Rolling the R's : Book Review

"Rolling the R's" by R. Zamora Linmark is a captivating coming-of-age novel set in 1970s Kalihi, a working-class neighborhood in Honolulu. The story revolves around a group of Filipino-American teenagers as they navigate their complex identities, explore their desires, and confront the challenges of growing up in a vibrant multicultural environment.

Written with a beautiful blend of English, Tagalog, and street slang, the narrative captures the energetic and culturally diverse Filipino community. Linmark skillfully weaves together multiple perspectives, offering a diverse range of voices and experiences. The stories intertwine, shedding light on issues of race, sexuality, and socio-economic disparities, creating a rich and multi-dimensional narrative.

One of the book's greatest strengths lies in its authentic portrayal of adolescence. Linmark delicately captures the confusion, yearning, and uncertainty that often accompany teenage life. The characters grapple with their Filipino heritage and their place in American society, exploring themes of identity and self-acceptance. Their struggles, whether related to familial expectations or first love, resonate with readers from all backgrounds, making the novel highly relatable.

The non-linear structure, composed of interconnected short stories and vivid vignettes, adds complexity to the storytelling. Linmark's evocative prose invites readers into the vivid world of Kalihi, taking them on a powerful visual journey. However, the narrative's episodic nature can feel fragmented at times, requiring readers to piece together the timeline of events. Nonetheless, this structure enhances the depth and richness of the overall narrative.

In conclusion, "Rolling the R's" is a remarkable and poignant novel that delves into the challenges faced by Filipino-American teenagers in a multicultural society. Linmark's lyrical writing style, authentic characters, and insightful exploration of identity make this coming-of-age tale a must-read for those seeking diverse perspectives and a deeper understanding of the teenage experience.

What are readers saying?

"Rolling the R's" by R. Zamora Linmark is a coming-of-age novel that tells the story of teenagers growing up in a Filipino community in Hawaii during the 1970s. The reception of the book has been mixed, with some readers praising its unique storytelling style and cultural representation, while others found it difficult to follow and confusing.

Many readers appreciated the book's authentic portrayal of Filipino-American culture and the challenges faced by the characters. They found the use of pidgin English, Hawaiian slang, and multiple narrative voices to be immersive, creating a strong sense of place and community. Some readers especially enjoyed how the book explored themes such as identity, racism, and sexuality, finding them thought-provoking and relevant.

However, there were also readers who found the narrative style of the book to be challenging and confusing. The constant switching between characters and time periods made it difficult for them to fully engage with the story. These readers mentioned that the language and cultural references were sometimes hard to understand, leading to a lack of clarity and connection with the characters and their journey.

Another point of contention among readers was the explicit content and mature themes present in the book. While some believed these elements were necessary to accurately portray the experiences of the characters, others found them excessive and uncomfortable.

In summary, "Rolling the R's" has received a mixed response from readers. Those who appreciated its cultural representation and exploration of important themes found it engaging and immersive. On the other hand, readers who struggled with the narrative style and explicit content found it difficult to connect with the story.

RollingTheRs MulticulturalLiterature ComingOfAge