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ayumi_can_read's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
the miseducation of my Fil-Am history
nic_t_dlr's review against another edition
3.0
Sometimes I didn’t like this book and other times I loved it.
Didn’t like:
-the ending was confusing. There is the climax of the historical moment, then we get a karaoke scene. Funny but also a bit of a cop out
Didn’t like:
-the ending was confusing. There is the climax of the historical moment, then we get a karaoke scene. Funny but also a bit of a cop out
ccallan's review against another edition
3.0
I'm not sure what to think about this book. I loved and hated it, often in the same moment. At times it was just too-too postmodern, show-offy in a "look what I can do" way, that didn't add to the impact of the book. At other times its unconventional methods were brilliantly effective -- as confusing as the jumping around in time was, it did show clear continuities of history, emotion, and experience of both people and Filipino society. On that jumping around, though: did all the characters have to have such similar names, and did each chapter really have to go two pages before it told us which "she" it was referring to? And the uber-educated allusions that got dropped in to listicles seemed more designed to show how sophisticated the narration was than to provide anything to the themes, plot, or characters. It's a wry, clever work -- I don't think I'll ever think about karioke the same way again. Plus a great reminder for American readers that the effects of US misadventures a century ago still matter, even if they are forgotten in the US.
I guess my ambivalence about the book is symbolized by how it ended. I was reading on Kindle, so wasn't quite clear how much more of the book there was to go. And I turned a page, I suddenly found out I had finished, and the rest of it was a (tongue-in-cheek) glossary and acknowledgements. It reminded me of arty French films where all of a sudden the film is over, with no warning. Worth a read, but be prepared for a jolty ride.
I guess my ambivalence about the book is symbolized by how it ended. I was reading on Kindle, so wasn't quite clear how much more of the book there was to go. And I turned a page, I suddenly found out I had finished, and the rest of it was a (tongue-in-cheek) glossary and acknowledgements. It reminded me of arty French films where all of a sudden the film is over, with no warning. Worth a read, but be prepared for a jolty ride.
hanntastic's review against another edition
Global Read Challenge 13: The Philippines
This book was a challenging read. It was hard to keep track of where we were in time and which characters were real or fictional within the story. I loved the sense I got of Manilla and learning about history but in end I felt like the boo was just too much of a slog.
This book was a challenging read. It was hard to keep track of where we were in time and which characters were real or fictional within the story. I loved the sense I got of Manilla and learning about history but in end I felt like the boo was just too much of a slog.
flucillie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
larkken's review
challenging
funny
informative
reflective
fast-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
4.75
acidicbruises's review against another edition
4.0
More like a 3.75~ but I'm so completely conflicted overall that I don't know whether it's tilting towards a 3.5 or a 4. On the whole, I really enjoyed Insurrecto but I felt as though I was reading it wrong most of the time.
I took the advice of many other reviews and kept a pencil with me at all times (my copy is LITTERED with thoughts and observations now) but I really think Apostol's writing is one that sits with you as you read, then perplexes you once you put the book down, even for a break. The best way I would describe the reading experience is watching something a critically acclaimed film on Netflix with the choppiest of wireless connections: you're not going to understand anything unless you watch it (metaphorically speaking) in one go—constantly having to pick it up where you left off is confusing and convoluted and nothing works.
I loved the metafiction, the kaleidoscopic narrative, the fact that the story doesn't feel like it's "going anywhere," I loved the stories and Magsalin and Chiara and Cassandra and Caz. As a half/mixed Filipina woman, film lover, writer and photographer(am I perhaps too many things at once?) it felt as though Apostol had peered into my soul and written about my every identity—which is perhaps why I love this book so much. Those unfamiliar with the Philippines or Philippine culture and how colonialism has shaped it could benefit from some external research, but I found that my very basic knowledge was good enough to peruse through the lives of these women in a way that was both self-involved and detached.
With that in mind, this book most definitely is not for everyone. If you're just looking to dip into metafiction or a kaleidoscopic narrative as I was, maybe don't start with this one. If you're a reader that needs a story to evolve, keep an open mind—it gets very confusing and might require a second read through, but it's worth it. If you're just interested in reading Apostol's words as a Philippine author, go right ahead.
I took the advice of many other reviews and kept a pencil with me at all times (my copy is LITTERED with thoughts and observations now) but I really think Apostol's writing is one that sits with you as you read, then perplexes you once you put the book down, even for a break. The best way I would describe the reading experience is watching something a critically acclaimed film on Netflix with the choppiest of wireless connections: you're not going to understand anything unless you watch it (metaphorically speaking) in one go—constantly having to pick it up where you left off is confusing and convoluted and nothing works.
