Review: Toraja: Misadventures of an Anthropologist in Sulawesi, Indonesia by Nigel Barley

Monideepa Sahu reviews Toraja: Misadventures of an Anthropologist in Sulawesi, Indonesia by Nigel Barley for Kitaab (Monsoon Books; US$ 15.95, Pp 232)

The name Sulawesi, Indonesia invokes mystery and the lure of the exotic and unknown. This book offers a knowledgeable and entertaining account of an anthropologist’s journey through a remote, largely uncharted region and culture.

The author succeeds in making us laugh page after page with hilarious accounts of his travels rife with the human touch. He also offers enough insights to engage serious readers. The spontaneous flow of humour is sustained throughout the book, with only a few points where it could seem contrived. This is certainly no mean feat.