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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Blood, Abortion
Moderate: Racial slurs
emotional
mysterious
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
I got this book after hearing a virtual talk with the author online. The ideas of the book were better than the execution. I like the interweaving of the two girls who end up in America, but the way they were introduced was confusing. The first half followed different people than the second half, and I felt like the earlier story lines dropped. It had difficult to read parts about violence and abuse against women as well as stigma. Enjoyed reading the learning more about the culture.
"Haven't you learned that Manila's families are built on secrets? People like my mother and sister guard their secrets like jewels to protect the family's good name." Aldo scowled out the window at the trolley rumbling past. "Better to live here, where no one knows the damn name to begin with."
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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.
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!!!
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.
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.
"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.