Customer Reviews

The Last Time I Saw Mother

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"A remarkable first novel filled with family secrets and the intersection of personal and world histories, told through four mesmerizing voices." -- Amy Tan

Amy Tan summed it up perfectly. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it brought out my Filipina pride. I first learned about this book from a small commentary in one of the fashion magazines and bought it to read on my trip in Egypt. Okay, 5 years later I finally finish it!

Before the family secret was revealed, I had a very strong inclination of what the secret was that brought Caridad back to the Philippines. Fortunately, that wasn't the main focus of the book. The focus was on the relationships between these four women (sisters, aunts, cousins, daughters). Where Amy Tan focuses on the relationship between mothers and daughters, Arlene Chai emphasizes the extended family ties that Filipinos are known for.

Chai did a wonderful job of writing in 4 distinct voices...you can really hear the difference, while at the same time there is some similarity in they way they told their stories re-enforcing that these women are bonded to one another.

I also enjoyed the interweaving of the historical events into the personal lives of each character...it provided a mini-Filipino history, painfully reminded me of the stories my Lola (grandmother) shared with me about her experiences with WWII as well as flashbacked to the moment in time when I heard that Aquino was assassinated.

I also dig seeing Filipino words in a novel meant for pleasure and Chai explained the context of each Filipino word in away that wasn't simply a definition/translation. From the way she used the words, non-Tagalog speaking folks could guess what it meant.

The ending of the book was pleasantly touching, which was very refreshing because most of the other books that I recently finished left me with a blah feeling at the end.

Finally, I discovered an awesome quote in the book that fellow booklovers might appreciate. It's a statement that one of the characters in the book says in describing why he loved to read and how he read: "Much effort went into writing this... so one must do justice to the writer and read it carefully. Every word has a place in these pages. There is a reason why they are there."

This novel contains everything that a good novel should. It has pain and happiness, action and drama. The book also helps you to see life up-close. The suffering of the Japanese War and what it did to the country of Manila. How people did desperate things in desperate times. After you read this book, you feel so lucky to live in America in the 19th century. The story tells of the lives of four women who each shed new truth into the life of Caridad. She finally learns who see is just in time to see her mother leave her. I gave this novel 4 stars.

The book "The Last Time I Say Mother" is one of the best books I read in recent months. In this story, telling the truth seems to threaten the relationships of three keepers of truth. The interesting story keeps the reader wanting to finish the book in one sitting to be able to find out the identities of the keepers of truth and also to be able to find the truth. The only letter that Caridad of Australia received, in her entire life, from Thelma of the Philippines, generated so many questions that can only be answered by going home to the Philippines. I think this book is more or less similar to "The Face On The Milk Carton", a heartwarming fiction novel that gives us a credible view of the faces that appear on milk cartons, newspapers, or some postal offices. Both stories are seeking for the truth before making any judgment on someone especially if the people involved are the people who gave you everything that you want in life. But if you like to learn about other cultures, like the Filipino culture, you must read "The Last Time I Saw Mother" by Arlene J. Chai.

At least now I know that a lot of the stories my mom told me could actually be true! Something's can seem so far fetched...but Chai's story...it could have been an autobiography for any Filipino woman. This is a novel that you must read (especially if you're a Filipino, but I'm not limiting this review to)

This novel gives an honest account of mother daughter relationships and childhood memories.While it also gives readers an insight into the history of the Philippines.

Everything in this book is so diverse and well described. A great change to exprience a mix of different cultures, and to know what was going on in Manila during the Japanese Occupation.

The story emphasizes the importance of truth and how freeing it is for all the people involved to have the opportunity to finally speak their truth. The story is multi-layered and told from four different perspectives. Each perspective enriches the others thereby giving the whole further substance. Consequently, it allows the protagonist the courage to continue in truth to overcome the chaos of her present day life.

The characters remained true throughout the story. The author gave an excellent insight into the customs of the several countries involved, and it left me with the feeling that any trials can be overcome and that, above all, family is important

Arlene Chai beautifully shows how the Philippines was during war, and still manages to connect the original story. Beautiful. :)

I want to say that I found the book brilliant. I am very nationalistic, but I have never appreciated the works of contemporary Filipino authors-that is, until now. It gave people a clear picture of what being Filipino was and is like. Of course, some things have changed, but her work is still a clear reflection of the Pinoy life. It also revealed how much our history still means to us today-how much value our freedom and independence is to us as shown in the accounts of the Japanese Occupation and the EDSA Revolt. May dating pa rin ang Pinoy, and it certainly shows in this book.