Review: Why Is the Penis Shaped Like That?: And Other Reflections on Being Human

Why Is the Penis Shaped Like That?: And Other Reflections on Being Human by Jesse Bering

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



A few months ago, I noticed myself just looking at good-looking guys (some of whom used to make my heart palpitate a bit) and feeling nothing. Absolutely nothing. It was then that I realized that I must be getting old, since just a decade ago, butterflies in my chest and stomach were a constant whenever I would come face-to-face with a "potential mate" (in the Filipino language there is a word for this: kilig).

And so I reflected on it. Maybe, I theorized, evolution has dictated that female thirty-somethings should have long concluded their "mate-hunting" phase and should instead focus on rearing healthy offspring (who would, in turn, ensure the health of the global population). Stomach butterflies, in this case, are only for those females who have yet to choose "dependable and loyal" mates destined to help them rear those little gene-passers. Okay, plausible answer.

So this is the kind of mind I have (and I will not apologize for it), and the kind of mind I wish to encourage in my future offspring (a questioning, not salacious, mind, MIND YOU). This is also the kind of (nerdy) mind that would be intrigued with Dr. Jesse Bering's Why Is the Penis Shaped Like That: And Other Reflections on Being Human. Needless to say, I enjoyed his essays (and evidence-based theories) immensely.

Now I must admit that there were some topics in the book that made me uncomfortable (I will not enumerate them here lest I be accused of prudery). They still make me uncomfortable now that I have finished the book. Nevertheless, I think Bering was right in saying that "the great thing about good science is that it's amoral and objective and doesn't cater to the court of public opinion." He further pointed out (and rightly so): "Data don't cringe; people do."

Some of the concepts that Bering introduced (I don't know and can't verify at the moment if these are new, by the way), such as "green burial" and "animal laughter," were really thought-provoking (I am now seriously considering of someday having myself buried, not with a non-biodegradable coffin, but with a shroud—and a special acacia tree planted above me). I was also interested in Bering's scientific examination of the suicide phenomenon and his reflections thereafter: "If there is one thing I've learned since those very dark days of my suicidal years, it's that scientific knowledge changes perspective. And perspective changes everything. Everything. And, as I alluded to at the start, always remember: you're going to die soon anyway; even if it's a hundred years from now, that's still a blink of a cosmic eye. In the meantime, live like a scientist—even a controversial one with only a colleague or two in all the world—and treat life as a grand experiment, blood, sweat, tears, and all. Bear in mind that there's no such thing as a failed experiment—only data."

This book is definitely not for the moralists and the faint of heart. But for those who are open to learn about (and subsequently discuss) usually "icky" topics, Dr. Bering's book is one hell of a joyride.



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Review: The Dovekeepers

The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I started this book (with high hopes) on April 17, 2012. I finished it today, July 10, 2012. It took me three months to read it. Why?

The first half of the book was why. The “voice” of the first character was too “melodious” for my taste. The writing, which I guess aimed for a dreamy/ethereal feel, became insufferable at times. Okay, most of the time. So a few weeks into the plot, I decided to put the book down. I was even tempted to put it away for good (The writing was too gushy I felt I was getting a toothache every time I would try reading it again).

When I decided, once and for all, to finish it this week, I suddenly noticed the plot picking up pace. Maybe I liked the characters more (the book, by the way, is divided into four parts—with the four main women characters speaking for each part), and I could see glimpses of the Alice Hoffman who wrote Here on Earth. However, the sappy reflections masquerading as frilly, frilly sentences still abound—becoming overwhelming at times. Good thing I managed to read through them and see the book redeem itself in the end.

I can understand why the author got carried away with her writing, though. The topic, the siege of Masada, is a goldmine of potential (fictional) novels: dark, mysterious, unverified, and “romantic.” You could see this potential in the last few pages of the book, when Hoffman was tackling the actual siege and the “suicides.” Those few pages, by the way, exhibited the book’s strength—when it actually dealt (head-on) with the Masada story.

The book, for me, held much prospect. Strong characters, fancy words and equally fancy reflections (while most fell flat, some were actually insightful), promising story and ambiance. Too bad it had the tendency of falling victim to the maudlin. Like a pretty girl with too much make-up.




