When the Rainbow Goddess Wept

by Cecilia Manguerra Brainard

Overview

WHEN THE RAINBOW GODDESS WEPT is Cecilia Manguerra Brainard's acclaimed first novel about the coming of age of a young girl in the Philippines during World War Two. First published in the Philippines as Song of Yvonne, it was picked up by Dutton/Penguin and by Bilge Kultur Sanat in Turkey. This novel is currently published by the University of Michigan Press and the University of Santo Tomas Publishing House (Philippine edition). The novel was inspired by Brainard's parents who had to live as guerrilleros in hinterlands of Mindanao during World War Two.
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Los Angeles Times praised the work saying, "Stories of war are perhaps most compelling when told through the eyes of children, whose innocence is always so tragically incongruous to the adult madness that rages around them. When the Rainbow Goddess Wept, a first novel by Cecilia Manguerra Brainard that chronicles the Japanese invasion of the Philippines during World War II, is no exception."
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Publisher's Weekly said, "The strengthening of the national spirit; the loss of innocence in two generations — these themes are explored by the author, who was born in the Philippines, with persuasive conviction and stark realism."
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Kirkus Reviews said, "Interweaves realistic events with myths of women fighters and goddesses, as well as fantastic dreams … Brainard's appealing characters are larger than life, people who change before our eyes, yet remain utterly convincing … A fast-paced, sensitively written first novel."
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Associated Press said, "Brainard's wonderful novel shows how war brings out the best and the worst in people as it describes both the atrocities and the heroics that befall her characters." Booklist praises the book saying, "Enchanting throughout, this novel will mesmerize the reader right up until its victorious ending."
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Cecilia Manguerra Brainard is the author and editor of over twenty books, including two other novels: MAGDALENA and THE NEWSPAPER WIDOW.  She also edited books, including the popular young adults books, GROWING UP FILIPINO: STORIES FOR YOUNG ADULTS and the follow up books GROWING UP FILIPINO 2 and 3.  Brainard's literary endeavors is considered a significant contribution to Filipino, Philippine American, as well as Asian American literature.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940166447708
Publisher:	PALH
Publication date:	12/12/2022
Sold by:	Draft2Digital
Format:	eBook
File size:	421 KB

About the Author

Cecilia Manguerra Brainard was born in Cebu City, Philippines. Her published works include Woman with Horns and Other Stories and Philippine Woman in America. She is also the editor of the anthology Fiction by Filipinos in America and teaches creative writing at the Writers' Program of UCLA Extension.

Editorial Reviews

Yvonne Macaraig is an exuberant and mischievous nine-year-old when the Japanese invade her Philippine homeland in 1941, and so she begins her grim story of endurance and survival with a spirit of adventure and optimism. Her father, Nando, an American-trained engineer who's invaluable to the guerrilla movement, is often called away as Yvonne, her mother and a small family entourage flee toward presumed safety ever deeper in the jungle. Yvonne witnesses scenes of incredible carnage and silently notes the slow decline in her mother's health, but her spirits are buoyed by the Philippine folktales narrated to her by the family cook. These myths and legends, violent and colorful, extol the gallantry of ancient warrior kings or show the triumph of love and valor over subjugation. In simple yet deeply moving prose, Brainard's first novel presents similar acts of monumental courage: a doctor's sacrifice in the jungle; quiet defiance against terrorist threats. Gradually, Nando and his companions become aware that the U.S. is capable of betraying them-and that Philippine independence is a necessity. The strengthening of the national spirit; the loss of innocence in two generations-these themes are explored by the author, who was born in the Philippines, with persuasive conviction and stark realism. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Pedestrian and simplistic writing dulls the impact of this potentially moving autobiographical first novel, set during Japanese occupation of the Philippines (1941-44). Nine-year-old Yvonne, whose father has joined the resistance movement, tells the story of her family's flight from their upper-class home in Udec to a guerrilla camp in the jungles. Unfortunately, Yvonne's voice fluctuates between that of a younger and that of a much older narrator. In addition, Brainard's characters are not well rounded, so it's hard to become involved in the horrors of Japanese violence and butchery that are visited upon them. The best parts of the novel are the Filipino myths and legends woven into the historical account of a part of World War II that is generally unfamiliar to American readers. Libraries with large Asian fiction collections may want to purchase.-Nancy Pearl, Washington Ctr. for the Book, Seattle

Library Journal

Yvonne Macairag is a nine-year-old living in the Philippines during World War II. She plays contentedly with her cousin, Esperanza, and spends quiet evenings on the veranda with her grandfather. Her family life is idyllic. All of this is lost when the Japanese invade the Philippines. Yvonne flees to the jungle, where her father joins the resistance movement, the guerilleros. Life is hard in the jungle, and Yvonne is often exposed to the atrocities perpetrated by the Japanese soldiers. As the child encounters scenes of wartime horror, she remembers and recites the epic stories of her ancestors. She uses the ancient fables to bolster her courage and to help herself cope with the horrors of the war. Overwhelmed by the superior Japanese firepower, the guerilleros hope the American soldiers will arrive and assist in expelling the Japanese. The American soldiers eventually do, but not before the guerilleros realize that ultimately Filipinos are responsible for the destiny of the Philippines. Like the epic legends, this story tells the tale of the essential courage and wisdom of the Filipinos. A beautifully written novel in which the words flow smoothly across the pages, weaving a story that is half lyrical myth and half brutal reality. Enchanting throughout, this novel will mesmerize the reader right up until its victorious ending.

Kathleen Hughes