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The Betrayed: A Novel
Set in a time of dictatorship and political upheaval, The Betrayed tells the story of two sisters who love the same man. Their passion threatens to lead them to betray not only each other, but all that their father stood for. Shy, idealistic Pilar initially resolves to carry on her father's fight against the dictator, while her flamboyant older sister Lali reacts by marrying the enemy--Arturo, the dictator's godson. Each tries to find their place in this violent world, but can they withstand the corruption of politics and the relentless pull of their own desires? What price must one pay for passion?
400 pages, Paperback
Published October 31, 2018
About the author
Reine Arcache Melvin
3 books10 followersReine Arcache Melvin is a Filipina-American author whose works focus on the Philippines and the lives of Filipino both at home and abroad.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
December 17, 2022
“The deepest physical law is to love, a psychic had told her. But there was another law, deeper and more insidious, and that was to survive.”
The Betrayed, set at the end of the Marcos dictatorship in the 1980s, is a book about survival and the lengths we go to ensure that we are safe. It is also about love – imperfect love, unrequited love, unintentional love, and misunderstood love.
In the midst of a tumultuous time of upheaval (Marcos is on his way out and Cory Aquino is on the rise, although neither name is mentioned), an aging dissident who sought refuge in San Francisco with his wife and two daughters is gunned down. For reasons that vacillate between love and survival, the stunning older daughter, Lali, marries the dictator’s handsome and well-bred son, Arturo, who becomes the family’s ticket to return in safety to Manila. In many ways, the two are mirror-images of each other. The problem is that her younger, more inelegant sister, Pilar, is also in love with him and in some sense, he is attracted to her as well.
The unspoken character is the Filipino soul, and the author delves deeply to showcase the core of the Philippines that outsiders do not get to see. Defined by its lusciousness and beauty, the country is also rocked by its superstitions and irrationality, its religiousness, its violence. When a ship sinks, guests who are invited to an elegant dinner are afraid to eat the fish because they are convinced that body parts lie inside of them. Skin moles are regarded as physical evidence of deception.
Within this environment, people want to be saved but they don’t want to change. They know things – overtly or innately – that they don’t want to reveal. They are willing to tell the stories of strangers, but not their own. Often, they lose their compass and their sense of self. It’s a landscape that’s ripe for betrayals and slowly but surely, the betrayals begin to add up and the betrayed need to live on.
Whether these betrayals take the form of warring political factions, infidelities of the heart and body, recrafting of past histories or worst of all, betrayals of one’s very own values and sense of self, at the end of the day, we are all complicit in some form or another. All try to survive, in whatever way they can, even if it means losing oneself to do so.
This is a fascinating novel and I thank Europa Editions for enabling me to be an early reader in exchange for an honest review.
The Betrayed, set at the end of the Marcos dictatorship in the 1980s, is a book about survival and the lengths we go to ensure that we are safe. It is also about love – imperfect love, unrequited love, unintentional love, and misunderstood love.
In the midst of a tumultuous time of upheaval (Marcos is on his way out and Cory Aquino is on the rise, although neither name is mentioned), an aging dissident who sought refuge in San Francisco with his wife and two daughters is gunned down. For reasons that vacillate between love and survival, the stunning older daughter, Lali, marries the dictator’s handsome and well-bred son, Arturo, who becomes the family’s ticket to return in safety to Manila. In many ways, the two are mirror-images of each other. The problem is that her younger, more inelegant sister, Pilar, is also in love with him and in some sense, he is attracted to her as well.
The unspoken character is the Filipino soul, and the author delves deeply to showcase the core of the Philippines that outsiders do not get to see. Defined by its lusciousness and beauty, the country is also rocked by its superstitions and irrationality, its religiousness, its violence. When a ship sinks, guests who are invited to an elegant dinner are afraid to eat the fish because they are convinced that body parts lie inside of them. Skin moles are regarded as physical evidence of deception.
