The Mango Bride Is Both Sweet and Tart
/Book Review
Marivi Soliven's "The Mango Bride"
The novel is an easy read, with Filipino phrases lending authenticity and “naturalness” to the flow of Soliven’s prose. There is mystery (why did Marcela stab the Señora?), suspense (what will happen to Beverly?), tragedy (the death of Clara), horror (as the fantasy Cinderella love story of Beverly turns out to be a tale of violence), and politics (veterans’ issues)–something for every reader’s taste.
“‘The Mango Bride’ is less about the love stories of its characters, than it is about the complex relationships among women.”
Then there are bit and pieces here and there that remind one of familiar stories: death by the railroad tracks; illicit lovers in a car crash; a maid impregnated by the senyora’s son (a familiar trope reflective of the feudal system in the Philippines); and even barbecue at the Beachhouse restaurant (miles and miles away from a beach) at the University of the Philippines campus.
Above all, the novel follows the conventions of romance–forbidden love, reversal of fortune, separation of lovers and a secret revealed at the end. Yet, reminiscent of 1920s fictionist Magdalena Jalandoni’s works that go beyond the limitations of romance, "The Mango Bride" is less about the love stories of its characters, than it is about the complex relationships among women–mistress and servant; migrant women helping migrant women; mothers and daughters; competitive best friends; and estranged cousins bound by the challenges of survival in the site of migration.
"The Mango Bride" author Marivi Soliven
It is also in the interruptions in the text, made through phone calls answered by Amparo, and where we hear calls of distress, and the comforting, reassuring voice in the native Filipino/Tagalog that the novel comes most alive. Like the telephone ring that disturbs silence, or calls us away from work or sleep, the telephone conversations between Amparo and other Filipinos/Filipinas remind us of everyday struggles of migrant workers and immigrants.
Bravo, Marivi Soliven, for using a well-loved metaphor, the mango, and employing popular storytelling strategies in articulating women’s issues–the mail-order bride phenomenon, violence against women and divisions in class and race that contribute further to women’s oppression.
Like the mango that is sweetest in May, "The Mango Bride" is a summer must-read for everyone.
Joi Barrios-Leblanc teaches Filipino and Philippine literature at UC Berkeley. She is the author of seven books, including the poetry collection, "To Be a Woman is to Live at a Time of War" and holds a Ph.D. in Filipino (Literature).
Marivi Soliven will be launching "The Mango Bride" at the following venues:
LOS ANGELES
Saturday, May 4, 2013 5:00 p.m. Skylight Bookstore
1818 N Vermont Avenue, CA 90027
http://www.skylightbooks.com
SAN FRANCISCO
Thursday, May 9, 2013 6:00 p.m. I-Hotel
868 Kearny Street @ Jackson Street
San Francisco CA 94108 | 415-399-9580
http://manilatown.org/index.php
PORTLAND
Wednesday, May 22, 2013 7-8p.m. Leftbank Building
240 N Broadway Ave., 2nd floor lobby
Portland, OR 97227
SEATTLE
Thursday, May 23, 5 p.m.
Ethnic Cultural Center
University of Washington
3931 Brooklyn Ave. NE
Seattle WA 98115
Friday, May 24, 7:00 p.m.
Elliott Bay Book Company
1521 Tenth Avenue
Seattle WA 98122
http://www.elliottbaybook.com
WASHINGTON D.C.
Thursday, June 27, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Romulo Hall
Embassy of the Philippines
Romulo Hall
1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20036
SAN FRANCISCO
October 19-21
Fil Am Book Festival
For more information:
http://marivisoliven.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Marivi-Soliven/365137360245095