Customer Reviews

Ginseng and Other Tales from Manila

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Marianne Villanueva's book, Ginseng and Other Tales from Manila, is a fine collection of stories. She is a remarkable story teller. I am appalled that an anonymous reader should bash this book publicly and not have the guts to print his or her name. I highly recommend this book to all. Cecilia Brainard

Marianne Villanueva's "Ginseng and other Tales From Manila" is one of the finest books I've read in the past few years. She seamlessly weaves together the social, political, emotional and supernatural elements of Filipino life. She is a fine stylist, but her gifts go far beyond the quality of her prose; her understanding of the human heart, her eye and ear for the telling detail, the balance she maintains between poignancy and detachment -- all these make for an original, disturbing, fascinating book. I've since lent the book to friends; many read it from cover to cover in one sitting, and the stories -- and characters -- have lingered with us long after we closed the book. Highly recommended.

The stories in this collection have little to do with plot, character development, and astute narration. Point of view is skewed in the narratives. There are no real endings. Ginseng and Other Tales from Manila is obviously Ms Villanueva's first attempt at publishing her bland writings to the world. Let us hope her type of inspiration does not provide the intelligent reading public with a second volume of novice prose.