Within this environment, people want to be saved but they don’t want to change. They know things – overtly or innately – that they don’t want to reveal. They are willing to tell the stories of strangers, but not their own. Often, they lose their compass and their sense of self. It’s a landscape that’s ripe for betrayals and slowly but surely, the betrayals begin to add up and the betrayed need to live on.
Whether these betrayals take the form of warring political factions, infidelities of the heart and body, recrafting of past histories or worst of all, betrayals of one’s very own values and sense of self, at the end of the day, we are all complicit in some form or another. All try to survive, in whatever way they can, even if it means losing oneself to do so.
This is a fascinating novel and I thank Europa Editions for enabling me to be an early reader in exchange for an honest review.
April 2, 2021
Melvin pulls no punches. The Betrayed is a deep dive into the murky, viscous reality of the Philippines—politics, social class, religion, and the compelling tales that exist in the spaces between. The result is a lush, intoxicating narrative that pulls you in and shatters you, but also guides you through situations so fragile that to take a breath almost feels criminal. At times, the mystic is so pronounced that the novel takes on a dreamlike quality.
You will find yourself awed at the clarity with which Melvin dissects the contradictions existing in her characters: politician, lover, mother, woman, hero. All are simultaneously products and consequences of their own upbringing. All are perpetrators and victims of their own ill-conceived destinies. All are deeply, inconceivably human.
This is an illuminating, exquisite novel that I will think about for a long time to come. Probably my favorite read of the year so far.
You will find yourself awed at the clarity with which Melvin dissects the contradictions existing in her characters: politician, lover, mother, woman, hero. All are simultaneously products and consequences of their own upbringing. All are perpetrators and victims of their own ill-conceived destinies. All are deeply, inconceivably human.
This is an illuminating, exquisite novel that I will think about for a long time to come. Probably my favorite read of the year so far.
March 17, 2020
This deserves a spot as one of the best Filipino literature written in English. There are just so many dimensions and aspects to look into, and it bares the soul of the Filipino beyond class differences, cultures, and upbringings.
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December 6, 2022Keeping review in the drafts 👍
November 21, 2022
Intense, vivid, and timely!
The Betrayed is a riveting tale that sweeps you away to the Philippines. A country ravished and oppressed by war, rebellion, oppression, economic instability, social injustice, political upheaval, and a populace that is confused, disappointed, angry and struggling with self-identity, patriotism, and a lack of rights and freedoms.
The prose is gritty and raw. The characters are multi-layered, self-indulgent, and vulnerable. And the plot is a sophisticated tale about familial relationships, moral dilemmas, heartbreak, loss, guilt, grief, infidelity, manipulation, exploitation, violence, deception, and jealousy.
Overall, The Betrayed is an astute, tragic, propulsive tale that does a wonderful job of delving into all the messy emotional and psychological entanglements that exist between family members, friends, our histories and the places we call home and reminds us that the choices we make often have far-reaching consequences.
Thank you to PGC Books for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Betrayed is a riveting tale that sweeps you away to the Philippines. A country ravished and oppressed by war, rebellion, oppression, economic instability, social injustice, political upheaval, and a populace that is confused, disappointed, angry and struggling with self-identity, patriotism, and a lack of rights and freedoms.
The prose is gritty and raw. The characters are multi-layered, self-indulgent, and vulnerable. And the plot is a sophisticated tale about familial relationships, moral dilemmas, heartbreak, loss, guilt, grief, infidelity, manipulation, exploitation, violence, deception, and jealousy.
Overall, The Betrayed is an astute, tragic, propulsive tale that does a wonderful job of delving into all the messy emotional and psychological entanglements that exist between family members, friends, our histories and the places we call home and reminds us that the choices we make often have far-reaching consequences.
Thank you to PGC Books for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 28, 2023
Beautiful, devastating. The political backdrop is as rich as the relationships. Wowza
June 4, 2022
Family and Political saga set in 1980s PHILIPPINES
The Betrayed is a story of two sisters who love the same man… but that is just the beginning.
