PRAMOEDYA ANANTA TOER, one of Indonesia's most important writers, was the author of more than thirty books - all of which were banned in Indonesia at various times. A resolute political activist, he was incarcerated by the Dutch colonial authorities and again by the Sukarno and Suharto regimes. While he was always outspoken, the political overtones of his works were subtle. The recipient of numerous awards and honours, including PEN America's Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award, France's Ordre des Arts et des Lettres and Chile's Pablo Neruda Award, he was freed for good in 1992.
