“Empty sky. Fallen angel on the ground. Fallen angel ascending. Sky with shining star.” – 51, December 22

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I still remember visiting the Anvil Publishing Booth at the Manila International Book Fair, where I had a wonderful conversation with the amazing Page, who recommended this book to me. I immediately purchased it and promised myself that I would read it during the holiday season. When the right time came, I finished reading the book, and it was beautifully written. Sitting on my living room couch during the festive season, I found the experience surprisingly heavy yet captivating, as the words of the novel drew me in completely. The author written a novel that feels both grounded and otherworldly. It’s like stepping into a dream where hope and hardship co-exist, and it’s impossible to look away.

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“The Solemn Lantern Maker” by Merlinda Bobis is a heart-tugging, thought-provoking novel that hits you in the most unexpected ways. Set in the streets of Manila just days before Christmas, we follow Noland, a mute ten-year-old boy who makes and sells stunning handmade lanterns. His quiet life gets flipped upside down when he witnesses a shooting involving a foreign tourist. 

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What makes this book powerful is how it intertwines real struggles of poverty, violence, and political tension and with moments of hope and magic. In the chaos of the streets, Noland clings to his dreams, finding beauty in his lanterns, the stars, and his devotion to the foreign tourist which he believes is an angel. At its core, the book is about connection… how Noland and his mom care for each other and the mysterious woman, and how light, symbolized by the lanterns, can guide and heal, even in the darkest times. It’s an emotional journey that shows how small acts of kindness and love can have a huge impact in a world that often feels broken. Like Noland, I too have my own share of trauma from my childhood to teenage years growing up in Sampaloc, Manila. The streets, the noise, the violence, and the poverty shaped me into someone who always acts with kindness. Amidst the chaos around us, the best thing we can do is be kinder to ourselves and to those around us.

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“The Solemn Lantern Maker” is powerful piece on the resilience of the human spirit, the bonds of family, and the ability to find light in even the darkest of times. It’s emotional, powerful, and raw. This novel is a must-read.