The book is very firmly set in 1980s Philippines. The key characters are members of the political elite in Manila, whose opulent lifestyle contrasts sharply with the fortunes of the the population mass of the Philippines. They maintain their power and influence by violence, corruption and self-serving alliances that come and go with the wind. The 1980s saw the end of the Marcos dictatorship and the rise to power of Cory Aquino. The players of the time are not named, but there can be no doubt who is being referenced, The two sisters, Lali and Pilar, are the daughters of a left wing regime critic who was exciled with his family to the States and then murdered on the streets of San Francisco. Lali fall is love with, and marries, Arturo – godson of the previous dictator. They move back to Manila. She appears to adjust well to the high life in the Philippines. Her sister, Pilar, goes with them but wants to honour their father’s memory and is shocked by what she sees as her sister’s betrayal. The story spends some time with the opposition to the government in the South of the country – the communists (the EDSA) and the religious left. It is a very well rounded view of what the country was like in the 80s.
Arturo is planning his own political career and is (perhaps strangely, we find out why)) supported by Pilar in this. While Lali is heavily pregnant, Pilar and Arturo spend time on the road together as he campaigns away from Manila. Their relationship becomes far more than just convenient… The marriage a trois is a key part of the story
The Betrayed is one of the very few novels written in English that covers the tumultuous 1980s in Philippine history. It does it extremely well, and should be required reading for anyone interested in or studying the period. That, perhaps, makes it sound a little dry. It isn’t – it is a very human and very well written story set against a dramatic background.
The Betrayed is a story of two sisters who love the same man… but that is just the beginning.
The book is very firmly set in 1980s Philippines. The key characters are members of the political elite in Manila, whose opulent lifestyle contrasts sharply with the fortunes of the the population mass of the Philippines. They maintain their power and influence by violence, corruption and self-serving alliances that come and go with the wind. The 1980s saw the end of the Marcos dictatorship and the rise to power of Cory Aquino. The players of the time are not named, but there can be no doubt who is being referenced, The two sisters, Lali and Pilar, are the daughters of a left wing regime critic who was exciled with his family to the States and then murdered on the streets of San Francisco. Lali fall is love with, and marries, Arturo – godson of the previous dictator. They move back to Manila. She appears to adjust well to the high life in the Philippines. Her sister, Pilar, goes with them but wants to honour their father’s memory and is shocked by what she sees as her sister’s betrayal. The story spends some time with the opposition to the government in the South of the country – the communists (the EDSA) and the religious left. It is a very well rounded view of what the country was like in the 80s.
Arturo is planning his own political career and is (perhaps strangely, we find out why)) supported by Pilar in this. While Lali is heavily pregnant, Pilar and Arturo spend time on the road together as he campaigns away from Manila. Their relationship becomes far more than just convenient… The marriage a trois is a key part of the story
The Betrayed is one of the very few novels written in English that covers the tumultuous 1980s in Philippine history. It does it extremely well, and should be required reading for anyone interested in or studying the period. That, perhaps, makes it sound a little dry. It isn’t – it is a very human and very well written story set against a dramatic background.
January 3, 2023
In an eloquent, often poetic and image-rich prose, Reine Arcache Melvin’s “The Betrayed” is a deeply satisfying read. Her characters are psychologically multi-dimensional, their lives defined against a background of political and often, all too often, elite corruption. This is memorably played side by side with the dark sides of violence and poverty and sexuality in their particular world. And, a resonance with other countries where corruption and conflicts exist made the drama all the more important to think about. While set in the post Marcos Philippines, the interwoven lives do not exist in a bubble. This is a book that does not shy away from identity, or identity politics. It is a reminder of how complex love and betrayal are, in all societies, at a time when the world is harder than ever to perceive simply. I can highly recommend reading “The Betrayed.”
