State of War

State of War follows three young characters in the Philippines during a time of political upheaval and martial law. The story centers on Eliza Hansen, a political favor-trader, Adrian Banyaga from a powerful family, and Anna Villaverde, a torture survivor. The narrative takes place during a festival on the Island of K, where the three main characters converge. Each represents different aspects of Manila society and carries complex ancestral ties to Filipino, Malaysian, Chinese, and Caucasian heritage. Colonel Amor, a military interrogator, connects the three protagonists through his various roles as Villaverde's tormentor, Hansen's admirer, and pursuer of Banyaga's political connections. The plot involves a planned assassination attempt against a figure known as The Commander. The novel examines themes of power, resistance, and identity in Philippine society under dictatorship. Through its structure and symbolism, it presents an allegorical history of the Philippines and its diverse cultural landscape.

Readers describe this as a complex narrative weaving together multiple Filipino families' experiences under martial law. Many note it requires close attention to follow the interconnected characters and timeline jumps. Readers appreciated: - Rich portrayal of Filipino culture and traditions - Documentation of historical events through personal stories - Strong female characters and their relationships - Poetic language and metaphors Common criticisms: - Confusing structure and character relationships - Slow pacing in the first third - Cultural references that lack context for non-Filipino readers - Abrupt scene transitions Ratings: Goodreads: 4.11/5 (246 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (12 ratings) One reader noted: "The complicated family trees and political alliances mirror the complexity of Philippine society." Another mentioned: "Takes work to get through but rewards careful reading with deep insights into life under Marcos." Several reviews suggest keeping notes on characters and relationships while reading.

In the Time of Butterflies by Julia Alvarez This novel follows four sisters who resist a dictatorship in the Dominican Republic, paralleling Rosca's exploration of resistance under the Marcos regime.

Dogeaters by Jessica Hagedorn The narrative weaves through multiple perspectives of life under Ferdinand Marcos's rule in the Philippines, depicting political turbulence and social upheaval.

The Gun Dealer's Daughter by Gina Apostol A Filipino student becomes entangled in revolutionary politics during the Marcos era, examining memory and political resistance through a personal lens.

The Woman Who Had Two Navels by Nick Joaquín The book delves into Philippine society during periods of political transition, exploring themes of identity and historical memory.

When the Rainbow Goddess Wept by Cecilia Manguerra Brainard A coming-of-age story set during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines chronicles a girl's awakening to political consciousness amid war.

🔸 The author, Ninotchka Rosca, spent time in prison during Ferdinand Marcos's martial law period before seeking exile in the United States in 1977 🔸 "State of War" won the American Book Award in 1995, establishing it as a significant work of Asian American literature 🔸 The festival depicted in the novel is based on the Ati-Atihan, a real Philippine festival celebrated annually in January that honors the Santo Niño (Child Jesus) 🔸 The mysterious "Island of K" serves as an allegory for the entire Philippine archipelago, with its 7,640+ islands and complex colonial history 🔸 Rosca wrote this novel while in exile, incorporating magical realism elements similar to those used by Latin American authors like Gabriel García Márquez to critique political regimes