A journalist investigates strange stories in the once-sleepy town of Mapayapa. Like Fox Mulder, he has a personal issue to settle.
Awkward sentence construction. Overuse of analogies. Abuse of the modernization-as-a-world-evil theme. Weak characterization.
As a novel (or novella) Takod, for me, is an epic fail. As a horror story, the kind I look forward to from midnight gettogethers, where only storytelling really matters, it works.
The idea that more than human evil haunts the world creeps me out.
In a country where a convicted plunderer almost becomes president again, a pardoned pedophile produces a party list advertisement in which he is surrounded by children pleading for help, and a senatorial lineup has excellent face-value and star power but little else, can we afford more than human stupidity to muck things up further?
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blooey
June 4, 2010
Haven’t seen this yet, but I don’t think I’ll get it after reading your review. But you should tellthe story when we see each other next!
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artseblis
June 4, 2010
Hi, Blooey. I can tell it in 10 seconds flat. You can read this in 10 minutes, I think. And it’s good enough for a late-night story for some goosebumps. I think this story deserves another medium, like a graphic novel. I would appreciate it more if I had encountered it that way. By the way, I miss you. I hope to free up my time and concentration soon for something other than work.
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Johanna
June 14, 2010
Oh what a waste! When I saw the great cover I thought, “Finally, a local novel that looks really promising.” But after reading your review, it’s off my list. Thanks for saving me from a disappointing purchase.
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artseblis
June 15, 2010
hi, johanna. based on this book i think the author is better as a storyteller than a novelist. kids would probably be able to appreciate the rather raw storyline… maybe the problem was with me: i’m just not young enough anymore.
still, the book is only 100+ pesos and very thin. you will need only half an hour to finish reading. maybe your opinion of it will be different than mine.
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paige
July 13, 2010
My sister told me about this since she knew im a sucker of paranormal novels. said i should try it since hontiveros won some award or something.
After reading it, i told my sister the horror stories she wrote in our school paper before was better.
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artseblis
July 13, 2010
Hi, Paige! Thanks for dropping by. Maybe Hontiveros’s short stories are better?
I’d love to read your sister’s work. 😛
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paige
July 18, 2010
i have been trying to encourage her to put it on a website or atleast make a blog where she can showcase her writing talent but she isnt just into it as before ^^j i’v written a couple of stories myself but unfortunately my reviews says its an english teacher nightmare… lol yah i suck in grammar and sometimes spelling check aint helping.. ^^j but my sister.. i can say she’s good she won awards for it in her school days if only i can think of something to encourage her to go public about it.
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artseblis
July 19, 2010
hi, i think you just need a beta, who will proofread and edit your work. what’s really important is that you write and seek feedback on your work so you can improve it.
maybe your sister does not need to go public, she can use a pen name.
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