Description

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.