Random House Books for Young Readers The on Calle Sombra - A parable

This is a very good book. Well written. Savour each word, lose yourself in the story & the characters. Strong “House of the Spirits” vibe meets Philippine politics. Relevant to today's political climate but also a beautiful story that was hard to put down.

Ok I might be biased because I know the author, but this book was incredible, and I'm so proud to call her a friend :) It took me a few chapters to fall into the flow of the writing and chapters, but once I got into it there was no turning back. Everything in this book has such a rich, detailed quality that makes the experience just feel so real and immersive: A variety of intriguing and complex characters, a historical timeline that reveals so much about postwar Philippines, a beautiful setting that mirrors the rise and fall of the family drama. I felt like I became a member of the book's Castillo family and became deeply involved in their lives, successes, and failures. In a nutshell, this story follows the family as they evolve from struggling after WW2 to expanding their family and changing with the political times. But each element in that nutshell is a fascinating study of people and how they respond to hardships, set in a turbulent period of history where the rules seem to be changing constantly. It's a family saga that will leave you cheering and crying alongside them. Marga, when can we expect a sequel?!

Absolutely enjoyed this book. I couldn't put it down. So many books are formulaic in their plot or the way they're written, Calle Sombra had a style all its own. I loved the short, pithy descriptions. It was an intimate, bitting and absorbing tour de force. The book tells the story of a Spanish-Filipino family and serves as an allegory, holding up a mirror to the society, nation, and history they live in. Think Isabel Allende for the Philippines. Or Junot Díaz's "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao," in the way past, present and history are woven together. Calle Sombra is worth the read. Plus, the colorful cover makes it a good gift.

This book was released at a critical time for Filipinos who are electing a president in May. Still living through much of the post-WW2 history ( past and present) which Marga cleverly alludes to in her book. This book was hard to put down.

I really enjoyed getting know all the characters of this book . Some of who reminded me of people I actually know. Took me two days to read the whole thing. Looking forward to the next one.