In Reply to: Thanks for that..... posted by Kutafan on Wednesday, 19. May 2021 at 15:33 Bali Time:
Available on Amazon.
One reviewer says - "A well researched dissection of the myths and half truths surrounding the life of the Scottish woman who became a hotelier in Bali in the 30s and, more famously, Surabaya Sue, the radio voice of the Indonesian resistence during the independence war. Her autobiography, "Revolt in Paradise", became a best seller but inconsistencies resulted in a long line of critics who regarded the book as more fiction than fact.
The author, who began the reseach for his book as a historical doctoral thesis, does an excellent job in dismantling the many versions of this woman's life. Essentially it is a sad tale. Surabaya Sue did lead a remarkable and at times dangerous life in Indonesia during the war years, but perhaps no more remarkable or dangerous than other Europeans imprisoned by the Japanese or working with the Indonesians in pre independence Indonesia.
What made her famous was her brief stint on radio as Surabaya Sue and the success of her autobiography, with the latter a mixture of fact, fiction and hagiography. She lived off this fame for the rest of her life, conning several film companies and supporters into paying her living expenses in the hope of making a film of the book (which was never made) and outstaying her welcome in Indonesia, ending up impoverished in a old folks home in Australia.
If there is one criticim of the book it is perhaps the objectivity of the author, who came to know and admire the subject when she was elderly,frail and poor. Thus at times he tends to downplay the more negative side of the younger woman's character; a history of disputes with business partners, dishonesty,living off governments and supporters and possibly engaging in fraud in regard to film rights for her book. An excellent book about an interesting if unattractive minor historical character in Indonesia who was doomed to live out her life within a web of lies and half truths."