For my money this book is a strong contender for the great Philippine novel. During my stay in college, I got the impression that the work traditionally feted as the great Philippine novel is A Woman with Two Navels . Don't you believe it. Empire and Woman topically share the shame theme of identity and searching. The title alone of Woman implies two mothers, or at least, two sources of nourishment for an infant. Personally though I found Woman to be staid, and well, boring. (This is not to knock Nick Joaquin, I like some of his short stories, particularly May Day Eve.) Empire on the other hand is alive; it's opening chapter after all details how Filipinos chased the Beatles out of the country! Pop, love, treachery, rebellion, fantasies, hip, remorse. If for nothing else Empire captures perfectly what a crazy country the Philippines is, an exasperating, befuddled country of forgetful romantics. ( )

A wonderfully rich novel, this covers Philippine current history with a deft hand and a strong sense of humor. Magical realism in the Southeast Asian context with jabs at Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos, Eric Gamalinda weaves in history with fantasy. The scene where Imelda Marcos had the Beatles beaten up on their way to the airport was both hilarious and true - she felt insulted when they refused to do a command performance in Malacanang Palace during martial law so her henchmen attacked them! This is one of the best works of contemporary Philippine literature. Highly recommended! ( )