jlexusjonson's review
5.0
Daryll Delgado’s 2019 debut novel, “Remains” is an important recollection of recent devastation. It gracefully hinges narrative in a precise immersion of aftermath we all wished could be washed off. The novel follows Ann as she trudges of what remains of Tacloban after receiving the unnerving brute of Typhoon Haiyan (locally known as Yolanda) and captures an honest snapshot of the place for a scoping project for an NGO. Along with Ann’s personal histories, interjected with the narrative are the narratives of the locals who survived the tragedy.
I’ve been a huge fan of Delgado’s prose since reading her 2013 collection “After the Body Displaces Water.” Her economics to words and knowing precisely the most effective ones to use to present an unnerving immersion to the narrative is unparalleled. And this work presents further evidence into that acclaim.
The novel doesn’t demand or begs for its audiences’ attention. It knows it fully deserves its attention and rather gifts its audiences unmatchable synesthesia on the narrator’s psyche, first-person accounts, and most of all the environment as a whole. Coupled with intriguing plot points established in the first few chapters for backbone, we have a very palpable narrative.
Moreover, I think there is magic in the narrative in which we establish this dynamic between the diaspora (Ann), the outsider (the audience), and the first-hand witnesses that were transcribed in the presentation of the narrative.
While upon finishing the novel, I felt that there are some plot points established that were unresolved. Perhaps intentional. Perhaps none. Nonetheless, this still not change the fact of the wonderful work Delgado has on this.
Powerful and immersive, “Remains” may be one of the best reads I’ll have for this year!
I’ve been a huge fan of Delgado’s prose since reading her 2013 collection “After the Body Displaces Water.” Her economics to words and knowing precisely the most effective ones to use to present an unnerving immersion to the narrative is unparalleled. And this work presents further evidence into that acclaim.
The novel doesn’t demand or begs for its audiences’ attention. It knows it fully deserves its attention and rather gifts its audiences unmatchable synesthesia on the narrator’s psyche, first-person accounts, and most of all the environment as a whole. Coupled with intriguing plot points established in the first few chapters for backbone, we have a very palpable narrative.
Moreover, I think there is magic in the narrative in which we establish this dynamic between the diaspora (Ann), the outsider (the audience), and the first-hand witnesses that were transcribed in the presentation of the narrative.
While upon finishing the novel, I felt that there are some plot points established that were unresolved. Perhaps intentional. Perhaps none. Nonetheless, this still not change the fact of the wonderful work Delgado has on this.
Powerful and immersive, “Remains” may be one of the best reads I’ll have for this year!
mariaellabetos's review
4.0
You can hover to my long blog post about this book in the meantime
I shall post a summarized book review soon. Hang on!
I shall post a summarized book review soon. Hang on!
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