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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
I’m glad I read this classic fictionalized autobiographical novel about a Filipino migrant worker during the Great Depression. The novel starts with Allos’ family life in the Philippines, but most of the story centers on his work, and later activism, in America. The book dragged for me after the first third. Bulosan’s accounts of his migrant work reads more like a list than a story. I found a few beautiful passages, but I found more that felt like a long, dry essay on activism. So all in all, an important book in the landscape of America’s immigrant experience but not necessarily an enjoyable read.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
challenging
dark
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
follows bulosan’s (quasi) life navigating and adjusting to america, searching for a better future in order to return home to ph. the plight of a walking contradiction of being a filipino man educated, well read, and fighting intellectualism for the sake of intellectualism— being filled with rage, wanting of the understanding and libertarian for him and his people, fighting with kindness, knowledge, literature, violence, solidarity, and pure strength. he escapes beatings and death and hunger and poverty; searches for meaning within himself and this country— all to live a life in america worth living.
emotional
fast-paced
Let me first say that I appreciate the stories and perspectives Bulosan provides to us in these pages. The voice of any minority is crucial in our society. The stories were real, and were told in such a way that made them less of exaggerated fiction for novels than the raw memories of a Pilipino living through the racism and prejudice of others living in America.
I also don’t think it was told in a way that made Pilipinos living in America to be the heroes. Somehow, Bulosan made these people protagonists, but exposed their cancerous flaws.
While I enjoyed these aspects of the novel, it was because of the way it was written that I had difficulty keeping focused on the book and staying motivated enough to continue reading. I could not recognize a by-the-book progression of events that led to a climax or a memorable ending. And many times I found myself confusing the order of events.
Still, the value of Bulosan’s book undoubtedly exceeds my personal reading preferences, and I will not discount any work that demonstrates the struggle for equality and justice.
I also don’t think it was told in a way that made Pilipinos living in America to be the heroes. Somehow, Bulosan made these people protagonists, but exposed their cancerous flaws.
While I enjoyed these aspects of the novel, it was because of the way it was written that I had difficulty keeping focused on the book and staying motivated enough to continue reading. I could not recognize a by-the-book progression of events that led to a climax or a memorable ending. And many times I found myself confusing the order of events.
Still, the value of Bulosan’s book undoubtedly exceeds my personal reading preferences, and I will not discount any work that demonstrates the struggle for equality and justice.
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced