Everything We Never Had
Author: Randy Ribay
Four generations of Filipino-American men, starting with immigrant Francisco, strive to define themselves and their relationships with an ever-evolving America.
Our Young Reviewer Says:
“Everything We Never Had” by Randy Ribay was a touching novel about the Filipino-American experience. It tracked four generations of a Filipino family and their experiences living as Filipinos in the US. I learned a lot about Filipino involvement in American agriculture labor reform movements and about the Philippines under the rule of Ferdinand Marcos. Ribay also beautifully portrayed the struggle of trying to keep in touch with a culture that is not of the land one lives in.
But apart from expressing this idea, he also gave glimpses into the perspectives of others who believed that assimilation was the best–and sometimes only–way to survive in America. These two sides clashed throughout the novel, making for a compelling story about being the descendants of immigrants in the United States. He masterfully transitioned between time periods and perspectives, letting the readers understand how each character became the way he was. This led to a consistent theme of healing through generational trauma.
–Vimala, age 17, Queens, NY.
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