March 17, 2019
This is an extraordinary novel. It is exquisitely written and edited. The word choices, phrases, and rhythms keep the movement going and provide drama and psychological, sociological, and political insights. It is a wonderful depiction of the intricacies and frailty of human relationships at both personal and political levels. It gives insight into the post-Marcos regime and it also gives insight into ordinary human choices. It is also a writer’s novel; the beauty and skill of its writing is comparable to the greatest of novels.
May 23, 2023
Really sloppy storytelling and some of the most poorly developed characters I’ve ever read
February 11, 2022
In the post-Marcos era, the Philippines have been plunged into darkness and turmoil, political division is rife and society has reached a breaking point. But even with all of this, sisters Lali and Pilar have miraculously found love - unfortunately with the same man. Their loyalties to each other, to their family, to their fight against the regime, are all being tested and this may be the point of no return for them both.
Both are seeking their place in this ever-changing world; a world that is corrupt, bloody and violent. But how far can they go to find it? And how will they truly know once they have?
This stunning novel was a passionate, fiery tale of love and hate, brimming with visceral, rich detail that transports the reader into the pages instantly. Told through perspectives of both sisters, the similarities and growing differences between them is apparent and intricately written, allowing us a sense of familiarity with the characters and developing a deep sense of connection and care for them. They are contradictory, and at times hypocritical but perfectly crafted to be unequivocally human.
The prose was beautifully descriptive, but almost rhythmic and poetic in it's way.
The Betrayed explores the the beauty and corruption of our world, the power of choice and genuine human connection. Delving into the murky truth about our fate, our destinies and how they are crafted. Are they by design, through our own choices or our backgrounds, or is it all just chance?
Both are seeking their place in this ever-changing world; a world that is corrupt, bloody and violent. But how far can they go to find it? And how will they truly know once they have?
This stunning novel was a passionate, fiery tale of love and hate, brimming with visceral, rich detail that transports the reader into the pages instantly. Told through perspectives of both sisters, the similarities and growing differences between them is apparent and intricately written, allowing us a sense of familiarity with the characters and developing a deep sense of connection and care for them. They are contradictory, and at times hypocritical but perfectly crafted to be unequivocally human.
The prose was beautifully descriptive, but almost rhythmic and poetic in it's way.
The Betrayed explores the the beauty and corruption of our world, the power of choice and genuine human connection. Delving into the murky truth about our fate, our destinies and how they are crafted. Are they by design, through our own choices or our backgrounds, or is it all just chance?
September 6, 2022
The Betrayed by Reine Arcache Melvin interested me because the author is Filipino American and the setting is in the Philippines, which were both new to me.
The prose was beautiful at times and cliche at others. I liked the way the author told the story drawing me in close with the lavish atmospheric writing and pushing away giving almost no details in the next scene repeatedly. It made me want to keep reading.
The betrayed is not just the murdered father (which happens at the beginning of the novel so not a spoiler), but the sisters, the relationships, the politics, the religion, the superstitions, the Filipino people, and the Philippines. You’ll have to read it if you want to find out how it is all woven together.
Not perfect but worth a read.
The prose was beautiful at times and cliche at others. I liked the way the author told the story drawing me in close with the lavish atmospheric writing and pushing away giving almost no details in the next scene repeatedly. It made me want to keep reading.
The betrayed is not just the murdered father (which happens at the beginning of the novel so not a spoiler), but the sisters, the relationships, the politics, the religion, the superstitions, the Filipino people, and the Philippines. You’ll have to read it if you want to find out how it is all woven together.
Not perfect but worth a read.
November 16, 2022
Un romanzo davvero interessante, non perfetto ma decisamente valido.
L'ambientazione nelle Filippine post-regime per me è inedita e la trama che intreccia le vicende famigliari dei protagonisti a quelle politiche del Paese è avvincente e intrigante, anche se a tratti perde un pò di ritmo.
