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A review by jayal
Song of the Mango and Other New Myths by Vida Cruz
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Reading "Song of the Mango and Other New Myths" has been an enjoyable and memorable journey for me. This book has fifteen different stories, all set in different worlds, with some even interlinked. My favorites in the collection are: "In the Shadow of the Typhoon Humans and Mahiwaga Cooperate for Survival," "How the Jungle Got Its Spirit Guardian," and "A Mask for the Queen of Shards."
The author's writing voice in this whole collection reminds me of its titular, a mangoβ warm, sweet, and savory. And since mango is my favorite fruit, it's not a surprise that this book has become my favorite collection of fantasy and speculative stories. I am most definitely looking forward to reading more of her works in the future.
1. Song of the Mango
"Years before, Maragat said that the sun was a humungous, glowing fruit hanging from the sky-tree. As I lifted the dagger to study the flawless golden fruit, I could not help thinking that I had at last tasted the sun."
πππππ
2. To Megan, with Half My Heart
Half her heart, literally.
"And even though I can't feel the missing part of my heart, I love you with all of both halves. If anybody could have saved me, it would've been you."
πππππ
3. First Play For and By Tikbalang
A short story using the structure of a long-form article, its subject a play centering the story of a Tikbalang and other mythical creatures.
In a world where Philippine mythical creatures coexist with humans, the drama features an ensemble of mostly mythical creatures as casts of the play, such as a real Tikbalang, Tiyanak, etc.
Various groups of protesters are rallying outside the theatre, vocally against the casting of mythical creatures to play characters who are, in fact, mythical creatures as well.
These 'activists' believe that such a line of work should only be for humans and humans only, the production. Accepting them is 'ruining' the purpose of art and culture.
This story reminds me of whitewashing and racism. Although, I see it more as mythological creatures representing minorities who are trying to take up their space in the real world.
πππππ
4. The Museum of Incomplete Statues
"Is Anna mourning the man or is she mourning his love?"
A person made incomplete by loss and heartbreak turns into an incomplete statue in the museum herself.
πππππ
5. Chosen Mother
This story felt like a parody/satire about a significant Bible female character combined with Greek mythology and Pirates of the Caribbean.
πππππ
6. Voices in the Air
Continuation of Song of the Mango.
πππππ
7. In the Shadow of the Typhoon Humans and Mahiwaga Cooperate for Survival
Okay, this is my favorite story in the collection thus far!! It's written in such a way that I'm completely convinced Mahiwagas really coexist with us humans in the modern world.
πππππ
8. Blushing Blue
πππππ
9. Ink: A Love Story
πππππ
10. Call of the Rimefolk
πππππ
11. A Mask for the Queen of Shards
This short story reminds me so much of William Goldman's The Princess Bride gender bent with a little more twists. I love it.
πππππ
12. Child of Two Worlds
Very adventurous and filled with elements from a lot of Philippine myths and folklore.
πππππ
13. How the Jungle Got Its Spirit Guardian
A star-crossed romance, challenging the norms of gender roles in a pre-colonial and fantastical setting.
πππππ
14. Have Your #Hugot Harvested at This Diwata-Owned CafΓ©
"Do you know why she (im*ld* m*rc*s) dolls herself up like a big-haired clown? It's because, whenever she looks in the mirror, she sees a bruja of exceeding ugliness. Everything she does, everything she buys, is in pursuit of a beauty she will never find."
What a timely piece. Given that this particular story was published back in 2020, I'm suddenly curious about how the author might have reacted to the results of the 2022 elections. I wonder what curses would Mariang Makiling inflict on our leaders of today. π€
πππππ
15. Odd and Ugly
A love story about a kapre and a diwata during the Spanish colonization. This story reminds me of Beauty and the Beast, but better.
πππππ
The author's writing voice in this whole collection reminds me of its titular, a mangoβ warm, sweet, and savory. And since mango is my favorite fruit, it's not a surprise that this book has become my favorite collection of fantasy and speculative stories. I am most definitely looking forward to reading more of her works in the future.
1. Song of the Mango
"Years before, Maragat said that the sun was a humungous, glowing fruit hanging from the sky-tree. As I lifted the dagger to study the flawless golden fruit, I could not help thinking that I had at last tasted the sun."
πππππ
2. To Megan, with Half My Heart
Half her heart, literally.
"And even though I can't feel the missing part of my heart, I love you with all of both halves. If anybody could have saved me, it would've been you."
πππππ
3. First Play For and By Tikbalang
A short story using the structure of a long-form article, its subject a play centering the story of a Tikbalang and other mythical creatures.
In a world where Philippine mythical creatures coexist with humans, the drama features an ensemble of mostly mythical creatures as casts of the play, such as a real Tikbalang, Tiyanak, etc.
Various groups of protesters are rallying outside the theatre, vocally against the casting of mythical creatures to play characters who are, in fact, mythical creatures as well.
These 'activists' believe that such a line of work should only be for humans and humans only, the production. Accepting them is 'ruining' the purpose of art and culture.
This story reminds me of whitewashing and racism. Although, I see it more as mythological creatures representing minorities who are trying to take up their space in the real world.
πππππ
4. The Museum of Incomplete Statues
"Is Anna mourning the man or is she mourning his love?"
A person made incomplete by loss and heartbreak turns into an incomplete statue in the museum herself.
πππππ
5. Chosen Mother
This story felt like a parody/satire about a significant Bible female character combined with Greek mythology and Pirates of the Caribbean.
πππππ
6. Voices in the Air
Continuation of Song of the Mango.
πππππ
7. In the Shadow of the Typhoon Humans and Mahiwaga Cooperate for Survival
Okay, this is my favorite story in the collection thus far!! It's written in such a way that I'm completely convinced Mahiwagas really coexist with us humans in the modern world.
πππππ
8. Blushing Blue
πππππ
9. Ink: A Love Story
πππππ
10. Call of the Rimefolk
πππππ
11. A Mask for the Queen of Shards
This short story reminds me so much of William Goldman's The Princess Bride gender bent with a little more twists. I love it.
πππππ
12. Child of Two Worlds
Very adventurous and filled with elements from a lot of Philippine myths and folklore.
πππππ
13. How the Jungle Got Its Spirit Guardian
A star-crossed romance, challenging the norms of gender roles in a pre-colonial and fantastical setting.
πππππ
14. Have Your #Hugot Harvested at This Diwata-Owned CafΓ©
"Do you know why she (im*ld* m*rc*s) dolls herself up like a big-haired clown? It's because, whenever she looks in the mirror, she sees a bruja of exceeding ugliness. Everything she does, everything she buys, is in pursuit of a beauty she will never find."
What a timely piece. Given that this particular story was published back in 2020, I'm suddenly curious about how the author might have reacted to the results of the 2022 elections. I wonder what curses would Mariang Makiling inflict on our leaders of today. π€
πππππ
15. Odd and Ugly
A love story about a kapre and a diwata during the Spanish colonization. This story reminds me of Beauty and the Beast, but better.
πππππ