Monstress: Stories by Lysley Tenorio is a collection of nine short stories from the talented Filipino-American writer Lysley Tenorio. Tenorio has crafted a world full of sorrow yet with much hope for our understanding of life's complexity. The characters in Monstress exhibit resilience and strength despite the odds of life.
The nine stories in Monstress revolve around Filipino characters from a variety of backgrounds who are trying to make sense of their lives. The stories are divided into four sections – Lineage and Memory, Love, War and Sacrifice, and The Tale – that explore a range of themes such as family, identity, tradition, faith, and the search for home.
The first section of Monstress, Lineage and Memory, opens with the story “The Brothers”, which follows the story of two Filipino brothers, Fonte and Ponce, as they adjust to life in a new country. Here, Tenorio explores the brothers as they adjust and write a new story in their new surroundings that is informed by their previous experiences of growing up and living in the Philippines.
The second section, Love, War and Sacrifice, contains the stories “Ringo” and “Monstress”, which focus on life during the Philippine–American War This section examines the effects of war on individuals, such as the characters Ringo and Doria, who must find the courage to survive amongst the violence and chaos.
The third section, The Tale, contains two stories, “Homework” and “Tres Dogs”. The tales explore themes such as fatherhood and cultural heritage, as well as the Filipino immigrant’s trials and tribulations in trying to make a living in the United States.
The last section focuses on the complex relationship between tradition and family. In “Miracle”, Tenorio writes about four generations of a Filipino family caught up in a web of love and obligation. In “A History of Light”, Tenorio creates a space where loss, love and faith intersect, leaving the reader contemplating the importance of honoring one’s roots in the midst of so much change.
Overall, Tenorio’s writing is vivid and layered. His characters are complex and meaningful. He embellishes words and uses metaphors to evoke emotions of love, hope, and courage within each narrative. Tenorio’s stories feel deeply personal, as if he is writing from the depths of his own experiences. With Monstress, Tenorio creates a space for the reader to feel like they are inside the stories, and the language used is both powerful and captivating.
Monstress is an inspiring collection of stories that offers readers a glimpse into the lives of Filipino-Americans. Tenorio’s characters demonstrate resilience in trying times, and yet pay homage to their heritage. Monstress is an important contribution to Filipino-American literature, and a great book for anyone looking to explore the immigrant experience and themes of identity, family, and faith.