Reine Arcache Melvin sceglie di raccontare le vicende attraverso tre punti di vista, due femminili e uno maschile; e sicuramente questa scelta stilistica aiuta nel mantenere il ritmo narrativo e l'interesse del lettore, soprattutto perché le tre lenti ci raccontano 3 storie che differiscono in alcuni punti e ci svelano tratti inediti dei protagonisti.
Un aspetto che mi ha lasciata perplessa è stata la scelta di tradurre il titolo The Betrayed con Tradite. Il titolo originale, infatti, essendo neutro lascia l'incertezza del destinatario o dei destinatari del tradimento. Perché qui ad essere tradito non sono solo le sorelle, le mogli, le madri ma anche i figli, i padri, i mariti, i cittadini e le cittadine, il Paese intero.
L'ambientazione nelle Filippine post-regime per me è inedita e la trama che intreccia le vicende famigliari dei protagonisti a quelle politiche del Paese è avvincente e intrigante, anche se a tratti perde un pò di ritmo.
Reine Arcache Melvin sceglie di raccontare le vicende attraverso tre punti di vista, due femminili e uno maschile; e sicuramente questa scelta stilistica aiuta nel mantenere il ritmo narrativo e l'interesse del lettore, soprattutto perché le tre lenti ci raccontano 3 storie che differiscono in alcuni punti e ci svelano tratti inediti dei protagonisti.
Un aspetto che mi ha lasciata perplessa è stata la scelta di tradurre il titolo The Betrayed con Tradite. Il titolo originale, infatti, essendo neutro lascia l'incertezza del destinatario o dei destinatari del tradimento. Perché qui ad essere tradito non sono solo le sorelle, le mogli, le madri ma anche i figli, i padri, i mariti, i cittadini e le cittadine, il Paese intero.
March 31, 2022
One of the best fiction pieces written by a Filipino I have read in a while. In "The Betrayed," multi-dimensional themes, characters, and plots are present and being exhibited while still bearing the Filipino soul that heralds to different sections and goes beyond the narrative around class struggle and upbringing, psychological drama, and political upheavals.
Although the title suggests there is a betrayal going on between the two sisters, the narrative did not just revolve around that specific theme, instead, the author provides layers, perspectives that will make you sympathize with the characters. A well-crafted drama is born and flourished throughout.
Melvin's writing is a treat, a perfect morsel that goes straight into your mouth. Fresh as ice water. Exquisite and smart.
Although the title suggests there is a betrayal going on between the two sisters, the narrative did not just revolve around that specific theme, instead, the author provides layers, perspectives that will make you sympathize with the characters. A well-crafted drama is born and flourished throughout.
Melvin's writing is a treat, a perfect morsel that goes straight into your mouth. Fresh as ice water. Exquisite and smart.
October 29, 2022
In this book I saw my own grief, my own love and endless worry for our country. The story is highly intriguing, with the author successfully putting me through the minds of the flawed and dynamic characters. It’s a brilliant look at what keeps our country going: the power hungry politicians, the family-centric values at the core of these dynasties, the pragmatism. How everyone in this country is only trying to survive: not only the ordinary citizens, but even the ones running it. Even the heroes. Even the villains. They say Philippines is one of the happiest countries in the world. But I think we’ve only been trained to survive here. How can we know true happiness?
February 22, 2019
I managed to get a copy of the book from the author, and I have to say I fell in love with both the sisters, with Lali and Pilar, in love with their sensual natures. I was also fascinated by the events described: the mystic intrigue, the political and natural violence, all hallmarks of the Philippines. The entire read made me feel like I was walking over a ravine on a swaying, worm-eaten wood bridge that could give way, any moment, and I would be lost to the river that runs beneath us all.
September 14, 2022
The Betrayed is set in the 1980s during a very tumultuous times in the Philippines. As I turned each page I am brought back to a time I still clearly remember. Reine Arcache Melvin brings to life people, events and emotions that Filipinos lived during that time. This maybe fiction but I see glimpses of possible true stories that unfolded before me during that time. So beautifully written.