I loved the metafiction, the kaleidoscopic narrative, the fact that the story doesn't feel like it's "going anywhere," I loved the stories and Magsalin and Chiara and Cassandra and Caz. As a half/mixed Filipina woman, film lover, writer and photographer
With that in mind, this book most definitely is not for everyone. If you're just looking to dip into metafiction or a kaleidoscopic narrative as I was, maybe don't start with this one. If you're a reader that needs a story to evolve, keep an open mind—it gets very confusing and might require a second read through, but it's worth it. If you're just interested in reading Apostol's words as a Philippine author, go right ahead.
namakurhea's review against another edition
4.0
The book introduces us to 2 characters: Magsalin, a Filipina translator, and Chiara, a white filmmaker. Chiara wanted to make a film on a massacre that happened back in 1901 in Balangiga, Samar. It started with a group of Filipino who killed 48 US soldiers... in which the US army retaliated by killing 2,000 to 50,000 Filipinos (numbers vary depending who you ask).
The disagreement between Magsalin and Chiara. "They were revolutionaries," Magsalin says. It was not an insurrection. Chiara ignores her. Thus begins the main plotline of Insurrecto: a battlenof perspectives.
The whole book is an entertaining exercise on understanding history using different glasses. To the US soldiers, these Filipino guerilla fighters are insurgents/rebels. But to the Filipinos themselves, they are their beloved bayani. The Battle of Balangiga itself is a real event that is equal parts chilling and brilliant. While the American soldies were enjoying their breakfast, Filipino revolutionaries rang at the tolling of the church bells. According to some account, the men infiltrated the plaza while wearing baro't saya and pretending to be women.
History are written by winners, they say. But at this day and age, with a generation that is more woke. It is important to write our own version of history. And this is why, despite the confusing pacing at first, I love love love this book. The first chapter, numbered 20, threw me off the balance right from the start. Even had to ask @whatnenareads who has read the book to make sense of it. But then, as if on cue, Apostol writes "A reader does not need to know everything."
Aside from that, the humor of this book is just...top notch. I cackled at Apostol describing William McKinley as an "excellent husband to his wife, Ida". WERK. IT. GORL (p.s if u dont get it, McKinley is the 25th US President). Also, the fact that the ending of the book features a karoke scene is so typical #Filipino the same way a group dance number as last scene is typical #Bollywood movie.
I spent 8 years of my life in the Philippines... So Apostol's writing of Cubao, Manila, tricycle drivers...ahhh really brought back some memories. The book cover is also illustrated by Ben Cab, a National Artist. THE Ben Cab. I am holding a piece of artwork with this @soho_press copy. THANKS SO MUCH @transitsanta who posted about it and still have a copy of this amazing book. 11/10 wud recommend
The disagreement between Magsalin and Chiara. "They were revolutionaries," Magsalin says. It was not an insurrection. Chiara ignores her. Thus begins the main plotline of Insurrecto: a battlenof perspectives.
The whole book is an entertaining exercise on understanding history using different glasses. To the US soldiers, these Filipino guerilla fighters are insurgents/rebels. But to the Filipinos themselves, they are their beloved bayani. The Battle of Balangiga itself is a real event that is equal parts chilling and brilliant. While the American soldies were enjoying their breakfast, Filipino revolutionaries rang at the tolling of the church bells. According to some account, the men infiltrated the plaza while wearing baro't saya and pretending to be women.
History are written by winners, they say. But at this day and age, with a generation that is more woke. It is important to write our own version of history. And this is why, despite the confusing pacing at first, I love love love this book. The first chapter, numbered 20, threw me off the balance right from the start. Even had to ask @whatnenareads who has read the book to make sense of it. But then, as if on cue, Apostol writes "A reader does not need to know everything."
Aside from that, the humor of this book is just...top notch. I cackled at Apostol describing William McKinley as an "excellent husband to his wife, Ida". WERK. IT. GORL (p.s if u dont get it, McKinley is the 25th US President). Also, the fact that the ending of the book features a karoke scene is so typical #Filipino the same way a group dance number as last scene is typical #Bollywood movie.
I spent 8 years of my life in the Philippines... So Apostol's writing of Cubao, Manila, tricycle drivers...ahhh really brought back some memories. The book cover is also illustrated by Ben Cab, a National Artist. THE Ben Cab. I am holding a piece of artwork with this @soho_press copy. THANKS SO MUCH @transitsanta who posted about it and still have a copy of this amazing book. 11/10 wud recommend
giugiufio's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25