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A review by xiaodejao
Monsoon Mansion: A Memoir by Cinelle Barnes
5.0
'Read a book written by a Filipino or with a book with a Filipino main character"
- The Book Rebellion (bookclub), Emojiathon
First few sentences, one chapter in, and I was captivated by Cinelle's words. It was liquid gold, poetic, graphic, a taste you associated with those who knows language. She captured me by her narrative and never let go of the hold up until the last page, last word, one dot to indicate the end.
I was mesmerized, still am, of the story and of the characters, and of how real it is. To go through what the author has been is a question answerable only by you either survive or you succumbed to life's adversity.
"Promise me, you’ll always remember, none of this is normal. But we were not made for normal, and for that, I am sorry, my warrior girl,” Papa said. “Be brave, be smart, be kind, and have faith. Remember that you are made of light.”
- quoted from 'Monsoon Mansion'
'Monsoon Mansion' is a story of a privileged girl in the Philippines living in a palace of dreams and of ambitions, and what became the 'Mansion Royale'. Of her coming-of-age story with her stepbrother, family's servants, her parents, stepdad, and how she survived to one day swim in the ocean because she has never been a good runner. The narrative takes us to every wall of the ten-bedroom Mansion, its performance and what lies behind after turning the spotlight off.
This richly narrated memoir by Cinelle Barnes made me laugh and cry. What an Unforgettable story!
- The Book Rebellion (bookclub), Emojiathon
First few sentences, one chapter in, and I was captivated by Cinelle's words. It was liquid gold, poetic, graphic, a taste you associated with those who knows language. She captured me by her narrative and never let go of the hold up until the last page, last word, one dot to indicate the end.
I was mesmerized, still am, of the story and of the characters, and of how real it is. To go through what the author has been is a question answerable only by you either survive or you succumbed to life's adversity.
"Promise me, you’ll always remember, none of this is normal. But we were not made for normal, and for that, I am sorry, my warrior girl,” Papa said. “Be brave, be smart, be kind, and have faith. Remember that you are made of light.”
- quoted from 'Monsoon Mansion'
'Monsoon Mansion' is a story of a privileged girl in the Philippines living in a palace of dreams and of ambitions, and what became the 'Mansion Royale'. Of her coming-of-age story with her stepbrother, family's servants, her parents, stepdad, and how she survived to one day swim in the ocean because she has never been a good runner. The narrative takes us to every wall of the ten-bedroom Mansion, its performance and what lies behind after turning the spotlight off.
This richly narrated memoir by Cinelle Barnes made me laugh and cry. What an Unforgettable story!