The parallel lives of Ilustrado
Ilustrado, the UK cover
Miguel Syjuco’s wildly entertaining “Ilustrado” was the recipient of the 2008 Man Asia Literary Prize. Such awards, as readers know, all too often go to earnest, high-minded, politically correct and rather dull books. In this case, I picture the judges, weary from perusing massive laser-printed works of heart-sinking merit, suddenly rejoicing at the discovery of a manuscript as engaging as this one, absolutely assured in its tone, literary sophistication and satirical humor. . . Read Michael Dirda’s review in the Washington Post.
HONG KONG — The story begins with the death of Crispin Salvador, an expatriate Filipino author living in New York, whose body is found floating in the Hudson River. He had been scathingly critical of his home country before his mysterious demise.
It is part of a novel, a satire of the chaos and violence of Philippine politics called “Ilustrado,” the first book by Miguel Syjuco, an expatriate Filipino author living in Montreal. . . Read An Expatriate Filipino Writes of a Parallel Life in the NYT.
Ilustrado, the US cover
Answers to questions you might be asking, unless you wandered onto this site purely by accident >>>
May 10th, 2010 at 02:26
Would it have killed them to make the typeset on this thing a bit larger? I’ve been putting off buying one of them reading glasses from the drugstore but I just might have to if I’m to get anywhere past Prologue. Is this book really worth conceding my last holdout to old age — my spectaclelessness?
May 10th, 2010 at 05:54
Reading stories about Pinoys like these gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling. I’ll grab that book the moment I see it. Congratulations, Mr. Syjuco!
May 10th, 2010 at 09:11
Mahal daw ang papel e.
May 10th, 2010 at 12:35
Kailan kaya lalabas ang Ilustrado sa aking suking tindahan? Tagal ko na ring inaantay mula nang mabasa ko sa penmanila ang pagkapanalo nito sa Man Asia.
May 10th, 2010 at 18:02
I already bought my copy at Best Sellers, The Podium. Around Php 300.