It was interesting from the start! The Author needs to make a choice, and it is not easy amid antinomic feelings! Pick up an English translation if you can find one.
It reminded me very much of in which the incident of a car breaking down in the middle of nowhere struck me as symbolic of the relationship of the couple inside the car.
And it's not hard to believe Oeroeg's portrayal of that era.
The dark secrets of a seemingly peaceful island threaten to swallow up an orphaned student when he grows close to a mysterious new teacher.