kritik tajam terhadap masyarakat dan politik. Ada nuansa sarkastis saat saya melihat karakter-karakter yang berjuang, seolah-olah mereka adalah aktor dalam komedi tragis yang berulang.

saya bisa merasakan bagaimana setiap usaha mereka untuk membebaskan diri dari belenggu hanya berujung pada kekecewaan. “Ah, dunia ini memang lucu,” mungkin itu yang terlintas dalam benak saya. Saya tertawa, tetapi di balik tawa itu terdapat air mata yang mengalir, menggambarkan betapa absurdnya semua ini.

Secara keseluruhan, Cerita dari Jakarta bukan hanya sebuah novel; ia adalah cermin yang memantulkan kenyataan pahit kehidupan yang sering kita abaikan. Dan jika ada yang bertanya mengenai harapan di tengah segala kesulitan, mungkin Pramoedya dengan nada sarkastis akan menjawab, “Harapan? Oh, itu hanya cerita untuk anak-anak.”

[Edwin Setiadi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tales from Jakarta in the 1940s

This is a book of 12 short stories, that shows Jakarta in the turbulent 1940s, from 12 different perspectives. The stories are incredibly diverse with rich characters:

1. The struggles of a white-skin maid during the occupation of the Dutch and then the Japanese.
2. A conversation between 2 hungry wanderers in the city.
3. The tragic back story of a domestic abuse victim running away from home.
4. A neighborly conversation with an enigmatic Arab.
5. An art enthusiast talking about books, movies, and drama plays.
6. An animal doctor who lives and works in the Dutch, Japanese, revolution, and independence eras.
7. A prostitute in the time of Japanese occupation.
8. The story about many different types of maid in the city.
9. A rags-to-riches story about a man called Maman, who lives at the bottom end of society.
10. The deep reason behind a street musician's performance.
11. The story about a famous martial arts expert, who turned into a heroic soldier, then moved into politics and lose his soul.
12. Life in Jakarta's main train station, Gambir. Told from the perspectives of the porters, the food stall seller, the police, the local thugs, and more.

These stories show, among others, that it is not the character of a person that will determine how he or she will act. But it is the circumstance in which they found themselves in, that will prompt them to react. And the stories show the extreme interpretation of this, using the most incredible tales of hardship and hope in the capital city.

[Aaron Curmi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read the Buru Quartet several years ago and thoroughly enjoying it, I had been looking to get back into more of Pramoedya's work and finally did with Tales From Djakarta. A short story collection set in Jakarta in the 1950s, the storyteller style of writing and narration really adds an enjoyable extra layer to text.

Each story brings to life the harsh realities of living in Jakarta for a large percentage of the population. Crushing poverty literally next door to extravagant wealth, people dying of treatable illnesses, starvation, crime... all of it is laid bare in this collection. Having lived there for four years myself, I can see how much of this still exists and likely has only changed its form, but the content remains. Massive obstacles still exist for much of the population, as one learns through each story. Happy endings are rare, but they are there.

I would recommend this book to those who have read some of Pramoedya's other works and are looking for more, as this one may not be the best starting point. Also, one should be prepared for a hard-hitting, descriptive, sometimes frustrating read which is truly meant to illustrate life in a post-colonial, post-revolutionary society which is trying its best to put itself together while fending off its own internal issues. As life often goes, many of the stories do not end well.

[Tri Wahyudi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Selesai baca Cerita dari Jakarta karya Pramoedya Ananta Toer. Bukunya berisi 12 cerita pendek yang berset di jakarta sekitar tahun 40an sampe 50an. Kisah-kisahnya miris dan memilukan, ditambah setiap karakternya curi perhatian.

Beberapa favorit gue, ada “Berita dari Kebayoran” tentang perempuan yang kabur dari rumah terus melacur di taman Fromberg, pas gue Google itu sekitaran monas. Dia kangen rumahnya di Kebayoran, kasihan ceritanya.

Terus cerita “Nyonya Dokter Hewan Suharko”, ini unik sih dari beli motor bekas mengarah ke kisah rumah tangga dokter hewan. Terus cerita “Makhluk di Belakang Rumah” juga menarik, bahas kehidupan babu-babu di Jakarta. Ada babu yang masih kecil nangis di sumur, kangen orang tuanya, kasihan.

Terus Cerita “Maman dan Dunianya haru, dia diremehin gitu. Terus kalao cerita “Biangkeladi” pas baca bikin geram sih haha. Cerita terbaik jatuh ke “Gambir” ceritain para porter di stasiun gambir, polisi, dan tukang kue pancong. Baca ini was was dan kagum sama Pramoedya ngebangun ceritanya sampe ke konfliknya, genius.

Kata favorit gue di buku ini “keparat!” udah lama ga baca atau denger itu haha.

