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cezee's review against another edition
5.0
I love the collection of short stories in this book. I'm ao amazed with our Filipino writers and artist and I'm hoping to read more from Filipino writers.
margitc's review
4.0
I don’t read a lot of short stories. I usually go for the meatier fare of a novel. But a good short story can be like a good chocolate – a lot of excellent flavor packed into a small bite. The stories in Manila Noir are more savory treats. Best read one or two at a time. They explore the shadowy side of a difficult society. More descriptive of a country I’ve never seen than any travel guide. After the first story, Lysley Tenorio’s Aviary, I put the book aside for a few days just to come back and appreciate it over again. The authors – Tenorio, Jessica Hagedorn, Sabina Murray, Jonas Vitman, Gina Apostol, among others – are not familiar to me but I look forward to exploring their talents further.
nataliecherne's review
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
samhouston's review
4.0
Manila Noir is my fourth experience with the intriguing noir short story series published by Akashic Books (following Boston Noir, Mexico City Noir, and Long Island Noir), a series now numbering something like fifty-six titles. Much like the first three collections I read, Manila Noir is a bit of a mixed bag. When it is good it is very, very good. The good news is that when it is "bad," the stories only sink to the level of mediocrity, not to awfulness.
The fourteen stories in the collection were written (in English) by writers, several of which now live in the United States, who were born in the Philippines. It also includes an excellent introduction to set the mood for what is to follow, one that clearly defines the elements of Manila-style noir that give the Filipino version of the genre a special edge. Also from the introduction, I particularly like editor Jessica Hagedorn's list of what she calls “the noir essentials:”
"…alienated and desperate characters, terse dialogue, sudden violence, betrayals left and right. And of course, there's plenty of mordant humor. And of course, there are no happy endings."
Three of the short stories particularly stand out in my memory. The first of these, by Rosario Cruz-Lucero, is an atmospheric gem entitled "A Human Right" that involves Manila death squads, childhood friends, and family loyalty that will stay with me for a long time because it considers so many questions in only seventeen pages. This is the stuff of the best coming-of-age novels.
"Comforter of the Afflicted," by F.H. Batacan (a woman who worked for Philippine intelligence for several years) is the tragic story of a woman who died, almost anonymously, in the service of others. I am particularly taken with the story's central character, an elderly priest who lends his investigative skills to an overburdened police department that depends greatly on Father Saenz's help. I believe that this priest is one of two Jesuits featured in the author's 2002 novel, Smaller and Smaller Circles, a book I am now looking to add to my To-Be-Read stack.
The third story I want to mention is Sabina Murry's (yes, if you are wondering, the collection does include stories by male authors) "Broken Glass." This is the story of a little girl who, while visiting her rich aunt, makes a grisly discovery in the walled home's lush garden. It is a highly atmospheric story that explores the relationship between Manila's rich and those who depend on them for their own survival. It is also a coming-of-age story of sorts in which a bright little girl learns a lot about the world she lives in.
Bottom Line: This is a worthy addition to a thriving series that seems to have no end (the publisher already has announced an additional fifteen titles in the works). I will, I hope, be reading more of them. If noir-styled fiction is to your liking, this just might be the series you were hoping to find.
Rated at: 3.5
The fourteen stories in the collection were written (in English) by writers, several of which now live in the United States, who were born in the Philippines. It also includes an excellent introduction to set the mood for what is to follow, one that clearly defines the elements of Manila-style noir that give the Filipino version of the genre a special edge. Also from the introduction, I particularly like editor Jessica Hagedorn's list of what she calls “the noir essentials:”
"…alienated and desperate characters, terse dialogue, sudden violence, betrayals left and right. And of course, there's plenty of mordant humor. And of course, there are no happy endings."
Three of the short stories particularly stand out in my memory. The first of these, by Rosario Cruz-Lucero, is an atmospheric gem entitled "A Human Right" that involves Manila death squads, childhood friends, and family loyalty that will stay with me for a long time because it considers so many questions in only seventeen pages. This is the stuff of the best coming-of-age novels.
"Comforter of the Afflicted," by F.H. Batacan (a woman who worked for Philippine intelligence for several years) is the tragic story of a woman who died, almost anonymously, in the service of others. I am particularly taken with the story's central character, an elderly priest who lends his investigative skills to an overburdened police department that depends greatly on Father Saenz's help. I believe that this priest is one of two Jesuits featured in the author's 2002 novel, Smaller and Smaller Circles, a book I am now looking to add to my To-Be-Read stack.
The third story I want to mention is Sabina Murry's (yes, if you are wondering, the collection does include stories by male authors) "Broken Glass." This is the story of a little girl who, while visiting her rich aunt, makes a grisly discovery in the walled home's lush garden. It is a highly atmospheric story that explores the relationship between Manila's rich and those who depend on them for their own survival. It is also a coming-of-age story of sorts in which a bright little girl learns a lot about the world she lives in.
Bottom Line: This is a worthy addition to a thriving series that seems to have no end (the publisher already has announced an additional fifteen titles in the works). I will, I hope, be reading more of them. If noir-styled fiction is to your liking, this just might be the series you were hoping to find.
Rated at: 3.5
dee2799d's review
4.0
Probably one of the strongest anthologies of contemporary Philippine lit I've come across (but then again, I don't really read much by way of anthologies, so...). Also a surprising number of transvestite and transsexual stories--not sure what that might mean in terms of Philippine crime fiction (does it mean that they attract predators because they're noticeable? because they are different? because a lot of people think they're perverts?) but also surprisingly well-handled.
My favourite story has to be F.H. Batacan's 'Comforter of the Afflicted'. Same writer as (as far as I know) the first Philippine crime novel, Smaller and Smaller Circles, which I should check out.
My favourite story has to be F.H. Batacan's 'Comforter of the Afflicted'. Same writer as (as far as I know) the first Philippine crime novel, Smaller and Smaller Circles, which I should check out.
pamshenanigans's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"Either nothing surprises you in Manila, or everything does."
"Manila's a city of extremes. Where the rich live in posh enclaves, guarded by men with guns. Where the poor improvise home out of wood, tin, and cardboard and live by their wits."
What an amazing anthology from notable Filipino authors Manila Noir is! It was interesting to read each story that highlights an area within the metropolis. From the mundane to the mysterious and even the supernatural, each snippet all had one thing in common: the darkly beautiful, stubborn, and unforgiving Manila.
"Manila's a city of extremes. Where the rich live in posh enclaves, guarded by men with guns. Where the poor improvise home out of wood, tin, and cardboard and live by their wits."
What an amazing anthology from notable Filipino authors Manila Noir is! It was interesting to read each story that highlights an area within the metropolis. From the mundane to the mysterious and even the supernatural, each snippet all had one thing in common: the darkly beautiful, stubborn, and unforgiving Manila.
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