February 14, 2019
From my book review: http://thegreatwallofbianca.com/what-...
I commend the way Melvin dissects the minds of the characters in the story. A simple trick that really worked along the way. Readers will notice that in each chapter, she focuses on the point of view of one character and how he/she connects with people, events, and places.
One comment I have in mind, however, is not being able to highlight the mother of Arturo, Lali’s husband. Her character is interesting because she depicts the flaws of our Filipinoness and how they, at the same time, redeem herself. I must say that her character is underrated in this story. Melvin could’ve focused on her for at least one chapter and dive into how our Filipino traits cause complications to our society.
Melvin attacks our emotions and I find her effective when giving the mood of the scene. This is in particular with the horrors Lali goes through with her marriage with Arturo and her experience of going South with David, a foreign journalist who stays in the Philippines for two years. The drawback on this is it dilutes our ability to imagine a close-to-reality setting because the physical descriptions of places are often generic.
Readers will find that the main characters are boxed in their own worlds and own battles. This, somehow, makes the story’s progression slow. Melvin gives too much time for the characters to address their internal conflicts, and by doing so, it just opens a can of worms. I think the turning point of the story begins when Lali meets David and they openly discuss the life outside the world of Lali. I particularly loved David’s character because of his thought-provoking lines, which the story needs to keep it moving smoothly. His bravery and bluntness tell the readers how to better address conflicts we keep on fighting.
I commend the way Melvin dissects the minds of the characters in the story. A simple trick that really worked along the way. Readers will notice that in each chapter, she focuses on the point of view of one character and how he/she connects with people, events, and places.
One comment I have in mind, however, is not being able to highlight the mother of Arturo, Lali’s husband. Her character is interesting because she depicts the flaws of our Filipinoness and how they, at the same time, redeem herself. I must say that her character is underrated in this story. Melvin could’ve focused on her for at least one chapter and dive into how our Filipino traits cause complications to our society.
Melvin attacks our emotions and I find her effective when giving the mood of the scene. This is in particular with the horrors Lali goes through with her marriage with Arturo and her experience of going South with David, a foreign journalist who stays in the Philippines for two years. The drawback on this is it dilutes our ability to imagine a close-to-reality setting because the physical descriptions of places are often generic.
Readers will find that the main characters are boxed in their own worlds and own battles. This, somehow, makes the story’s progression slow. Melvin gives too much time for the characters to address their internal conflicts, and by doing so, it just opens a can of worms. I think the turning point of the story begins when Lali meets David and they openly discuss the life outside the world of Lali. I particularly loved David’s character because of his thought-provoking lines, which the story needs to keep it moving smoothly. His bravery and bluntness tell the readers how to better address conflicts we keep on fighting.
May 19, 2023
I like it when I am in a fix like this when I have some things to say about the book that counters my overall reading experience. Sometimes I do not think a book is great, but my own enjoyment of it ensures its place on my five-star shelf, and sometimes, there are books like this which have their own important position in the world that do not appeal to me.
This story does not begin in the Philippines but entirely revolves around it.
The time is the 1980s, and there is to be an upheaval in the political scene. Long-banished people make their way home and set up a new order.
The scenes are all based on and around the political machinations of people with a thirst for power - the story derives its direction from it. The plot, however, is focused on a doomed family. We have two sisters who are as different as they can be. That in itself is not an issue. It is quite common. They adore their father, who was a very public figure in the previous revolution, and for that, they cannot safely live in the Philippines any more. After his death and the subsequent fall of the previous regime, the family of three now move back to the country.
I am not a fan of love triangles, and this is even worse because of the relationship angle as well as the fact that none of the characters were inherently likeable. Pilar(the ungainly sister) was probably the best of the lot, but she held herself in such low regard that it was hard to not want to shake her at times.
The story revolves around the sisters, their individual wishes and responsibilities, their changing lifestyles as well as the man they both are drawn to for different reasons.
