Customer Reviews

Ghosts of Manila

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I am from Manila, but I am young. I did not go through this period of Manila, which was literally on the brink of anarchy. This story is set during the latter years of Marcos, and those were rather scary years. Goverment policies weren't getting anything done. People were miserable, and the government was under heavy criticism. When my mom tells me about it now, it is so unbelievable.

Manila is such a different city now. In the book, it was terrifying. People were getting killed left and right, and it was the work of the government, so no one could do anything. Kids of prominent dissidents were kidnapped and tortured. Women were raped. It was not a good time to be living in Manila.

Much credit must be given to James Hamilton Paterson, who has managed to portray a city so haunting and scary, it scared even me, a true blue Filipino, residing in Manila. I might know the streets and places in this book, but I am sure glad I did not live through these horrible events. If Manila's walls could talk, they would probably tell this story.

As a resident of Manila since birth, I applaud James Hamilton-Paterson's excellent work. I hesitate to call it fiction since the events he says are mostly ripped from the newspapers. For an outsider, Paterson's backstories and subplots may sound too fantastic. But it is all too real. He didn't need to push his imagination on the events described on this book. Just observe the city and a lot of magical-realist stories will come to you. His weaving together seemingly unrelated events is his true talent. Yes, the Manila described here is unflattering but it is the only city with a character all its own.