The King, the Witch and the Priest

A Twelfth-Century Javanese Tale

By Pramoedya Ananta Toer

1951

First Published

3.55

Average Rating

113

Number of Pages

3H27M

Audio Length

"Centuries ago, there was, in the eastern part of the island of Java, a kingdom by the name of Daha..." So begins The King, the Witch and the Priest, a fable with contemporary allure that is based on the story of Calon Arang, a Javanese legend dating from the twelfth century. As tradition tells it, Calon Arang was a powerful witch from the village of Girah who had a beautiful daughter named Ratna Manggali who could find no husband. No man would have her for fear of her mother. Calon Arang became so angered by her daughter's plight that she spread pestilence throughout the kingdom. To deal with the problem, King Erlangga ordered his most respected priest, Empu Baradah, to get rid of Calon Arang. This proved to be no easy task as Calon Arang owned a book containing all the secrets of sorcery.

Avg Rating

3.55

Number of Ratings

1,621

5 STARS

17%

4 STARS

31%

3 STARS

42%

2 STARS

1 STARS

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Author

Pramoedya Ananta Toer

Author · 33 books

Pramoedya Ananta Toer was an Indonesian author of novels, short stories, essays, polemics, and histories of his homeland and its people. A well-regarded writer in the West, Pramoedya's outspoken and often politically charged writings faced censorship in his native land during the pre-reformation era. For opposing the policies of both founding president Sukarno, as well as those of its successor, the New Order regime of Suharto, he faced extrajudicial punishment. During the many years in which he suffered imprisonment and house arrest, he became a cause célèbre for advocates of freedom of expression and human rights. Bibliography: * Kranji-Bekasi Jatuh (1947) * Perburuan (The Fugitive) (1950) * Keluarga Gerilya (1950) * Bukan Pasarmalam (1951) * Cerita dari Blora (1952) * Gulat di Jakarta (1953) * Korupsi (Corruption) (1954) * Midah - Si Manis Bergigi Emas (1954) * Cerita Calon Arang (The King, the Witch, and the Priest) (1957) * Hoakiau di Indonesia (1960) * Panggil Aku Kartini Saja I & II (1962) * The Buru Quartet o Bumi Manusia (This Earth of Mankind) (1980) o Anak Semua Bangsa (Child of All Nations) (1980) o Jejak Langkah (Footsteps) (1985) o Rumah Kaca (House of Glass) (1988) * Gadis Pantai (The Girl from the Coast) (1982) * Nyanyi Sunyi Seorang Bisu (A Mute's Soliloquy) (1995) * Arus Balik (1995) * Arok Dedes (1999) * Mangir (1999) * Larasati (2000)