A Child of Sorrow
A CHILD OF SORROW
By: Zoilo Galang
It is such a very wonderful love story that tickles your bones and tells you that it is a nice feeling to be in love. Though, its title suggests its tragic ending, but still I on my part like the simple yet elegant story crafted in this novel by Zoilo Galang. Considering the fact that this is the first Filipino novel written in English, it follows suit that it lacks sophistication. The characterization, plot and setting of the said novel are simple. However, behind this simplicity, it is still a good try and a nice start for the future of novels being the youngest literary genre in the Philippines.
The story is very well sequenced. It refrains the use of flashbacks as possible in order to avoid baffling the minds of the readers. Thus, somewhere in the part of the novel, we could somehow surmise and predict the flow of events, which is very typical to a Filipino author. Each chapter has its own theme developed and united in one thought.
With regards to characterization, Galang made it by having memorable characters as Rosa and Julio. They are very ordinary characters but their love story is unique. I could somehow identify myself with Julio. Like him, I am living in illusion with reading too many books. Sometimes I detached from reality as I try to imagine things which are very fiction in nature.
The story of the novel revolves around love as its theme. Love is such a very powerful feeling that could not be prevented by anything else. But inasmuch as love is a feeling, it also demands sacrifice. True love is tested by trials that come along in a relationship. It may come in the form of a third part, rumors and etc. Our cherished lovers in the novel also encountered such things. It is also stressed that inspiration brings change. When we are inspired brought about by being in love, we could have the zest to do things better and could change for the best that we can be. Failures in life must not be considered curses. Failures
By: Zoilo Galang
It is such a very wonderful love story that tickles your bones and tells you that it is a nice feeling to be in love. Though, its title suggests its tragic ending, but still I on my part like the simple yet elegant story crafted in this novel by Zoilo Galang. Considering the fact that this is the first Filipino novel written in English, it follows suit that it lacks sophistication. The characterization, plot and setting of the said novel are simple. However, behind this simplicity, it is still a good try and a nice start for the future of novels being the youngest literary genre in the Philippines.
The story is very well sequenced. It refrains the use of flashbacks as possible in order to avoid baffling the minds of the readers. Thus, somewhere in the part of the novel, we could somehow surmise and predict the flow of events, which is very typical to a Filipino author. Each chapter has its own theme developed and united in one thought.
With regards to characterization, Galang made it by having memorable characters as Rosa and Julio. They are very ordinary characters but their love story is unique. I could somehow identify myself with Julio. Like him, I am living in illusion with reading too many books. Sometimes I detached from reality as I try to imagine things which are very fiction in nature.
The story of the novel revolves around love as its theme. Love is such a very powerful feeling that could not be prevented by anything else. But inasmuch as love is a feeling, it also demands sacrifice. True love is tested by trials that come along in a relationship. It may come in the form of a third part, rumors and etc. Our cherished lovers in the novel also encountered such things. It is also stressed that inspiration brings change. When we are inspired brought about by being in love, we could have the zest to do things better and could change for the best that we can be. Failures in life must not be considered curses. Failures