[Angelina Puspita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miris. Cuma itu aja yang pas untuk menggambarkan 12 kisah pilu yang diramu menjadi satu buku utuh ini. Dengan gaya cerita Pram yang khas tentang birokrat dan kapitalis yang melulu membodohi masyarakat, buku ini seolah mengingatkan kembali bahwa kejadian yang ada masih sangat berkorelasi dengan saat ini. Dan iya, kembali diingatkan, perjuangan masih panjang...

[Ricky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ada 12 cerpen, semuanya terjadi di Jakarta. Membaca "Cerita Dari Jakarta" seakan menyelami kembali bangunan-bangunan tua ibukota dan manusianya di tahun 50-an. Jakarta sudah menjadi kota paling buas yang siap menerkam bagi siapa saja yang berjiwa lemah dan tak berpendirian sejak dahulu kala. Pram, menuliskannya dengan sangat jujur. Berikut ini adalah urutan cerpen favorit saya dari urutan duabelas hingga yang pertama:

12)Kecapi
11)Keguguran Calon Dramawan
10)Rumah
09)Makhluk di Belakang Rumah
08)Ikan-ikan yang Terdampar
07)Jongos dan Babu
06)Biangkeladi
05)Nyonya Dokter Hewan Suharko
04)Berita Dari kebayoran
03)Tanpa Kemudian
02)Maman dan Dunianya
01)Gambir

[Choco Crunch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Karya Pak Pram pertama yang saya baca (sebagai tugas Bahasa Indonesia), setelah memilih secara random saya memutuskan membaca "Tanpa Kemudian", cerita ini seperti mengajak saya menyelami kehidupan pasca tentara nippon menduduki bangsa ini, kasih yang tak sampai, hingga pengkhianatan, yang berujung ketidakadilan bagi salah seorang tokoh, yang sebenarnya tidak terduga akan berakhir seperti itu.
saya malah keasyikan membacanya saat sedang pelajaran, overall, bagus ceritanya, mungkin suatu saat kalau berkunjung ke Gladag harus beli Tetralogi Pulau Buru juga :)

[Maria Lalita · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nemu novel ini di perpustakaan kampus, dan 'menghabiskannya' dalam waktu seminggu-waktu yang buat saya cukup lama untuk menyelesaikan sebuah kumpulan cerpen. Seperti biasa, Pramoedya menuliskan ceritanya dengan alur yang kocak, lucu namun tak lupa pada segi sastra-nya, yang menurut saya sangat 'khas' ala Pramoedya. Dan melalui cerpen ini, saya sungguh yakin bahwa saya nggak akan pernah menyesal jadi big fans of Pramoedya Ananta Toer.

[mobee · Rating 5 out of 5]

the city isn’t kind here. it spits, sweats, forgets. but in tales from djakarta, every corner has a pulse, every silence carries a weight.

mochtar lubis doesn’t romanticize. he writes the truth raw, like peeling paint and tired shoes, like hope that won’t die even when it should. these stories aren’t loud. they linger, like leftover rain on hot pavement, like the smell of the street long after you’ve gone home. this is jakarta, before the gloss. and it still bleeds real.

[Dianlisa Ekaputri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maman dan Dunianya (Chapter 9), my favorite one. Pesannya nyampe banget.

Seluruh cerita di buku ini mengisahkan masyarakat Jakarta kelas "bawah" dengan segala persoalan mereka, dari turunan Ind0-Belanda yang mendambakan berjodoh dengan kaum totok, orang yang digusur kehilangan tempat tinggal, kehidupan rumah petak, sampai keseharian kuli angkut di Stasiun Gambir.

[Bastian Hidayat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jakarta adalah periuk besar yang penuh dengan cerita berbagai warna. Jakarta menyimpan kantung-kantung harapan, berkas-berkas kepedihan, juga pahitnya penghianatan. Pram membungkusnya dalam cerita-cerita yang padat, namun penuh pesan-pesan.

[Edy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sebuah kumpulan cerpen yang berisi karikatur dan ironi kehidupan yang sarat dengan kritik social. Tajam, bernas dan memukau….

[A.Maya Purnamasari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yah, dulu, inilah Djakarta!!

[Liliyah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eyang Pram memang "Djoeara" !! saya seperti benar2 bisa merasakan Djakarta tempo doeloe dan hidoep didalamnya. The most favorite strory is "Gambir" :D

[Danar Pramesti · Rating 5 out of 5]

pak pram successfully wrote stories which silent me every time i passed on streets or places pak pram mentioned in the book. i love tales and i love old jakarta.

[Pra · Rating 5 out of 5]

tak sengaja nemu di lapak buku bekas. cuma Rp 20.000

[Jiwa Rasa]

Cerita Calon Arang by Pramoedya Ananta Toer (2003), Cet. 1

[Dylan thomas]

Nice book again Pramoedya has written a total picture of Jakarta situation

[Rully Resa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Membaca cerpen-cerpen dalam buku ini penuh prasangka dan curiga. Karena yang hendak disampaikan oleh pram tidak explisit melainkan tersirat dalam kemajemukkan karakter serta kisah dibaliknya.

[Rangga EF · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pram selalu cerdas menggambarkan realitas kehidupan antar manusia