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A review by unofficialbookgraph
Lolas' House: Filipino Women Living with War by M. Evelina Galang
5.0
Galang documents stories of 16 Filipina “comfort women,” women and girls forced into sexual slavery during ww2, and ongoing efforts of the Lolas and survivors in other countries to receive formal acknowledgment and reparations from the Japanese government. The number of living “comfort women” continues to decrease as the years go on and they have yet to receive formal apologies.
On one hand, it was difficult to read the horrific stories and to further learn about the trauma, isolation, and stigmatization the Lolas faced afterwards. On the other hand, it was inspiring to read about how full of life many of them were. Dancing, singing, and inviting Galang to eat, “kain na” - all the while reminding me of my own lola, enduring in the face of everything.
Reading about this problem doesn’t solve it but these women’s stories deserve to be acknowledged and heard. I would recommend this book for those who want to learn about this subject with the warning that the descriptions of events may be triggering.
On one hand, it was difficult to read the horrific stories and to further learn about the trauma, isolation, and stigmatization the Lolas faced afterwards. On the other hand, it was inspiring to read about how full of life many of them were. Dancing, singing, and inviting Galang to eat, “kain na” - all the while reminding me of my own lola, enduring in the face of everything.
Reading about this problem doesn’t solve it but these women’s stories deserve to be acknowledged and heard. I would recommend this book for those who want to learn about this subject with the warning that the descriptions of events may be triggering.