For someone who can separate their feelings from the quality of a narrative, this is a must-read. There is so much going on in the background that it brings a whole other world to life. I have not read a book like this based in the country before, and I have come away with new information about the past that moulded it. I highly recommend this to people who like the blurb and want to read something different. It was not a book I personally enjoyed, however.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
This story does not begin in the Philippines but entirely revolves around it.
The time is the 1980s, and there is to be an upheaval in the political scene. Long-banished people make their way home and set up a new order.
The scenes are all based on and around the political machinations of people with a thirst for power - the story derives its direction from it. The plot, however, is focused on a doomed family. We have two sisters who are as different as they can be. That in itself is not an issue. It is quite common. They adore their father, who was a very public figure in the previous revolution, and for that, they cannot safely live in the Philippines any more. After his death and the subsequent fall of the previous regime, the family of three now move back to the country.
I am not a fan of love triangles, and this is even worse because of the relationship angle as well as the fact that none of the characters were inherently likeable. Pilar(the ungainly sister) was probably the best of the lot, but she held herself in such low regard that it was hard to not want to shake her at times.
The story revolves around the sisters, their individual wishes and responsibilities, their changing lifestyles as well as the man they both are drawn to for different reasons.
For someone who can separate their feelings from the quality of a narrative, this is a must-read. There is so much going on in the background that it brings a whole other world to life. I have not read a book like this based in the country before, and I have come away with new information about the past that moulded it. I highly recommend this to people who like the blurb and want to read something different. It was not a book I personally enjoyed, however.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
April 15, 2024
Set in the Philippines and ranging from the end of the Marcos regime to the current equally autocratic regime, this is at once a family saga and the story of two sisters and their rivalrous relationship to one man, and a political novel about the corruption and lust for power of the country’s rulers. Pilar and Lali have been living in exile in the United States after their father had to flee for his politics. Both loved their father but deal with his legacy differently. Pilar wants to carry on her father’s resistance whilst Lali marries into the new ruling family. This inevitably creates conflict within the family but this is exacerbated by the affair Pilar has with Arturo and the consequences of that are far-reaching. There are many strands to the story and on the whole these are woven together successfully. I did feel that there are possibly too many sub-plots and minor characters, but maybe these are necessary to give the reader a panoramic portrait of the country and the political machinations of its elite, with the stark contrast between their privileged life in Manila compared to the poverty stricken life of the ordinary people in the provinces. However, one or two of these sub-plots did stretch my credulity. Corruption and violence are everywhere, and the brutal tactics deployed are truly shocking. Betrayal, as suggested by the apt title, is everywhere. I found the book a compelling insight into life in the Philippines, and the wide social sweep it offers the reader is truly enlightening. Although firmly set in its time and place, the novel also has a universal relevance, as political corruption is never limited to just one place or time, nor are the pains of love and family ties. Highly recommended.
January 19, 2021
The Betrayed portrays, in an easy read, chunks of realities from the recent history and from people's daily lives which form the complex collective unconscious and cultural archetype of the Philippine society: the hodgepodge of Filipino faith beliefs that are Christian, East Asian, and Filipino superstitions; the play of "partisan" politics; the constant strife among social classes.
The author also provides for a healthy women empowerment that advocates for the liberalization of the womanhood and the moralization of sexual "taboos" from the perspective of women, including which are the eventual resultant prenatal and postpartum depression.
The thing I liked the most: the novel implicitly exposed its stance. It is not just another martial law novel. It is not just another literary text. It is not an attempt to summarize everything within a number of pages. It is a reflection on human connections, human relations, spirituality, sensuality, sexuality, and the Philippine society. A great grasp of reality.
The author also provides for a healthy women empowerment that advocates for the liberalization of the womanhood and the moralization of sexual "taboos" from the perspective of women, including which are the eventual resultant prenatal and postpartum depression.
