Scan barcode
flipoftheflap's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The obsession that the Guerrero family has with superficial looks while being incredibly cruel works to highlight class divisions. Its also telling that the reason for the second generation breaks away from the cycle of cruelty put in play to secure their standing was one who called the nanny their mom. The immigration experiences of mail order brides made me terribly sad thinking of how this is a reality for women. The book starting off with a Gabriel Garcia Marquez made me think that magical realism was gonna play a huge role in the story, but its rather minor.
adifferentreadingview's review
5.0
It has been a long time since I've read a book that has greatly affected me. The Mango Bride touched on so many issues Filipino-Americans face regularly. As a Filipino American, I am so happy that I found this book on my last trip to the Philippines. I only wish/hope that there will be more stories written about the struggles of Fil Ams. The story was relatable and realistic. Many of the instances in Amparo and Beverly's stories were stories I've heard from my family or from relatives and friends. The story is very sad, but very realistic. Many of the instances that happen are regular occurrences in the Philippines and America.
The ending is a little open-ended. I do wish there was more closure with Mateo, Manong Del, and a few of the other minor characters. It kind of felt like the first part was incredibly long and by the 4th part it felt a little rushed. Despite this, i absolutely enjoyed this book and will definitely be recommending it to all the Filipino-Americans I know! Soliven touched on a lot of important pieces of history like martial law in the philippines and the history of filipino-americans here in America - I was really excited to read about the veteran@s.
I'm definitely looking forward to more stories from Soliven!!! I highly recommend this book!!!
The ending is a little open-ended. I do wish there was more closure with Mateo, Manong Del, and a few of the other minor characters. It kind of felt like the first part was incredibly long and by the 4th part it felt a little rushed. Despite this, i absolutely enjoyed this book and will definitely be recommending it to all the Filipino-Americans I know! Soliven touched on a lot of important pieces of history like martial law in the philippines and the history of filipino-americans here in America - I was really excited to read about the veteran@s.
I'm definitely looking forward to more stories from Soliven!!! I highly recommend this book!!!
soupwitch86's review
4.0
I read an uncorrected proof version so there were a few things I would change but they were very minor. Most were just technical errors anyway.
Besides that, I thought the book was great. For me, it really picked up towards the end, but the beginning and middle kept me interested because I got to step into and learn about a world I knew nothing about. I liked the language switch from English to Filipino, it made it feel very realistic and personal. Once you had the whole story it really picked up and towards the end I could not put down the book, it was really good and fast paced. And it does not have the ending you except once you learn all the information and how everyone is connected which I liked also. All in all, this was a very good book and I recommend it to women of all ages and races.
Besides that, I thought the book was great. For me, it really picked up towards the end, but the beginning and middle kept me interested because I got to step into and learn about a world I knew nothing about. I liked the language switch from English to Filipino, it made it feel very realistic and personal. Once you had the whole story it really picked up and towards the end I could not put down the book, it was really good and fast paced. And it does not have the ending you except once you learn all the information and how everyone is connected which I liked also. All in all, this was a very good book and I recommend it to women of all ages and races.
rwidiani's review
4.0
I love the book! I collected some books to borrow, about immigrants and living abroad. Soliven has a very smooth writing style that I enjoy so much.
I don't know a lot about Phillipines, surprised to see some similar words shared with Indonesian, learned that our cultures are not so different. I discussed it with my Filipino friend who also lives here.
I don't know a lot about Phillipines, surprised to see some similar words shared with Indonesian, learned that our cultures are not so different. I discussed it with my Filipino friend who also lives here.
kent_alvarus's review
4.0
"Those who run to America are only trying to escape their lives here... but you never really escape those left behind. You only abandon them."
The Mango Bride tackles on several issues on contemporary Philippine society: immigration, domestic violence, outdated family traditions, mental health, abortion, among others. The author Marivi Soliven, with no holds barred, delivered greatly even on the necessary eventual profanities (take note: in full Tagalog) and graphic scenes. Truly a novel of its time.
Though initially this novel called me uncultured and made me a déclassé (which, by the way, was used in here), I like how Amparo's character came from the untouchable elites of Manila to the subconsciously concerned kabayan to other Filipino immigrants in California, there regardless of social status, with the author using Amparo as an English-Tagalog translator.