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Review: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Great storytelling! The author was funny and fantastic with words. I'm sure his background as a filmmaker helped him a lot in writing this highly-entertaining debut novel. This, considering that he was writing about a not-so-novel theme (I'm sure you've seen or heard about those blockbuster summer movies and their equally blockbuster sequels).

Riggs' writing was able to evoke a myriad of feelings from me. There were scary, spine-chilling moments, laugh-out-loud moments, even weepy moments (those grandpa scenes and that THIS IS WHY photo on page 227 broke my heart and tear ducts). Truly a book that can be read in one sitting.

However, the story of Jacob and the rest of Miss Peregrine's peculiar children ends for me. I think Riggs has tackled everything exciting there is to tackle with this book. I'm really not so sure about a sequel. Let's see, I suppose.



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Review: Thirteen Reasons Why

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



"Before that party, I'd thought about giving up so many times. I don't know, maybe some people are just preconditioned to think about it more than others. Because every time something bad happened, I thought about it."—Hannah Baker, protagonist

I initially thought of giving Thirteen Reasons Why four stars. Don't get me wrong, I liked it. And I was affected by it (the word I described myself after closing the book was SPENT).

I just didn't know how affected I was until that train ride home yesterday.

I was sitting there, reading the book's Interview with the Author page while waiting for my stop. Suddenly, a picture of one of my closest friends appeared in my mind. My friend was speaking to my counselor on the phone, assuring her that she would talk to me, "guard" me, help me. This happened just a few years back, during one of the darkest moments of my life. That best friend did not question my feelings and actions, and did not judge me as weak or melodramatic. As she was discussing "plans of action" with my counselor, she had no idea that she was saving me at that very moment. Because she tried, I felt that I had to try. For me, for her, for the people I love and who love me.

And suddenly I realized how important this book is.

To the adults (and teenagers) who would judge Hannah as a weak, melodramatic teenager with the annoying penchant of making mountains out of molehills, please remember how you were as an adolescent. Before you acquired the ability of "focusing on the manageable" (read: maturing as an adult), don't forget that as a teenager, the whole world seemed to revolve around you and your issues. And while there are many who turn out fine and dandy as adults, there are still a significant number of youngsters who just could not cope. High school rumors, as tackled in Thirteen Reasons Why, may seem like a non-issue to you now, but for most teenagers, their reputations mean the universe to them. Nothing is shallow when you are at that age.

To the author, here's to you: *slow clap*. Kudos to the way you wrote the book. Aside from the book's ingenious format, the way you opened Hannah Baker's heart and soul in Thirteen Reasons Why is so commendable. Truth is, I sometimes felt disconnected with Hannah while I was reading the book (thus initially thinking of giving it four stars) because I felt her issues were so inconsequential. But that was the whole point, wasn't it? Because we, as adults, tend to brush aside adolescent problems, so we fail to save them from themselves.

I tell you, whatever you feel about the book while reading it, it is the aftermath that hits you. No, not hits. BLUDGEONS.



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HK: Almost, But Not Quite

Go Away Rain! Please?

• Climate: Hot, almost humid
• No. of Days: 4
• Travelling with companions: No _ Yes X;  a) If yes, how many? 13 (ominous, right?)   b) Family or friends? Family
• Mood while travelling: wary BUT hopeful
• Stress level: Off the charts (pls. refer to question 3.b.)
• Learnings: See bullet points below.
• Health: Recurring gastric disturbances (emergency room two days prior to flight)

Now you know that you can't ask me what I think about "authentic" Hong Kong cuisine, or if I have any cute photos of me me me in earmuffs, in a fur coat, in knee-high boots, or if I was with somebody "special" (a la Angel Locsin/Phil Younghusband in Hong Kong, 2011) during my birthday week (yes, we left for HK a day after my birthday). Because that would put me in a really bad mood. 


On with the story.

***


Hong Kong was next on my Asia travel checklist. Having been to Singapore last year, I looked forward to the Hong Kong "vibe" — as one of my closest friends (now living in SG) described the city-state's (this term is so pol. sci., by the way) je ne sais quoi.  Singapore is perfect, but bordering on "sterile." True. But (the deeper) truth is, I really appreciated the Singapore paradigm when I was there. Manila can (strive to) be like that. And much as I was looking forward to Hong Kong's vibe, vibe I can find in Manila. Interesting, warty, smelly, fun, exasperating, maddening Manila. But as one world-weary, lipstick-smeared, once-beautiful-now-what streetwalker differs from the next, I was interested to get to know Hong Kong up close and all that. 


