The Son of Good Fortune: A Novel by Lysley Tenorio

Imagine the childhood of a young Filipino American boy in search of his place in a new and unfamiliar culture, and then the reality of his struggles to reconcile his identity and his cultural norms. This is the story at the heart of "The Son of Good Fortune", an exquisite novel by Lysley Tenorio.

The novel follows the story of Parcero, an eleven-year-old Filipino American boy who constantly finds himself straddling a blurred line between his two cultures, often feeling both out of place and misunderstood. Growing up in a middle-class American immigrant family, he is faced with the conflicts of two very different life worlds that he must navigate through.

Parcero embarks on his initiation into his father’s Muslim faith. He joins a reclusive Muslim community in the Philippines, only to discover that the faith he was being taught is a version of Islam that is different from the one he was taught back home. This can be both a source of comfort and confusion for Parcero as he struggles to become his own person.

At home in the Philippines, Parcero’s experience is further challenged by his family’s traditional belief that their son is the fated “Son of Good Fortune”, and for the family’s safety this must be kept at all costs. This gives Parcero an inspirational goal to work towards, but also deepens his sense of unease in his new home while making him question his identity amongst strangers.

As the story progresses, Parcero slowly re-discovers his old faith, transforming it into something new in a country of unfamiliar norms. Meanwhile, he also learns to look at his Filipinx heritage through different eyes, discovering a newfound appreciation for his cultural identity.

Humorously and poignantly, Parcero navigates his way through the two disparate cultures, armed only with the common sense of a young boy and his willingness to learn and grow. With each new experience he is faced with, Parcero must reconcile the highs and lows of his circumstances, as he endures and eventually finds his own place in the unfamiliar world he’s been living in.

“The Son of Good Fortune” is a captivating and well-crafted exploration of a Filipino-American experience. It delves into themes of identity, family, culture, and faith, highlighting the beauty of the Philippines and its people. Through Parcero’s engrossing journey, readers join in on the exciting and sometimes painful exploration of the journey of growing up and finding one’s place. Overall, it’s an illuminating and seriously entertaining read that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.