T

here was a time when this country had an authoritarian leader who knew nothing but the accumulation of wealth and power to maintain control over society.

He used military and civilian personnel to intimidate the people for the sake of his family and cronies. So rampant and ruthless was the oppression that the people had no choice but to go along with the abusive ruler for their own safety.

Some of that very intimidation and oppression are vividly described in Okky Madasari's first novel, Entrok. From the pages, it is apparent that Okky, a journalist, seems to find more excitement in being a novelist than from her actual profession.

The novel begins with a kind of prologue describing a conversation between a woman and her mother who is emotionally unstable. The woman tries to comfort her mother, telling her that she will find a job - a permanent job at the state office - and find a man to marry her. She promises to live a normal life.

Her mother, who is going insane as a result of ongoing suffering, disappointment and frustration, does not respond but for a few mumbled words.

At this stage, we can only guess what this novel is really about. Is it about the psychological familial ties between a woman and her daughter? Or is it a complicated love story in which the woman does not find blessing to marry an unwanted man?

Readers won't be able to fully understand the novel until they finish reading it. In fact, this novel is more than simply a love story or a psychological drama. In a way, it can be seen as a historical journey through a country rife with oppression, poverty and sexuality wrapped in interpersonal relations that include family and social bonds.

Those complicated issues absurdly start from the vigorous endeavors of a blossoming girl who tries to purchase an entrok (bra), where the title is taken from.

They say the devil is in the detail, and the writer is fully aware that it is the details which serve as the selling point of this novel. So, she explores the detail - the bra and sexuality - and then expands it to the larger aspect of family conflict, social jealousy and eventually the relations of the state vis-as-vis the people.

At some points, I have to credit the prowess of the writer in putting some interesting descriptions. For this, I need to go into details.

Toward the beginning of the story, when Sumarni, the protagonist of the tale, talks to her uncle and auntie about her willingness to have a bra, she is laughed at and told that a bra is too expensive. Upset, Sumarni runs to a riverbank and bursts into tears.

"I cry and release my pain and anger to the riverbed. I see the river stream carry it away. Softly, I hear a call. I try to listen. There is a voice that I can't hear but I can only feel .." (p.20)

Also, there is an interesting part when Sumarni talks to Teja, a man who she later weds.

"I don't fully like Teja. In some ways, I hate Teja. I hate him for his patience and acceptance of his fate. I hate him for his powerlessness in changing his life. Does Teja never dream? Does he never dream of having gold and diamonds.?" (p.45)

Generally, this novel is well written, particularly when telling the story of Sumarni in her hometown of Singget. The writer explores details of events and locations where Sumarni lived making the past come alive.

But when it tells about the life of Sumarni's only daughter Rahayu, in Yogyakarta, her new life in Magelang and her activism in Kedung Merah, the writer seems to be a bit lost. Too some extent, the suspense is declines. Most probably because Okky writes a few real incidents, such as the Borobudur bombing and conflict over the construction of Kedung Ombo, into the storyline.

The infamous bombing and dam project fail to strengthen the storyline but rather weaken it.

Overall, this is a good read. This novel will serve as a reminder for the readers that there is an episode in the country's history when authoritarian rule was so rampant and only caused misery among the people. For the younger generation, it can serve as a reference on gender, equality and pluralism.

* This novel is available at major bookstores. A book launch will be organized at Taman Ismail Marzuki on April 15.