Max Havelaar

A novel written in the mid-19th century. The narrative centers around the character Max Havelaar, who is, in a sense, an alter ego of the author himself, Eduard Douwes Dekker. The book critiques the Dutch colonial system in Java and addresses themes of injustice and the exploitation inherent in colonialism. As a combination of fiction and social commentary, it aims to shed light on the plight of the Javanese people under Dutch rule. The opening of ''Max Havelaar'' introduces the narrator, Batavus Droogstoppel, a coffee broker in Amsterdam, who sets the stage by reflecting on the nature of truth and fiction. He expresses his disdain for novels and poetry, categorizing them as deceptive and detrimental to honest business practices. Through his humorous yet critical perspective, Droogstoppel presents himself as a man of integrity who values realism in both life and work. He reveals that he is writing this book not out of a desire to spin tales but to convey a certain reality, laying the groundwork for a narrative that will soon intertwine personal anecdotes with broader societal issues relating to colonialism and its consequences.