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”Orth captures both the beauty and cruelty she witnessed in her stellar first novel, set in the early 1980s near the end of Ferdinand Marcos's despotic reign. Doming Aquinaldo, a rebel whose father was murdered by Marcos's henchmen, is employed as a driver for a U.S. diplomat, Trace Caldwell, who supports the regime's oppressive policies. Doming eventually finds an ally (and lover) in Trace's lonely wife, Rue, who comes around to Doming's view after witnessing the everyday atrocities to which U.S. officials turn a blind eye. Orth vividly evokes the Manila of that era, from the beggars to the superstitious prophecies that substitute for hope, with such sensory details as the sound of a ripe mango hitting the ground and the bitter tang of rice wine vinegar on a piece of tanguigi (e.g., a whitefish). A judicious peppering of Tagalog lends further authenticity.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review
“This impressive first novel captures the dignity of those who were long oppressed but never cowed.” —Booklist
“The suffering of the Filipino people under the tyrannical Marcos regime is the setting for an impossible love affair in this earnest, elegant, graceful debut.” —Kirkus
“Baby Jesus Pawn Shop by Lucia Orth is a tale of politics, conscience, betrayal and bravery. It is raw and real and incredibly thought-provoking. In a world that allows for us to stick our heads in the sand in regard to international politics, this book makes the reader realize that ignorance is not always bliss.” – Reader Views
Price: $29.00
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