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nookandcrannyseattle's review
The narrator is so bad, I finally couldn't bear it. The story was engaging though...I'll try it in print.
doreneemi's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I personally struggled with this one because family sagas are not really my jam, but I also found it extremely thought provoking. Could be a great bookclub discussion book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Violence
Moderate: Miscarriage
Minor: Rape
nothingforpomegranted's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I had a hard time feeling invested in this novel, and though I was curious about the characters, I didn’t feel like I was rooting for any of them.
Lali and Pilar are the daughters of a member of the resistance in exile from the Philippines. They grew up primarily in San Francisco, where Lali met and fell in love with Arturo, the godson of The General, whom she eventually married. Their relationship created tension between Lali and Pilar that lasted throughout their lives, alongside the deep love they felt for each other (and Lali’s protective impulse towards Pilar). Initially, the tension between the sisters was primarily based on Pilar’s belief that Lali was betraying their father through her relationship, but as the three teenagers grew up and returned to the Philippines, the tension became more direct as a sort of bizarre love triangle developed.
Overall, I think that this was a well-crafted story that incorporated romance, sisterhood, politics, wealth, and redemption in a setting that I am not familiar with. I appreciated that the novel was not didactic about Filipino politics and history, and I felt that there was an effective character study taking place. It just didn’t quite register for me.
Lali and Pilar are the daughters of a member of the resistance in exile from the Philippines. They grew up primarily in San Francisco, where Lali met and fell in love with Arturo, the godson of The General, whom she eventually married. Their relationship created tension between Lali and Pilar that lasted throughout their lives, alongside the deep love they felt for each other (and Lali’s protective impulse towards Pilar). Initially, the tension between the sisters was primarily based on Pilar’s belief that Lali was betraying their father through her relationship, but as the three teenagers grew up and returned to the Philippines, the tension became more direct as a sort of bizarre love triangle developed.
Overall, I think that this was a well-crafted story that incorporated romance, sisterhood, politics, wealth, and redemption in a setting that I am not familiar with. I appreciated that the novel was not didactic about Filipino politics and history, and I felt that there was an effective character study taking place. It just didn’t quite register for me.
sllau's review against another edition
I really wanted to like this one and it was interesting the times I picked it up but it never stuck and made me want to continue finding out the story. I revisited it twice
ridhimacha's review against another edition
5.0
Even though I grew disgruntled towards the main characters by the end of the book, I haven’t read something so beautifully written with a tone of melancholy oozing from every chapter. I was always surprised by what the characters did or where the narration went. A great book where I learned a lot about a friend and the history being the country he’s from.
cricca's review against another edition
emotional
relaxing
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kent_alvarus's review against another edition
5.0
The Betrayed portrays, in an easy read, chunks of realities from the recent history and from people's daily lives which form the complex collective unconscious and cultural archetype of the Philippine society: the hodgepodge of Filipino faith beliefs that are Christian, East Asian, and Filipino superstitions; the play of "partisan" politics; the constant strife among social classes.
The author also provides for a healthy women empowerment that advocates for the liberalization of the womanhood and the moralization of sexual "taboos" from the perspective of women, including which are the eventual resultant prenatal and postpartum depression.
The thing I liked the most: the novel implicitly exposed its stance. It is not just another martial law novel. It is not just another literary text. It is not an attempt to summarize everything within a number of pages. It is a reflection on human connections, human relations, spirituality, sensuality, sexuality, and the Philippine society. A great grasp of reality.
The author also provides for a healthy women empowerment that advocates for the liberalization of the womanhood and the moralization of sexual "taboos" from the perspective of women, including which are the eventual resultant prenatal and postpartum depression.
The thing I liked the most: the novel implicitly exposed its stance. It is not just another martial law novel. It is not just another literary text. It is not an attempt to summarize everything within a number of pages. It is a reflection on human connections, human relations, spirituality, sensuality, sexuality, and the Philippine society. A great grasp of reality.
marylin011's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sjksjksjk's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
pross_09's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is quite a lengthy review:
I have a love-hate relationship with the characters of this book... mostly hate, actually (because they are probably written to be unlikeable). I think they are fleshed out well, making me think that they are real people... especially Lali.
It has 3 POVs: Lali's, Arturo's, and Pilar's. You get into the characters most inner consciousness, some with no filter.
Additionally, I don't have so much knowledge about politics, so I didn't really understand what was happening, especially when the characters discuss about politics. But I was so into the personal lives of these characters, that's why I enjoyed it.
The things I love about this:
- The characters are so flawed and I love it (no sarcasm intended)
- Shares about Filipino culture 👌
- Opens our eyes to poverty and politics in the country
Things I don't like so much:
- Slapping me with how rich people are, like mentioning luxury brands of cars or perfumes (in just some scenes)
- The descriptive writing: sometimes I liked it, sometimes I didn't. But later in the book, I learned to appreciate the author's writing style
Last of the last: I enjoyed this. I don't recommend it to everyone, but if you want to have a taste of Filipino culture and its politics, flawed characters, and an expressive, emotion-stirring writing, and so much more... this one is for you.
I have a love-hate relationship with the characters of this book... mostly hate, actually (because they are probably written to be unlikeable). I think they are fleshed out well, making me think that they are real people... especially Lali.
It has 3 POVs: Lali's, Arturo's, and Pilar's. You get into the characters most inner consciousness, some with no filter.
Additionally, I don't have so much knowledge about politics, so I didn't really understand what was happening, especially when the characters discuss about politics. But I was so into the personal lives of these characters, that's why I enjoyed it.
The things I love about this:
- The characters are so flawed and I love it (no sarcasm intended)
- Shares about Filipino culture 👌
- Opens our eyes to poverty and politics in the country
Things I don't like so much:
- Slapping me with how rich people are, like mentioning luxury brands of cars or perfumes (in just some scenes)
- The descriptive writing: sometimes I liked it, sometimes I didn't. But later in the book, I learned to appreciate the author's writing style
Last of the last: I enjoyed this. I don't recommend it to everyone, but if you want to have a taste of Filipino culture and its politics, flawed characters, and an expressive, emotion-stirring writing, and so much more... this one is for you.