OK, I admit that I picked up
novel partly because of the cool cover design. (Call me shallow.) But I was also compelled by a Magellan-like quest to read authors from all corners of the world, so this Man Asian Literary Prize winner was a natural. Here's the 60-second review:
Summary: A young Filipino writer, confronted by the apparent suicide of his mentor, searches for the rumored masterwork that has been left behind.
Review: Syjuco has crafted a story within a story, within a story. He speaks to the reader with several different voices, and solving the mystery of the masterwork -- and of the sometimes conflicting perspectives is part of the fun. Syjuco also layers the story with interesting touches of the history and culture of the Phillipines, and his ear for humor and conversation quickens the pace.
Read this if: You're interested in a complex story, well-told.
Skip this if: You're looking for na simple, beach read.