The Eye Of The Fish
Francia was born and raised in Manila and currently lives in New York City, where he writes for the Village Voice, Manila's Philippine Daily Inquirer, and Hong Kong's Asiaweek. He has previously published two collections of poetry and a collection of his reviews and essays. His new book is a description of his experiences in the Philippines, from his memories of childhood and adolescence to his adult experiences as a journalist. Observant and receptive to the stories of many, including freedom fighters and rice farmers, Francia presents a series of descriptions and contradictions that intrigue the reader. The narrative meanders from past to present, using Francia's experiences as the framework for exploring the Philippines. The result is intriguing and well constructed, but the topic may not have wide appeal. Recommended for larger public and academic libraries that collect materials about the Philippines. Alison Hopkins, Queens Borough P.L., Jamaica, NYCopyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.