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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
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
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
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
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.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a quiet book about love, opportunity and loss. It portrayed life for women in the Philippines as well as that for Filipina immigrants. This book was bittersweet. To say I enjoyed it is hard because the subject matter was hard in some places, but I enjoyed the characters of Amparo and her fall from grace and Beverly who just wants a better life. Both women grew and learned to stand on their own two feet.
My one complaint is that there was a touch too much Tagalong in some places which interrupted the flow of the narrative. Someone who understands Tagalong would probably not have been as affected by it and it did lend a greater air of authenticity.
My one complaint is that there was a touch too much Tagalong in some places which interrupted the flow of the narrative. Someone who understands Tagalong would probably not have been as affected by it and it did lend a greater air of authenticity.
emotional
fast-paced
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Classism
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Abortion, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body shaming, Cursing, Blood, Vomit
This book was pretty good! I liked it. And that's about all I've got to say, haha.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Mango Bride begins with an attention grabbing opening scene - the matriarch of a wealthy family in the Philippines is stabbed by a well-loved servant - and refuses to let an ambulance be called because it would give the neighbours something to gossip about. From there the novel shifts back in time to follow Amparo and Beverly, two Filipino women who migrate, separately and under different circumstances, to the United States where a surprising connection between them, and a long hidden family secret, is eventually revealed. This story examines the intersection of gender and class in the Phillipines and its exploration of issues like mail order brides made it a tough read at times. Manila was brought vividly to life. The food descriptions especially caught my attention - and had me heading to a local Filipino bakery to pick up some tasty ube treats.
This is a solid story that held my attention from beginning to end. While the book involves a tragedy and covers some tough topics it does end in a way that felt both hopeful and realistic. Just don’t read it if you are after a nuanced or sympathetic portrayal of male characters. They are mostly an unlikeable bunch in this book.
This is a solid story that held my attention from beginning to end. While the book involves a tragedy and covers some tough topics it does end in a way that felt both hopeful and realistic. Just don’t read it if you are after a nuanced or sympathetic portrayal of male characters. They are mostly an unlikeable bunch in this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Classism