Talking to the MoonWhen Jory Lalaban, a Filipino postman, finds himself the target of a racially motivated shooting, he is forced to confront long buried memories of his life in the Philippines -- how he came to abandon the priesthood to become a worshipper of the Moon; his youth in an orphanage after World War II; the devastating "curse" that forced him and his new bride, Belen, to flee the Philippines for the United States. The shooting makes international headlines, disturbing the quiet life of the Lalabans, a family forced to face its darkest fears. The reader is introduced to a cast of memorable characters like Emerson Lalaban, the son who talks to his dead brother on the phone, but fails to properly communicate his feelings to the man he loves; Michael, Emerson's Taiwanese boyfriend, who vows to never fall in love with an American again; the wife Belen Lalaban, a woman who hears the quirky voice of the Virgin Mary; and William, the racist gunman who demands to be heard. Inspired by an actual event, this funny, rich novel unflinchingly tackles the most explosive topics facing America today: race, religion, and sexuality.. |
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Addison Andy Lau arms asked Belen thought believed body breath Cantonese child church clothes Curse door Doug Dubabang Emerson felt Emerson looked Emerson thought Ermaline eyes face Father Aga Father Ryan feel Filipino Funny Bones girl guys hair hand head heard hoped hospital husband Ibaloi Igorots Jones Jory Lalaban Jory looked Jory thought Jory's Jun-Jun Jun's knew laughed leave lifted living room Makers of Prayer mambunong mayor Moon mother Mother Teresa never nodded nurse okay Philippines pray priest pulled Rabbi Shultz Ralph Waldo Emerson rice wine Santa Monica Boulevard Shanom shirt skateboard sleep smiled snake someone sorry stood sure Taiwan talk tell things Thom told took turned waiting walked watched whispered wife William Baylor window woman wondered Yeah