Reviews

Assembling Alice by Mookie Katigbak-Lacuesta

kamharellano's review

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

5.0

If I had to describe this book in just one word, it would be elegant. As elegant as the titular Alice. Mookie Katigbak-Lacuesta's trademark graceful and sophisticated way of writing is evident in every word and phrase. Told in vignettes set throughout American-occupied Philippines and WW2-era Manila, Assembling Alice paints a picture of the author's grandmother: a woman to whom life had dealt an awful blow, and who yet never lost sight of who she was: an accomplished life-long student who was widely-read and played the piano beautifully, a prolific writer, a pillar of feminine strength, a visionary who believed in the Filipino woman's rights and who deeply loved her country.

In her writings, Alice Feria often posits the question—who is the Filipino? After reading this loving tribute to her memory, I'd like to answer that Alice Feria herself, along with the myriad of women like her, are the Filipino.

learnthuman's review

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.25

literary_hazelnut's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

4.0