The Argus Pheasant

"The Argus Pheasant" by John Charles Beecham is a captivating tale set in the early 1900s Netherlands East Indies , where colonial tensions simmer. The story begins with Governor-General Jonkheer Van Schouten, frustrated by growing unrest, considering Peter Gross for a key position in Bulungan, a region rebelling under the influence of the enigmatic Koyala. Koyala, a woman of mixed heritage, is a figure of disdain among the colonizers but commands influence over the local Dyak people, making her a central figure in the brewing conflict between the colonizers and the native population. The book explores the themes of identity, power struggles, and resistance to colonial rule, depicting characters wrestling with their allegiances amidst political turmoil and the yearning for justice.