Max Havelaar; $b or, the coffee auctions of the Dutch trading company

"Max Havelaar; or, the Coffee Auctions of the Dutch Trading Company" by Multatuli is a powerful novel from the 1800s that speaks out against colonialism and reveals the unjust treatment of Indonesians by the Dutch. Using a blend of personal stories and social observations, the story centers on a main character who is determined to shine a light on the unfairness happening in the Dutch East Indies. It starts by explaining the colonial background and the author's purpose, and then presents Batavus Drystubble, a coffee broker, who embodies the more ordinary side of society and later meets Max Havelaar, who represents the fight against exploitation. The themes of right and wrong, honesty, and the duties of leadership are also central.