The Fifth Season

Rating:
Summary: It's really good enough
Review: As an Indonesian, I'm really happy that there's a man from outside Indonesia whos cares about Indonesia. This book tells us about Indonesia inside and outside, and even though some informations are still far from the truth, i still think it's a good source for you all to know more about my country. As all Indonesians know,Indonesia has been told as a really bad country all around the world by the west. So i hope this book can change people's thoughts about my lovely "rich" country.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: Mr. Collison weaves an intricate tale of the social and political chaos within (1990's) Indonesia and its effects upon the nations inside and outside its borders. He writes of complex issues that grasp the reader's attention and yet he never loses his focus on the storyline nor does he ever lose his reader. Suspense runs high as you find yourself becoming emotionally attached to some of the characters, following them through to the end. The "feeling" of Indonesia comes alive through Mr. Collison's vivid descriptions of the customs and traditions of the various peoples of Indonesia. The Fifth Season is a fabulous read and comes highly recommended from this West Coast reader.

Rating:
Summary: prescient and fascinating
Review: The Fifth Season is set in post-Suharto Indonesia and was released in late 1998. I have been reading recent headlines out of Indonesia and sometimes wondering if the Indonesian people are taking notes from this book - virtually everything that is taking place now makes up part of this plot, from a resurgence of headhunting in Borneo to a powerful fundamentalist Muslim leader to the flight of refugees to Australia. I am impressed with the story line, the author's obvious love of Indonesia and its people, and his thorough understanding of the country and its politics. This is his best book to date.