A review by kylan
America Is in the Heart by Carlos Bulosan

challenging emotional hopeful informative
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

I appreciated learning about Filipinos in the United States as a fellow Pinoy immigrant coming to the U.S. Classic literature was never centered around my experiences so this book was enjoyable in that aspect. I'm unsure if the ease I found reading it was because I shared some experiences and understood some Tagalog words used in the book. Lastly, I think what makes this book a higher rating than most was because of this relatable quality to it. I think the story itself is rather intense as some experiences Bulosan chooses to describe are intense (sexual assault, physical assault, and intense violence). I also think he didn't see women of color in a very good light. His love for education obviously made him desire educated women (in this case white women) more. But, he fails to empathize with the situation immigrant women have to deal with.   
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