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roantcmn's review against another edition
challenging
funny
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I expected a lot from this novel especially since it is a Palanca-awardee. To say the least, it fell short.
Book-Miguel and Crispin were both unlikeable. You wouldn't be rooting for any of the characters here which I find necessary in any book I read, unfortunately. The plot twist however served as the "redemption arc" for book-Miguel as fiction is enough to justify his questionable character (I think).
I breezed through the last 50 or so pages because that was when the story picked up its pace. The 3 stars are solely for the last part.
The author no doubt has mastered his craft although I wouldn't call this a "mystery Filipino novel". It felt more like a 300-page pessimistic tour of the Philippines. Gets ko naman na it aims to attack the political system of the country pero pati ba naman landscape ng city and the people there, iinsultuhin? Anyway, it's a good, one-time read. Could be better. Might have to read again para ma-gets pero not anytime soon.
-2 stars agad for the use of the n-word multiple times and how the author writes about women here, comparable to Murakami's.
Book-Miguel and Crispin were both unlikeable. You wouldn't be rooting for any of the characters here which I find necessary in any book I read, unfortunately. The plot twist however served as the "redemption arc" for book-Miguel as fiction is enough to justify his questionable character (I think).
I breezed through the last 50 or so pages because that was when the story picked up its pace. The 3 stars are solely for the last part.
The author no doubt has mastered his craft although I wouldn't call this a "mystery Filipino novel". It felt more like a 300-page pessimistic tour of the Philippines. Gets ko naman na it aims to attack the political system of the country pero pati ba naman landscape ng city and the people there, iinsultuhin? Anyway, it's a good, one-time read. Could be better. Might have to read again para ma-gets pero not anytime soon.
-2 stars agad for the use of the n-word multiple times and how the author writes about women here, comparable to Murakami's.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Sexual content