The Kissing: A Collection of Short Stories

by Merlinda Bobis

Fiction. Asian American Studies. Originally published in Australia under the title White Turtle, this collection of short stories by established Filipina writer Merlinda Bobis offers bold and lyrical... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1879960605
• ISBN13: 9781879960602
• Release Date: May 2001
• Publisher: Aunt Lute Books
• Length: 183 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

very unique and refreshing

Originally titled "White Turtle", "Kissing" is a collection of several short stories that are either set in the rural Philippines or Australia (with Filipino-Australian protagonists). Some criticism of / rebellion against typical Filipino-Catholic (i.e. very strict) values is evident, as are contrasts between Western life and life in the rural Philippines (particularly for women). Instead of having typical plots, Bobis' narratives focus on the characters' thoughts -- their memories, insights on their past, scenic descriptions, very detalied descriptions of food, etc. -- the writing following their stream of consciousness at times. It is very unique writing because of this. Many of the events are also strange (some completely weird such as one story which appears to be a diary of dreams), but Bobis pieces them together effectively and writes with such confidence that the end product is very entertaining and refreshing.