This volume uses feminist and post colonial theory to examine Malay literature by Chinese peranaken authors in the Dutch East Indies between 1915 and 1940. Hellwig (Asian studies, U. of British
Columbia, Canada) collects and analyzes first person narratives to allow a new understanding of women’s lives in relation to race, class, gender and power structures of the time -- uncovering
precursors to female empowerment and agency. The text juxtaposes newspaper accounts and Malay writings alongside these narratives for context and illumination, some of which deal with
sensational murder trials of the period and related testimony. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)