Laksmi Pamuntjak

The first part of the book feels like it changes pace a lot. Combined with the time jumps, I was a little slow getting into the flow of it, although it was still interesting. Once we go back to really begin at the early part of Amba's life, it finally felt like it took off, and it was easy going from there. The dream interaction between Bhisma and Srikandi felt a little odd and awkward to me, but that could just be a matter of a different storytelling style that's less familiar to me.

I enjoyed this book. This is not a part of the world I know much about, but I discovered so much. There's a loose plot based on an outbreak of avian flu and some romance, but at its heart, this is a culinary and cultural tour of Indonesia. I just wish there was an Indonesian restaurant nearby, the food was so lovingly depicted I want to try some

A guidebook to Jakarta's best restaurants.
Now it's a history since many of these
restaurants might be closed because of
Covid 19.

This is a book that would probably improve with re-reading. I believe it is a retelling of the epic poem The Mahabharata (which I have never read, so I can't be sure). It is set in 1960's Indonesia, against a background of student revolution, religious violence, and concentration camps. The book explores the meaning of love, the differces between men and women, color, and class. It's a beautiful story, and I fully recommend it.