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ricardo_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death, Violence, Emotional abuse, Police brutality, Abandonment, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Racism, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Minor: Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Lesbophobia, and Homophobia
itssthestars's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
im known around my friends for being the relentless optimist, and it shines most when contrasted against subject matter like this.
i dont often get to read about my actual culture as a fil-am kid, so this was an amazingly intimate read for me. this book represents a real filipino family, and i am so glad to be a witness of it. the mood and atmosphere was captured beautifully, and ill definitely be looking into ribay's other books.
i dont often get to read about my actual culture as a fil-am kid, so this was an amazingly intimate read for me. this book represents a real filipino family, and i am so glad to be a witness of it. the mood and atmosphere was captured beautifully, and ill definitely be looking into ribay's other books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Death, and Animal death
Moderate: Addiction, Murder, Police brutality, Drug abuse, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Homophobia, Trafficking, and Rape
l_arand's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
randy ribay’s patron saints of nothing follows the story of jay, a biracial filipino american in his senior year of high school. once he’s told about his cousin jun’s death and the mysterious circumstances surrounding it, he uses his spring break to travel to the philippines in hopes of finding the truth about jun and his death.
i need everyone to read this book. not only does it provide insight into the drug war and duterte’s policies, it also shines a light on the way americans sensationalize what’s going on in foreign countries.
i think a line of bo burham’s how the world works can put this into words better than i can, “why do you rich fucking white people insist on seeing every socio political conflict through the myopic lense of your own self actualisation? this isn’t about you.”
this can be aimed towards jay, our narrator, by his family members in the philippines, especially grace and tito maning. jay gives us an interesting perspective because he was naturalized in the states. more specifically, the midwest. he’s dealing with an identity crisis over his birthplace and race while being told by his white peers that “you’re basically white.” jay is self aware and is incredibly conscious of how american ideals have been ingrained into him, but he can’t help but think that some of the things going on in his home country would be different if they too functioned based off of said ideals. the exchanges between him and grace (his cousin and jun’s younger sister) are quite eye opening and serve as a commentary on national and cultural differences.
that wasn’t an incredibly eloquent review and it was hard to put my thoughts into words, but i hope that doesn’t discourage anyone from reading it. ribay also has sources with information pertaining to the drug war at the end of the book, and ways one can support the fight against it from afar. just, please read the book.
i need everyone to read this book. not only does it provide insight into the drug war and duterte’s policies, it also shines a light on the way americans sensationalize what’s going on in foreign countries.
i think a line of bo burham’s how the world works can put this into words better than i can, “why do you rich fucking white people insist on seeing every socio political conflict through the myopic lense of your own self actualisation? this isn’t about you.”
this can be aimed towards jay, our narrator, by his family members in the philippines, especially grace and tito maning. jay gives us an interesting perspective because he was naturalized in the states. more specifically, the midwest. he’s dealing with an identity crisis over his birthplace and race while being told by his white peers that “you’re basically white.” jay is self aware and is incredibly conscious of how american ideals have been ingrained into him, but he can’t help but think that some of the things going on in his home country would be different if they too functioned based off of said ideals. the exchanges between him and grace (his cousin and jun’s younger sister) are quite eye opening and serve as a commentary on national and cultural differences.
