Description
Shortly before the Japanese invade, the van Hoorn family throws their famous Sinterklaas party at their tea plantation. One of their guests, Mattijs, a Dutch pilot, hopes to forge a future in the Dutch East Indies, possibly with the family's daughter, Anna, but she is torn between her dreams of Holland and her desire to belong.
Meanwhile the housekeeper, Diah, keenly observes the goings-on around the plantation, wondering how much to tell her freedom-fighter brother. When the Japanese forces finally arrive on Java's doorstep, they all have to make decisions that will affect the rest of their lives, especially those whomust evacuate to Australia.
Sunbirds depicts the intricate web of identities and loyalties created by war and imperialism, and the heartbreaking compromises that so often ensue.
Review
Anna van Hoorn, whose mother is Indo-Chinese and whose father is a proud and somewhat arrogant Dutchman, has lived with her wealthy family on their Indonesian tea plantation her whole life. She longs to spend time in her homeland of the Netherlands and learn their more cultured ways, but the war has put a halt to these plans.
Diah has been her lifelong maid, devoting her life to Anna. But when Sigit, Diah’s brother, returns from studying in the Netherlands he brings unrest with him. He is sure that the Dutch should be removed,and the rightful traditional owners of the land be restored.
Then Mattijs, a Dutch pilot who hopes to make his fortune in the Dutch East Indies, arrives and after a brief courtship is betrothed to Anna. Mattijs is constantly away flying as he has been enrolled to help the war effort in Australia. But when he is struck down with malaria and Diah is there to nurse him they develop feelings towards each other…
In the meantime, Anna has fallen for Diah’s brother, Sigit, who is now a freedom fighter and who assures Anna that with her mixed heritage she will be fine. Sigit is sure that with the arrival of the Japanese will come the release of the Dutch colonial control of Indonesia.
When Mattij’s is allowed to bring one person to safety in Australia, who will he chose?
This is a powerful and layered novel that can be used for classroom discussion about WW2 in the Pacific, particularly Indonesia, and the impact that this had on colonial rule in the region. With a more adult feel, and themes of racism and rebellion, it will be best appreciated by senior secondary students aged 15 and older.
Reviewed by Rob
