But I know that someday I will have to confront my country by going home. By then, I hope to be armed with a great deal of understanding of myself and my past. Reading Group Questions and Topics for Discussion 1. Gringo's family lived during Martial Law, one of the most repressive eras in Philippine history. The novel offers an intense look at family life in the Philippines prior to immigration to the United States.
Many chapters begin and end with images of the changing weather.
Ninang Rola mentioned the United States when she was telling Gringo about the women's liberation in the Philippines. Sexuality and identity are important themes of the book. The novel deals extensively with the adverse effect of homophobia on its young characters. Names tell much about a family's history. Share the origins of your family name and stories behind it.