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BABAYLAN: AN ANTHOLOGY OF FILIPINA AND FILIPINA AMERICAN WRITERS edited by Carbo & Tabios published by Aunt Lute, paper, ISBH 1-87996--59-1 Library Journal, August 2000 v125 i13 p101 COPYRIGHT 2000 Cahners Business Information

In their variety, the fiction, poetry, and poetry in translation included in this exciting new anthology show the transitory nature of the literature of a people who live at the crossroads, on two continents. Here over 60 women writers evidence the rectitude of the Catholic Spanish past, Malay roots, and the steady, century-long revolutionary wind of American influence. As the storm of modernity oxygenates, it also mows down custom and tradition and unleashes cries against imperialism, odes to migration, and tales of struggle among social classes. Paradoxically, this savage wind also points women in the direction of freedom. The editors, both poets and editors of other collections, include an excellent summary of the literature of Filipinas and an equally good bibliography that lists literary criticism, Internet resources, and other anthologies and works of Filipino writing. Highly recommended for high schools with Filipino students and for larger public and all academic libraries.

--Rene Perez-Lopez, Norfolk P.L., VA

 

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