that wasn’t an incredibly eloquent review and it was hard to put my thoughts into words, but i hope that doesn’t discourage anyone from reading it. ribay also has sources with information pertaining to the drug war at the end of the book, and ways one can support the fight against it from afar. just, please read the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Gun violence, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Drug use, Trafficking, Drug abuse, and Death
Minor: Animal death and Colonisation
mysterymom40's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Gun violence, Police brutality, Drug abuse, Trafficking, Grief, Gaslighting, Drug use, Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
mandkips's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Police brutality, and Drug use
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Racism
Minor: Homophobia, Trafficking, and Sexual violence
jamies's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
i don't have the words to explain how stunning this book was, i saw myself through the eyes of jay as i am also a filipino living abroad that wants to learn about their culture, i had other similarities with him but i won't expand on it anymore. it was an amazing read and i think more people should read this book right now!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Grief, and Death
Moderate: Violence, Physical abuse, and Police brutality
Minor: Sexual assault, Animal death, and Trafficking
library_dreamer's review
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Police brutality, Gun violence, Violence, Racism, Drug abuse, and Murder
the_reading_seal's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse and Violence
Minor: Animal death, Police brutality, Sexual assault, and Trafficking
marissasa's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I knew this book would hit hard the moment I read the dedication page "For the hyphenated" and realized it meant to all the Filipino-Americans, children of immigrants like myself, but wow did this story break my heart on a deep level. The portrayal of family in this book is so damn accurate, from the way adult family members dance around talking about uncomfortable topics to the way that Jay's cousins interacted with him. The characterization felt so realistic with Tito Maning's machismo and his Marcos apologist beliefs, Tita Chato and her partner, Jay's Lolo and Lola, and the (absolutely hilarious) fact that Grace met her girlfriend online through a Yuri on Ice fan forum. I loved the use of letters from Jun as a way for us to learn more about the memory of him that Jay had and nothing compared to the emotional payoff towards the end when Jay reads out loud his final letter to Jun that he never got to send. I love that this book doesn't shy away from the reality of drug usage in the Philippines and reiterates that those who use or push aren't any less deserving of their lives because of it, that it calls out the corruption of the Philippine government but understands the valid reasons more people experiencing it don't speak out about it, and that it hits home the message of "none of us is one thing." I want every Fil-Am to read this book because I truly think there is so much to identify with in Jay and that so much of his story, although maybe not along the exact same lines, resonates with Fil-Am identity and with navigating the line between the two countries.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Trafficking, Addiction, Child abuse, Child death, Drug use, Abandonment, Physical abuse, Grief, Police brutality, Classism, Cursing, Animal death, Murder, and Death
chavborromeo's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
I was 14 years old when Duterte became a president. Many people liked him because "retable" (he cursed like normal being) and "simple". He became famous with his tagline "I hate drugs" and promise to eradicate drugs in a span of 3 to 6 months. He ordered cops to do a shoot to kill to every suspected drug users/pushers and every people from the drug list/watch list. But did he succeed on eliminating drugs? Hard NO. His drug war killed lots of innocent people and violates lots of human rights. He once said on his SONA that "his concern is human lives not human rights". Instead of going with high profile drug lord, knowing the root cause and doing scientific based approach, he ordered killing. Regardless whether they are user/a pusher, everyone deserves a day in a court and right due process.
They silenced their critics like Sen. De lima (#FreeLeila) and until now she still detained. It is hard to speak up and make a stand especially if the power and justice is on their side :(((
About this book, even though the setting is in the Philippines, I don't feel like it. Some Filipino attitude and culture are being exaggerated and some are outdated??? It could have been better if the narrator grew up in the Philippines like Grace (I know for different perspective but???). I'm annoyed every time they speak Tagalog and since the narrator can't understand it, the reader also can't understand. Its better to put Tagalog dialogue and let the narrator get confuse.lol.
Also, the drug war targets the poor, I think it will be better if they don't came from privilege family?? just saying :)
It so sad to think that people would not care about their surroundings/social issues if they are not directly affected.
Anyway,
#StopTheKillingsPh
#JusticeForAllTheVictimsOfDrugWar
#NoToMarcos-Duterte2022
#NeverAgain
#NeverForget
They silenced their critics like Sen. De lima (#FreeLeila) and until now she still detained. It is hard to speak up and make a stand especially if the power and justice is on their side :(((
About this book, even though the setting is in the Philippines, I don't feel like it. Some Filipino attitude and culture are being exaggerated and some are outdated??? It could have been better if the narrator grew up in the Philippines like Grace (I know for different perspective but???). I'm annoyed every time they speak Tagalog and since the narrator can't understand it, the reader also can't understand. Its better to put Tagalog dialogue and let the narrator get confuse.lol.
Also, the drug war targets the poor, I think it will be better if they don't came from privilege family?? just saying :)
It so sad to think that people would not care about their surroundings/social issues if they are not directly affected.
Anyway,
#StopTheKillingsPh
#JusticeForAllTheVictimsOfDrugWar
#NoToMarcos-Duterte2022
#NeverAgain
#NeverForget
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Rape, Police brutality, Drug use, and Murder