The thing I liked the most: the novel implicitly exposed its stance. It is not just another martial law novel. It is not just another literary text. It is not an attempt to summarize everything within a number of pages. It is a reflection on human connections, human relations, spirituality, sensuality, sexuality, and the Philippine society. A great grasp of reality.
April 26, 2019
In her first novel, The Betrayed, Reine Arcache Melvin writes about what she knows best, and what is closest to her heart: The Philippines. A couple of pages into the book, the reader is swept into a rushing current of passions and politics coursing through a landscape of lush mysteries, seduction, violence, venal and noble aspirations. In alternating points of view Melvin fleshes out her main characters’motivations and deftly moves the story forward to a tour-de-force climactic penultimate chapter. Melvin doesn’t pull punches when it comes to describing the corruption and violence of the socio-political scene in the Philippines. Her command of the political context is convincingly authoritative, but this indictment is redeemed by a fluid and sensory descriptive prose and Melvin’s deep humanity towards the frailties of her protagonists. A full-bodied, recommendable read.
February 21, 2019
Reine Arcache Melvin's 'The Betrayed' plunges the reader into the heart of darkness of the post-Marcos era in the Philippines, a time when the breakdown of social/political codes played out in individual lives. Against the backdrop of this drama, her story of two sisters in love with the same man is told in the rich, passionate detail that has become Melvin's trademark, moving and heart-rending in turn. I was gripped from the beginning to the end of this novel. Beyond the pleasure of the love story, I learned so much about a country where I'd spent six months in the '90s. A visitor cannot hope to penetrate beneath the intriguing surface of life in the Philippines. Melvin's novel takes you there. Highly recommended.
March 4, 2019
Behind the story of two sisters in love with the same man, this great book offers a truly fascinating, and somewhat pessimistic, view of the immediate post-Marcos era. Political violence runs amok, and social stratification remains unaltered. And both leave their marks on the characters, who are remarkably alive, and complex, in this novel. The construction of the book is clear and very efficient, with chapters alternating between the different characters. For me it was a page turner.
Better than any essay on the Philippines, this book gives you an inner experience of many aspects of Philippine society, with at times a disconcerting blend of tragedy and comedy, and some heart-rending scenes. Masterfully done!
Better than any essay on the Philippines, this book gives you an inner experience of many aspects of Philippine society, with at times a disconcerting blend of tragedy and comedy, and some heart-rending scenes. Masterfully done!
May 18, 2022
Giving this a 4 because I felt like there were chunks of text throughout the book that felt superfluous. But all in all, I found that this was an interesting and incredibly emotional story for all 3 main characters. Admittedly, I was more drawn to one female protagonist than the other but I felt that the relationships were so well established and intertwined. Moreover, it gives a lot of good insight on the Philippine political and social landscape post-EDSA, which isn't something we've seen tackled in many novels.
August 28, 2023
Could have been better with the settings. What I love about The Quiet Ones of Glenn is that he described the places or surroundings very well. This book needs to be polished with the same style as it is common that writers should show, especially the settings. Too much ka o.a. han from the protagonist. But book plots are good.
November 23, 2019
A book with a complex set of characters in the aftermath of martial law that examines love and faith and what those means in a country where everyone is complicit in a broken system. I also want to note it's absolutely beautiful on a sentence level.
March 13, 2021
There are many truths inside this work of fiction, things that made me understand my country better. This novel perfectly captures the complexities of the Filipino, and in many ways felt like reading history.
December 18, 2022
As an American I feel I know very little about the reality of political corruption in the Philippines.
This book took my breath away in so many parts of the story .
It is beautifully written. An artful telling of an oppressive society.
This book took my breath away in so many parts of the story .
It is beautifully written. An artful telling of an oppressive society.
March 27, 2024
3.5 stars. The historical setting in Manila was interesting, but I didn't feel very invested in the fates of the main characters. I felt some sympathy for Pilar, but not for Lali or Arturo until close to the end of the novel.
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