The review also applauded the book's linguistic merit and Mr. Morante's aim to "show more of Cebuano Bisaya’s increasing hybridization with other languages in Mindanao." It added: "With Tagalog, English, and Hiligaynon mixing with Monuvu, Blaan, Subanen, and Dulangan in the Cebuano narrative, this collection’s medium is, to date, the closest any book has come to what Mindanao actually sounds like."
Although most stories were criticized for their narrative structure, the review pointed out the rich volume of historical and ethnographic material that is present in these stories and advised that future writers of this fresh genre must consciously balance the two.
But the most noteworthy praises are in Part 2:
"[This book] is a triumph of Settler Fiction, because few Settler stories ever portray the Lumad with the same level of respect, admiration, and empathy as much as these stories do. In these stories, you see most of all that the Lumad are people, with very human struggles that any reader can relate to."
And another at the end of the review:
"[...] in a time when we are dealing with many deaths and are compelled to stay at home to read and reflect, literature that is lived – like these works of Historical Injustice Fiction – becomes more relevant. Because when you talk about historical injustice, you cannot help but usher in the coming of healing."
Aletheia Publishing would like to thank Mindanao Times particularly the reviewer, Mr. Karlo Antonio David, for his upfront and insightful criticism of Melchor M. Morante's book. To read the complete review, click Part 1 and Part 2.
To order the book, please fill up this form.