From the Back: Johnny Manalo – a Filipino who has lived for years in the United States, sometimes illegally – returns home for a brief visit in 1984, in the lead-up to elections for the National Batasan (parliament). From his landing on the Manila tarmac where Aquino was killed, through jet-lagged reunions with family and friends, Johnny finds himself an innocent in his own country, unable to grasp the physical, moral and spiritual corruption that, from Marcos and "Madame" on down, have consumed the nation's soul.

Yes, there are some references to the situation on the Philippines of the time, but mostly it's a story about a weak character. This Johnny is unable to articulate himself and wondering, why he is pushed around by everybody. Of course, people like that exist, but it's so boring to read about them. I couldn't even feel sorry Johnny in his weakness and self-pity. I would have preferred to hear more from his father and his work, that was by far the most interesting character in the novel.

Sollte hoffentlich im Regal landen, zumindest habe ich es mit entsprechender Bitte im UpH gelassen :)

Heute in die OBCZ aufgenommen.

Das Buch stand bei der heutigen Inventur nicht mehr im Regal der OBCZ.