Indonesianwriter and activist Pramoedya Ananta Toer spent most of his adult life in jail,imprisoned first by colonial powers and later by Indonesian governments. In1993 Jennifer Mackenzie received a copy of Toer's manuscript Arus Balik and the author's blessing totranslate it into English. This was at a time when the author's now celebratedwork was banned in Indonesia and he was under house arrest in Jakarta.

JenniferMackenzie's own Navigable Ink is arare poetic exploration of Toer's tragic, visionary and ultimately triumphantlife. With skill, knowledge and sensitivity Mackenzie captures the beauty ofIndonesia and Toer's fight to preserve its integrity and essence. Throughoutour world his concerns for the environment, gender equality, free speech,non-discrimination and freedom are now more crucial than ever.