heartrend's review
dark
fast-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Transphobia, Physical abuse, and Violence
earldizon's review against another edition
3.0
Some familiar and new (to me) authors contributed to this anthology of short stories all taking place in sprawling Manila, Philippines. As the title also suggests, you do have to be a certain frame of mind to read the cynical rather bleak crime stories.
ephermeyal's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
earlapvaldez's review
5.0
What is it like to enter into the darkest alleys and corners of the Manila, the city of the great and the wretched alike?
This is the question that was answered by this book through a series of stories and fictional accounts of the life of Manila. And as a Manileno, I am glad that this collection of noir fiction has come up, which more or less reflect what it's like to see what has not been noticed: individual lives caught in tension with the big space where they belong, with the world that has been left unexploreed and yet contains more mysteries than we ever think it to be. Furthermore, what astounds me is that they do deliver snapshots that tell of the realities of this big city, one that perhaps demands a response for us, even to the level of listening and being aware of them.
This is a great book for one who does a "philosophy of the city" through the eyes of literary fiction, for it allows one to think along the fringes of outer and inner urban life, those which were left unnoticed and yet creates much impact and significance for the urbanite. This reminds us that Manila is not just about the jobs and the buildings of Makati, or of the businesses and schools along Quezon City. Rather, it is about the struggles of the poor and underprivileged, the persecuted, and the never-heard-of people who struggle to find life in the city, but rather finds something unexpectedly terrible and unfortunate.
Also, if a literature teacher can read this, I ask that you make this part of your required readings. All the stories here are nothing short of fantastic and can indeed provide the rather privileged with a glimpse of the city that they are not able to witness in their everyday life.
This is the question that was answered by this book through a series of stories and fictional accounts of the life of Manila. And as a Manileno, I am glad that this collection of noir fiction has come up, which more or less reflect what it's like to see what has not been noticed: individual lives caught in tension with the big space where they belong, with the world that has been left unexploreed and yet contains more mysteries than we ever think it to be. Furthermore, what astounds me is that they do deliver snapshots that tell of the realities of this big city, one that perhaps demands a response for us, even to the level of listening and being aware of them.
This is a great book for one who does a "philosophy of the city" through the eyes of literary fiction, for it allows one to think along the fringes of outer and inner urban life, those which were left unnoticed and yet creates much impact and significance for the urbanite. This reminds us that Manila is not just about the jobs and the buildings of Makati, or of the businesses and schools along Quezon City. Rather, it is about the struggles of the poor and underprivileged, the persecuted, and the never-heard-of people who struggle to find life in the city, but rather finds something unexpectedly terrible and unfortunate.
Also, if a literature teacher can read this, I ask that you make this part of your required readings. All the stories here are nothing short of fantastic and can indeed provide the rather privileged with a glimpse of the city that they are not able to witness in their everyday life.
sofiavelasco's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jeli_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Jessica Hagedorn in her introduction promises that there will be no happy endings to be found here. But what makes a happy ending? Survival? Money? Being at peace with ones desperate circumstance? Clawing through life like the smell of second hand smoke on a busted up couch. The characters featured are shock-proof dealing with murder and mutilation alike with somber nods and quick limbs. Their stories are various degrees of tension with an atmosphere of urban and moral decay. A dirty get-away book for the staccato hearted.
darlingbudsofrae's review against another edition
4.0
Manila Noir is a fantastic collection of cynically gruesome stories, and I am so happy to have read this book. The stories are twistedly dark and intriguing tales of crimes with strong and often times surprising endings. Hence, the noir in the title. I've been to Manila a couple of times during the holidays, and this book while ghastly made me miss the place. Manila is the city of dreams- big infrastructures, buzzling crowds and cars, it feels freeing to just frolic along the streets and visit historical landmarks. It also only takes a day to see the much dull and depressing side of the city- the people clutching their bags and belongings heavily, the distrustful looks to others when one comes to close or accidentally brushes one’s shoulders, the ragged children begging for alms on the street, the exchange of crude language on the stalls, etc. I was honestly so surprised at how reminiscent it is of the place and how well it captures the atmosphere demanded of the stories. This, of course, wasn’t a perfect book- I am not a fan of a select number of stories and there were a few technicalities in terms of structure and writing but honestly? This is such a solid anthology, definite kudos to the authors!
learnthuman's review against another edition
5.0
Being a city full of mystery, hardship and superstition, Manila is definitely a great location for Noir-esque narratives and crime-filled drama. The collection is subdivided into three main themes: Us Against Them, Black Pearl of the Orient, and They Live by Night and features multiple noteworthy stories. Among my favourites include 'Aviary' which tells the tale of a group of poor youths infiltrating GreenBelt Mall, whose management had officially banned "the poor" from entering. There's also 'Broken Glass' featuring mysterious gossip about a murder that occurred in an upperclass suburban community, told through the lenses of a little girl. Last but not least is 'Trese: Thirteen Stations' which is a gorgeously Komiks-esque graphic short story which is essentially Filipino lower mythology meets the classic Noir Private 'I' motif.