The Eye of the Fish

March 1, 2001
Francia was born and raised in Manila and currently lives in New York City, where he writes for the Village Voice, Manila's Philippine Daily Inquirer, and Hong Kong's Asiaweek. He has previously published two collections of poetry and a collection of his reviews and essays. His new book is a description of his experiences in the Philippines, from his memories of childhood and adolescence to his adult experiences as a journalist. Observant and receptive to the stories of many, including freedom fighters and rice farmers, Francia presents a series of descriptions and contradictions that intrigue the reader. The narrative meanders from past to present, using Francia's experiences as the framework for exploring the Philippines. The result is intriguing and well constructed, but the topic may not have wide appeal. Recommended for larger public and academic libraries that collect materials about the Philippines. Alison Hopkins, Queens Borough P.L., Jamaica, NY

Copyright 2001 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2001
Poet, essayist, and anthologist Francia teaches Asian American literature at Sarah Lawrence College. Here, he provides a portrait of his Philippine homeland: a mosaic composed of childhood memories, historical fragments, and stories gleaned during many trips home. The Philippines is composed of more than 7,000 islands; most Americans (even veterans of the Pacific campaigns of World War II) can name only a few. Yet the U.S. controlled the archipelago, directly or indirectly, for much of the twentieth century, and Spain held it for centuries before that (and established Catholicism as its dominant religion). This long colonial history is a key element of the Philippines today, not least in the hybrid culture (and hybrid lineage) of many of the country's multiethnic citizens. Francia explores the complexity of the Philippines, from Muslim freedom fighters' mountain hideaways in the south to the isolated Batones islands in the north. This unconventional travel book would be wonderful preparation for a visit to the Philippines or for involvement with the many Philippine natives who now live in the U.S. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2001, American Library Association.)