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A review by xoxosam
The Mango Bride by Marivi Soliven Blanco
4.0
It's very rare that I find a well-written novel written by a Filipino starring Filipino characters in an American setting. Mango Bride was a gem to read.
This soap opera-like novel eventually comes full circle, focusing on the lives of the rich Guerrero family and the Obejas women. The story starts with a mystery--why did the Guerrero's trusted cook Nanay Marcela stab the bitchy matriarch Senora Concha during breakfast? We are then launched into the history of the clan, answering questions along the way. Why is Concha's daughter Amparo exiled in the United States with her Uncle Aldo? What is Marcela's role within the family, besides being their cook? Who is Beverly?
The story tackled women's issues in the late 80's and early 90's, as well as explored the diaspora of Filipinos immigrants. We are introduced to multi-faceted characters such as Manong Del, whom Amparo befriended on the train; Josiah Stein; Lisa and her fiance Lydell; Mateo and Seamus, among others. All the characters undo some sort of change throughout the story, and all for different interesting reasons.
For a short book, Mango Bride was brimming with rich details (and prose) and a whirlwind of events. A must-read for sure.
This soap opera-like novel eventually comes full circle, focusing on the lives of the rich Guerrero family and the Obejas women. The story starts with a mystery--why did the Guerrero's trusted cook Nanay Marcela stab the bitchy matriarch Senora Concha during breakfast? We are then launched into the history of the clan, answering questions along the way. Why is Concha's daughter Amparo exiled in the United States with her Uncle Aldo? What is Marcela's role within the family, besides being their cook? Who is Beverly?
The story tackled women's issues in the late 80's and early 90's, as well as explored the diaspora of Filipinos immigrants. We are introduced to multi-faceted characters such as Manong Del, whom Amparo befriended on the train; Josiah Stein; Lisa and her fiance Lydell; Mateo and Seamus, among others. All the characters undo some sort of change throughout the story, and all for different interesting reasons.
For a short book, Mango Bride was brimming with rich details (and prose) and a whirlwind of events. A must-read for sure.