'Orpheus in de dessa' Summary

In Augusta de Wit's 'Orpheus in de Dessa,' the protagonist, a Dutch engineer, finds himself inexplicably drawn to the enchanting music of a local Indian flute player. The story unfolds against the backdrop of the Dutch East Indies, a place where colonial ambition and cultural fascination intertwined. The engineer's fascination with the flute player represents the larger fascination of the Dutch with the exoticism of the Indies, and the narrative explores the ways in which this fascination challenges colonial assumptions and the engineer's own sense of identity. The novel examines the power of music to transcend cultural boundaries and awaken emotional depths, ultimately leading to a transformative encounter with love and self-discovery. 'Orpheus in de Dessa' is a poignant exploration of the cultural complexities of the colonial era, the power of music, and the enduring allure of the unknown.