Reviews
Indigenous Literatures from Micronesia by Emelihter Kihleng, Evelyn Flores, Craig Santos Pérez
fuzzyhebrew's review
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
I truly could not find any other literature written by Micronesian authors in English. It is wonderful that this book exists, and I hope that more will continue to be put on paper so other people can learn about this culture. My favorite entry was For the Good of Mankind.
kateabane2003's review
5.0
From Craig Santos Perez's "Afterword":
"The editors, after years of voyaging, have guided us safely to our destination: here, upon the shore of your attention. This anthology is significant because it is the first compilation of twentieth- and twenty-first-century Micronesian writers. It is significant because it changes the perception that our literature is lacking. It is significant because it introduces our literature to an international audience. The anthology makes visible what was once invisible.”
Read this collection. Read this collection. Read this collection. Read this collection. Read this collection. Read this collection. Read this collection. Read this collection. Read this collection.
Do it!!
Every morning, for the past six months, I've read an excerpt from [b: Indigenous Literatures from Micronesia|39816295|Indigenous Literatures from Micronesia|Evelyn Flores|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1589167640l/39816295._SY75_.jpg|61574042]. I discovered the book last year when I was writing a paper on Chamorro mythology. I've always wanted to read more Pacific Islander literature, so finding it was an ecstatic moment. When I told my mom about the book, her first comment was this: "That's real?" It is in fact, very real. Real enough to be a three-hundred-page anthology.
It warms my heart that this collection exists. Consisting of poetry, prose, and drama, the book explores the vastly diverse regions of Micronesia. From war anecdotes to familial journeys, every piece tells an important story. For the first time ever, I've been able to read works written by Guamanian authors, works written in Guam, and works about Guam. My love of literature burns all the brighter, welcoming this part of my heritage. In 2024, I'll set foot on the island for the first time when my parents renew their vows!!! Will I be running straight to the University of Guam, fangirling for Evelyn Flores? Who knows!
I never annotate books, but I post-it noted A LOT of pages in this book. So many of the stories, songs, and lessons touched me. I'm going to share this collection with any and all I can. I'm an English major, so you bet I'll be promoting this book until the day I die. Micronesian literature is real, and it's a tragedy people don't recognize it. It's as brilliant, inventive, and plentiful as any other subset. So please, buy yourself a copy. This was a deeply personal read for me, but I guarantee anyone can appreciate its beauty.
"The editors, after years of voyaging, have guided us safely to our destination: here, upon the shore of your attention. This anthology is significant because it is the first compilation of twentieth- and twenty-first-century Micronesian writers. It is significant because it changes the perception that our literature is lacking. It is significant because it introduces our literature to an international audience. The anthology makes visible what was once invisible.”
Read this collection. Read this collection. Read this collection. Read this collection. Read this collection. Read this collection. Read this collection. Read this collection. Read this collection.
Do it!!
Every morning, for the past six months, I've read an excerpt from [b: Indigenous Literatures from Micronesia|39816295|Indigenous Literatures from Micronesia|Evelyn Flores|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1589167640l/39816295._SY75_.jpg|61574042]. I discovered the book last year when I was writing a paper on Chamorro mythology. I've always wanted to read more Pacific Islander literature, so finding it was an ecstatic moment. When I told my mom about the book, her first comment was this: "That's real?" It is in fact, very real. Real enough to be a three-hundred-page anthology.
It warms my heart that this collection exists. Consisting of poetry, prose, and drama, the book explores the vastly diverse regions of Micronesia. From war anecdotes to familial journeys, every piece tells an important story. For the first time ever, I've been able to read works written by Guamanian authors, works written in Guam, and works about Guam. My love of literature burns all the brighter, welcoming this part of my heritage. In 2024, I'll set foot on the island for the first time when my parents renew their vows!!! Will I be running straight to the University of Guam, fangirling for Evelyn Flores? Who knows!
