Insurrecto

I would say this book is about perspectives. The two women are tryiing to tell the same historical event through their own perspectives. Chiara, the director, tries to tell the story of a tragedy that so happens in Magsalin's country and they met at a clash on how to tell these events. Understandably, Magsalin is “territorial” about her own country's history being interpreted by a foreigner. She especially side-eyes Chiara's self insertion by including a white woman in her retelling of events. But at the same time, does the same thing. Both are trying to tell their personal stories using real life events and in the end I could not blame either for their flaws.

The story could get confusing as it tries to follow different plotlines that you end up wondering which ones are fact and which ones are part of the fiction. (I did try to fact check some of these). I guess, in the end, it just means we can't fully tell other people's stories but we can at least be honest to tell our own.

Oh man! Keeps you on your toes! This is like a metafiction take on dueling screen plays. I should read more from the Philippines, I think the only other thing I've read that's even set in the Philippines is Cryptonomicon and the history of the place!

A good read, but don't expect a straightforward, simple narrative :)