I also like how the story navigated its way through the use of Filipino food. The issue on cooking Filipino food with bagoong is so common among Filipinos abroad yet still remains underrepresented.
Beverly's character is just a pitiful tragedy. No words. This novel just seeks justice to those people whose stories are likely to be or are in the same way with Beverly's.
Ps. I usually frown away from soapy novels. Here, I didn't mind such. The author depicted each scene as if they were biographical accounts of Amparo and Beverly.
The Mango Bride tackles on several issues on contemporary Philippine society: immigration, domestic violence, outdated family traditions, mental health, abortion, among others. The author Marivi Soliven, with no holds barred, delivered greatly even on the necessary eventual profanities (take note: in full Tagalog) and graphic scenes. Truly a novel of its time.
Though initially this novel called me uncultured and made me a déclassé (which, by the way, was used in here), I like how Amparo's character came from the untouchable elites of Manila to the subconsciously concerned kabayan to other Filipino immigrants in California, there regardless of social status, with the author using Amparo as an English-Tagalog translator.
I also like how the story navigated its way through the use of Filipino food. The issue on cooking Filipino food with bagoong is so common among Filipinos abroad yet still remains underrepresented.
Beverly's character is just a pitiful tragedy. No words. This novel just seeks justice to those people whose stories are likely to be or are in the same way with Beverly's.
Ps. I usually frown away from soapy novels. Here, I didn't mind such. The author depicted each scene as if they were biographical accounts of Amparo and Beverly.
mersh's review
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
samiism's review
4.0
It's very rare that I find a well-written novel written by a Filipino starring Filipino characters in an American setting. Mango Bride was a gem to read.
This soap opera-like novel eventually comes full circle, focusing on the lives of the rich Guerrero family and the Obejas women. The story starts with a mystery--why did the Guerrero's trusted cook Nanay Marcela stab the bitchy matriarch Senora Concha during breakfast? We are then launched into the history of the clan, answering questions along the way. Why is Concha's daughter Amparo exiled in the United States with her Uncle Aldo? What is Marcela's role within the family, besides being their cook? Who is Beverly?
The story tackled women's issues in the late 80's and early 90's, as well as explored the diaspora of Filipinos immigrants. We are introduced to multi-faceted characters such as Manong Del, whom Amparo befriended on the train; Josiah Stein; Lisa and her fiance Lydell; Mateo and Seamus, among others. All the characters undo some sort of change throughout the story, and all for different interesting reasons.
For a short book, Mango Bride was brimming with rich details (and prose) and a whirlwind of events. A must-read for sure.
This soap opera-like novel eventually comes full circle, focusing on the lives of the rich Guerrero family and the Obejas women. The story starts with a mystery--why did the Guerrero's trusted cook Nanay Marcela stab the bitchy matriarch Senora Concha during breakfast? We are then launched into the history of the clan, answering questions along the way. Why is Concha's daughter Amparo exiled in the United States with her Uncle Aldo? What is Marcela's role within the family, besides being their cook? Who is Beverly?
The story tackled women's issues in the late 80's and early 90's, as well as explored the diaspora of Filipinos immigrants. We are introduced to multi-faceted characters such as Manong Del, whom Amparo befriended on the train; Josiah Stein; Lisa and her fiance Lydell; Mateo and Seamus, among others. All the characters undo some sort of change throughout the story, and all for different interesting reasons.
For a short book, Mango Bride was brimming with rich details (and prose) and a whirlwind of events. A must-read for sure.
kriziaannacastro's review
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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? No
4.0
saylalalila's review
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
4.5
mezzythedragon's review
5.0
I could not put this book down! It touches on so many issues affecting Filipino Americans, like the immigrant experience, mail-order brides, domestic violence, keeping up with appearances for the sake of of the family's good name, the plight of the Veteranos -- all wrapped up in a complex plot of heavy family drama. Some scenes were very intense, especially when touching upon marital abuse and the indifference of the rich in the plight of the poor. Perhaps the only thing I wasn't too keen on was the ending, but then again, virtually nothing in life gets resolved neatly.