REVIEW Under the Volcano * A History of Bali
May 2nd 2010 14:28
Original Creative Writing:
popular history
Under the Volcano - A History of Bali
By Cameron Forbes
From the fabled Spice Trails to colonisation attempts, civil wars and tourist mecca, author Cameron Forbes seeks to provide a history of Bali in Under the Volcano - The Story of Bali. His research goes far beyond the oft-skipped first pages of travel guides. His research is meticulous through both accepted historical sources and personal anecdotal village stories.
The English, Dutch, Spanish and Portuguese colonies are described as well as the expeditions of Darwin and Wallace, through to the development of the island to a holiday paradise. No one likes bad stores about good places and Forbes certainly doesn't omit the bloodier aspects of Bali's history: the battles with the Dutch, civil wars and the contemporary issues of terrorism and drugs.
Religion is a topic explicitly discussed as well as woven into each chapter. We gain an valuable understanding of its role in both Balinese history and modern daily life. From the ancient legends to the skewed rationalisation for recent violence, the spirituality of the people is a fascinating acumen.
The book is at its best when it departs from the wide-angle of history to zoom in on personal stories and village life. The elders of family compounds share their stories of mysticism, unrest, caste, politics and modernisation. Unfortunately there are too few of these, and the chapters are weighed down by Forbes' journalistic exposition.
No modern book of Bali would be complete without Schapelle Corby or the Bali Nine. Forbes offers no new insights, although his descriptions of Kerobokan Prison succeed in their horror. More interesting, if disturbing is the section The Mind of a Jihadist; the paths of Azahari and Amrozi are traced to their destructive end.
This is not an absolute or comprehensive look at Balinese history nor is it a collection of personal stories or fables. It sits somewhere in between and the transition is not always successful. Forbes is unquestionably knowledgeable about his subject and undoubtedly loves Bali, but I found the purpose of the book unclear. I would read Lonely Planet before I go, pulp fiction while I'm there and perhaps when I'm home, I'd dig out Under the Volcano for a retrospective, though dull, view of the island paradise.
(Forbes, Cameron 2007 Under the Volcano- A History of Bali, Black Inc, Melbourne)
A.Lewis
By Cameron Forbes
From the fabled Spice Trails to colonisation attempts, civil wars and tourist mecca, author Cameron Forbes seeks to provide a history of Bali in Under the Volcano - The Story of Bali. His research goes far beyond the oft-skipped first pages of travel guides. His research is meticulous through both accepted historical sources and personal anecdotal village stories.
Religion is a topic explicitly discussed as well as woven into each chapter. We gain an valuable understanding of its role in both Balinese history and modern daily life. From the ancient legends to the skewed rationalisation for recent violence, the spirituality of the people is a fascinating acumen.
The book is at its best when it departs from the wide-angle of history to zoom in on personal stories and village life. The elders of family compounds share their stories of mysticism, unrest, caste, politics and modernisation. Unfortunately there are too few of these, and the chapters are weighed down by Forbes' journalistic exposition.
No modern book of Bali would be complete without Schapelle Corby or the Bali Nine. Forbes offers no new insights, although his descriptions of Kerobokan Prison succeed in their horror. More interesting, if disturbing is the section The Mind of a Jihadist; the paths of Azahari and Amrozi are traced to their destructive end.
This is not an absolute or comprehensive look at Balinese history nor is it a collection of personal stories or fables. It sits somewhere in between and the transition is not always successful. Forbes is unquestionably knowledgeable about his subject and undoubtedly loves Bali, but I found the purpose of the book unclear. I would read Lonely Planet before I go, pulp fiction while I'm there and perhaps when I'm home, I'd dig out Under the Volcano for a retrospective, though dull, view of the island paradise.
(Forbes, Cameron 2007 Under the Volcano- A History of Bali, Black Inc, Melbourne)
A.Lewis
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David Jobling
