Cecilia Manguerra Brainard

This is a very good book that should be better known, I think. It's a coming of age story told through the eyes of a 9-year old girl growing up in the Philippines whose life is shattered by the onset of WW Two and the Japanese invasion of the country. Her family literally heads for the hills so that her father, an American-educated engineer sure to be targeted by the invaders, can join and help lead the guerrilla resistance forces. Mixed into this tale (and the story does not spare the show more horrors of war) are many Filipino folk tales, as told to the narrator (and then recounted by her) by the family's old retainer, who learned them at the feet of an old folk master.

The novel relates the ways in which the narrator relies upon these old tales of her people's past to retain her sanity and her hope for the future through sadness, horror and death. This is a beautifully told tale. show less

When the Rainbow Goddess Wept by Cecilia Manguerra Brainard is the story of a Filipino family during the invasion of their country by the Japanese during World War II. The story is narrated by Yvonne, a lively nine year old in 1940, happily living in her family compound. Her father is an American trained engineer and is very valuable to the guerrilla movement and is often called away on mysterious errands. She and her mother, along with a few of the household servants move ever deeper into show more the jungle, fleeing from the Japanese, but never forgetting the loved ones that they leave behind.

This lively young girl is witness to a number of horrific events. She sees her mother’s health slipping away and lives through the fear of having her father fall into the hands of the Japanese. She is enriched by the Philippine folktales that are passed on to her through the family cook.

When The Rainbow Goddess Wept deals with the psychological damage that war wreaks through the events that happen within this small family. Yvonne refuses to give up hope and learns how to cope with the uncertainties that come their way. With this young girl, the author has created a sensitive and intelligent recorder, one who sees what is happening and, even though she doesn’t always understand, is able to paint a vivid picture of endurance and survival. This is an excellent story that highlights how war can bring out both the best and worst in people show less

I really loved Angelica's story especially her letter and diary accounts. I would have loved to read her story and to know Teban's whereabouts (;p). It was a really easy read with recipes for those who love to cook. Even if it was a "dugtungan" novel it was really coherent but you'll see the different writing styles of the authors which is why I don't like certain chapters.

However, i felt that the story was rushed. Tess' moving on, Tess' finding a new love, Dina's moving on, Tess and Paolo show more looking for the church all happened too fast. Here is a novel where time does not heal wounds because they didn't even have time for healing. Everything here is instant. The writing tells you what happens and does not get convey emotion too well. I felt like an outsider because the authors failed to effectively convey the character's feelings.

The family was also too centered on Angelica. Every conversation revolves around her or even if it doesn't her name would eventually pop out of the conversation. Everything happens because of her, everything is compared to her life. They say that she's only a woman but it seems that their life revolves around her. She's long dead, I want to tell them to live their own life.

I just wished that the authors has scraped the whole thing and focused on Angelica's life. I would love to see more of that. Bitin na bitin ako sa kwento ni Angelica. A prequel maybe? :) show less

First published in 2002 and currently published in the Philippines (UST Publishing House), this 2021 US Edition of the novel MAGDALENA includes illustrations by the author, Cecilia Manguerra Brainard.

Written in the fragmented style, Philippine American author Cecilia Manguerra Brainard's lyrical novel, MAGDALENA, tells the story of three generations of Filipino women whose lives have been affected by the Philippine American War, World War Two, and the Vietnam War. A favorite among poets, show more academics, and feminists, the book has been the subject of academic papers by Drs. John Jack Wigley, Rhodora G. Magan, and Ruth S. Rimando, among others.

Alma Anonas-Carpio reviewed the book for The Philippines Graphic as follows: "The story of Magdalena’s life is a rich one, full of emotional intensity told with the brilliant clarity of Manguerra Brainard’s pen ... Rarely have I read such exquisite command of storytelling as I see in the pages of this novel. Here she uses the backdrop of a Japanese-occupied Philippines to maximum effect, devastating the reader’s emotions without giving any quarter nor taking any prisoners. You die inside and come to life again when the feelings of hope hit you—and they will ... Read MAGDALENA to see how the strength and beauty of these women spanned three generations, defeating even death. No, not even death can save you from the intense and iridescent beauty of Manguerra Brainard's mastery of her craft." show less