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Title: When the Elephants Dance by Tess Uriza Holthe ISBN: 0-14-200288-7 Publisher: Penguin Books Pub. Date: 24 June, 2003 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.25 (36 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Difficult, but satisfying, book
Comment: I found this book difficult to read because of the historical accuracy of the story. The writing was incredibly vivid, often causing the disturbing images to literally come to life and spring off the pages. None the less, the writing's intense and accurate retelling of the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in World War II, was well served by this vivid and detailed style of writing. Within the book are woven first person narratives from different characters - each telling the current circumstances of war through their own eyes, and giving a bit of their personal history as well. Uriza Holthe imbues this personal history with realism, retelling actual Filipino folk tales and archetypal lore. The books ending is tragic but realistic and expected; the author braces the reader, throughout the book, to take the difficult and non-storybook ending. 'When Elephants Dance' is a worthwhile and ultimately, satisfying book.
Rating: 3
Summary: Ultimately falters, despite some good things in it.
Comment: We read "When the Elephants Dance" for my book club. It is not the type of book I would normally read, and if I hadn't felt an obligation to finish it, I probably wouldn't have.
In the book's publicity blurbs, the author is compared to Isabel Allende and Amy Tan, which is meant(we assume)as a compliment, but could just as well reference the fact that all three tend to be long winded and self-indulgent. The author states at the beginning that the novel is inspired by her family history. Unfortunately, she seems bent on including every meaty story she has ever heard, even when a more careful selection might have brought about better results. She had me until about page 250, when I found myself anticipating, and dreading, the fifth or sixth shift in the narrative from present time events to allegorical past events, told by an endless stream of poorly developed characters.
By the end, this book was just too labored and long winded to carry my interest. There were at least a half dozen characters too many, and several parts that could have been left out. It is one of those rare books that may actually fare better as a movie, when trimming some of the extra fat will be necessary. Not only will I not read this author again, reading "When the Elephants Dance" has reminded me to avoid Allende and Tan as well.
Rating: 5
Summary: must read
Comment: Ms. Holthe's does a wonderful job making each narration come alive within the reader's imagination. This is a must read. She covers a wide spectrum of Filipino history and traditions, in a well written manner. I've suggested this books to others and they too agree, it's one of a kind.
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Title: When the Rainbow Goddess Wept (An Ann Arbor Paperback) by Cecilia Manguerra Brainard ISBN: 0472086375 Publisher: University of Michigan Press Pub. Date: 01 December, 1999 List Price(USD): $17.95 |
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Title: Ginseng and Other Tales from Manila by Marianne Villanueva ISBN: 0934971196 Publisher: Calyx Books Pub. Date: 01 December, 1991 List Price(USD): $9.95 |
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Title: Magdalena by Cecilia Manguerra Brainard ISBN: 1891386298 Publisher: Plain View Press Pub. Date: July, 2002 List Price(USD): $15.95 |
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Title: Dusk: A Novel (Modern Library (Paperback)) by F. Sionil Jose ISBN: 0375751440 Publisher: Modern Library Pub. Date: 01 May, 1998 List Price(USD): $19.00 |
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Title: The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini ISBN: 1573222453 Publisher: Riverhead Books Pub. Date: 29 May, 2003 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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