I never annotate books, but I post-it noted A LOT of pages in this book. So many of the stories, songs, and lessons touched me. I'm going to share this collection with any and all I can. I'm an English major, so you bet I'll be promoting this book until the day I die. Micronesian literature is real, and it's a tragedy people don't recognize it. It's as brilliant, inventive, and plentiful as any other subset. So please, buy yourself a copy. This was a deeply personal read for me, but I guarantee anyone can appreciate its beauty.
apersonfromflorida's review
challenging
emotional
informative
slow-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content, Death of parent, Child death, and Animal death
hilaryreadsbooks's review
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
Split into seven thematic sections, INDIGENOUS LITERATURES FROM MICRONESIA is the first significant anthology published that presents a range of Micronesian literature, including poetry, fiction, songs, and essays. The pieces included within this anthology should be celebrated both as literary achievements and as a crucial remembering of history told by Micronesian voices.
As someone who never learned about the history of these islands, the stark impact of colonization and militarization upon the indigenous people and their land was startling to learn about. Nuclear waste and ongoing damage wrecks havoc on land and bodies; in "History Project," Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner reflects on "the miscarriages unspoken / the broken translations.../ i thought it was my fault. / i thought / there must be something wrong / inside me." Self-determination is withheld from the people of Guåhan; Frederick B. Quinene asks Uncle Sam, "You say I am your citizen, / Then why is it I don't feel free?" This anthology not only brings forth crucial issues that Micronesians face, but also exemplifies and preserves memory of indigenous traditions and resilience and resistance to these challenges. I particularly loved the pieces that celebrated connection and family, whether it be through food, songs, or creation stories.
Full review: https://www.instagram.com/p/CPGRDRKrcvp/
As someone who never learned about the history of these islands, the stark impact of colonization and militarization upon the indigenous people and their land was startling to learn about. Nuclear waste and ongoing damage wrecks havoc on land and bodies; in "History Project," Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner reflects on "the miscarriages unspoken / the broken translations.../ i thought it was my fault. / i thought / there must be something wrong / inside me." Self-determination is withheld from the people of Guåhan; Frederick B. Quinene asks Uncle Sam, "You say I am your citizen, / Then why is it I don't feel free?" This anthology not only brings forth crucial issues that Micronesians face, but also exemplifies and preserves memory of indigenous traditions and resilience and resistance to these challenges. I particularly loved the pieces that celebrated connection and family, whether it be through food, songs, or creation stories.
Full review: https://www.instagram.com/p/CPGRDRKrcvp/
adastraperlibros's review
4.0
"MICRONESIAN lacks concrete definition / An inadequate / Insufficient / Identity / Misplaced / Bestowed wrongly / Upon a large and diverse / Pacific Island population / Who are not under one flag / Who do not speak one tongue / Who do not eat the same food / And most of all who / Do not want to be recognized as One"
.
Indigenous Literatures From Micronesia, edited by Evelyn Flores & Emelihter Kihleng, is an anthology of works by dozens of contemporary authors from a variety of island nations (Guam, Kiribati, Palau, and the Marshall Islands, to name a few) making up the region of the Pacific often called Micronesia. The works are mostly poems, but also include songs, essays, short stories, and excerpts of larger works like plays and novels. I'll admit I was less gripped by the excerpts than the complete works. It wasn't always clear why that particular segment was selected for the book, and I'm not necessarily interested in only reading chapter 20 of a novel.
The book is divided into thematic sections like Origins (creation stories), Voyages (diaspora experiences), and Family (interpersonal/community relationships). My favorite sections were definitely Resistance and Identities, I felt like those were the ones I learned the most from those in terms of Micronesian histories, contemporary issues, and ways of life, but every section was a literal treasure trove. This is a truly invaluable text that I'm so glad exists, and I can't even imagine how impactful it would be for a Micronesian reader to see themselves reflected so clearly in it.
I'm sure my understanding of the texts contained here are surface level at best, the forward and afterward made it clear that much of Micronesian cultures comes from oral traditions, as well as visual mediums like dances and tattoos, and I don't have the frame of reference to recognize those elements being translated into writing. Nevertheless, I found this a fascinating collection that I would recommend for anyone and everyone interested in indigenous, postcolonial, or environmental studies. I'll certainly be seeking out works by the contributors in the near future.
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