I guess I should have introduced myself to her in November–February, when I could walk around the city without blinding my eyes with sweat (okay, exaggerating, but this did happen to me in Disneyland and Ocean Park).    


But I really didn't have a choice in this matter, did I? My aunt, who was to spend for the whole trip, decided that we tour Hong Kong from June 6 to 9, 2012. Beggars, as the saying goes, have no right to be choosers. 


***


I am very fortunate to have a magnanimous (generous is too puny a term) aunt. An aunt who wouldn't blink twice in splurging for 11 adults and three kids. So when my Mama asked me if I could take a few days off from work to go to Hong Kong with them, I enthusiastically said sure! I also wanted to spend some time with her. And I still felt guilty for not having attended my uncle's (husband of magnanimous aunt) funeral last April because of an asthma attack. 


***


The trip was off to a bad start without us even trying. Just a few weeks prior to a trip, my mother and her sister (not the trip sponsor) engaged in a very shameful gladiatorial activity in the province (I am not exaggerating). They were scheduled to meet at the barangay to either settle the problem or elevate it to the courts just a week after the trip. I don't know why they decided to go to Hong Kong anyway (with that ocean of enmity between them), but they did. I assume it was because all-expense-paid trips don't come knocking on your door every day. 

***


Enough of the "context." Here's the Experience. In bullet points.

• It is best to travel to Hong Kong during the cool months. I'm of course speaking for many Filipinos who think that they would rather stay in the Philippines rather than spend money travelling to a country with an identical (hot hot hot) climate to theirs. Amusement parks (Disneyland, Ocean Park) are no fun when you wipe streaming sweat off your face every few minutes. Maybe Hong Kong has some charm during the hot months, but I was too busy looking for inexpensive bottled water to combat my impending dehydration to notice. Which brings me to my next point:
• Hong Kong IS expensive. We had to pay an average of HK$70 for each meal. Maybe we just ate at the wrong restaurants, but my stomach was then too delicate to explore the adventurous option of sampling hole-in-the-wall or street fares (mea maxima culpa). But food aside, I felt that my pockets had holes while we were going around the city. Expensive, I tell you. And the tiangge-style Mongkok (where you could supposedly buy cheap stuff)? Divisoria is waaaaaaaay better. 
• The locals? I had this impression that they are still mad at us for that hostage incident two years ago. The vendors, the cab drivers, the waiters and waitresses, even our tour guide (who made a lot of money from us tourists, particularly my sponsor-aunt) were annoyingly churlish (adj. marked by a lack of civility or graciousness). After four days in Hong Kong, I longed to see my countrymen's helpful, accommodating manner again (I could do with the insincerity of a few Filipinos—at least you could see some effort to be polite!). Don't expect smiles from these seemingly tourist-weary natives, you'll be in for a major disappointment (Disclaimer: I'm only speaking for those HK residents I encountered. I am pretty sure there are still many of those who would give their country a good name). 
• Please don't ask me about my Disneyland/Ocean Park experiences. If you've been to other amusement parks in other parts of the world (or even in your home country i.e. Enchanted Kingdom), then you know the answer to your question. Oh, just one thing: our own Manila Ocean Park has a better variety of sea life than theirs. And please, our dolphin show in Subic will mop theirs to oblivion (in Filipino: Ilalampaso ng Subic dolphin show yung HK Ocean Park Sea Dreams). With all due respect to the HK dolphins (I love all of you, regardless of nationality, color or species).
• Please do not take the city tour package (?). They will bring you to places that will take too much of your time (and make you spend for things you don't really need). And I've told you about the tour guides (The best tour guides are still Filipinos, in terms of attentiveness, thoughtfulness and politeness. I speak without bias). Explore Hong Kong on your own. 
• There WERE great (and unforgettable) things about Hong Kong: the beautiful view of the city from Victoria Peak, the tram ride, Disney Hollywood Hotel, the double-decker buses, the ultra-fast train ride, the underground tunnels (how on earth were they made?!), children in their "Sailor Moon" school uniforms, and of course,  the indescribable city "vibe."

Hong Kong is worth going back to, with all its possibilities. I just hope I get to see the day when it finally lives up to its potential. Crossing my fingers that I'll get a better "second" first impression next time.