Everything We Never Had by Randy Ribay (coming-of-age) *****

Everything We Never Had by Randy Ribay (coming-of-age novel)

Four generations of fathers and sons. Francisco, Emil, Chris, Enzo. Each father wants his son to benefit from his experience. Each son wants to set off in his own direction. Each generation lives in a different society. How can they span the generation gap?

Francisco arrived in the United States in 1929, looking for a better life for himself and his family back in the Philippines. He faced racism and brutality and fought back as a farm labor organizer. His son, Emil, resented that his father was rarely home. He responded by being apolitical and choosing school and assimilation. He became an engineer. His son, Chris, felt secure enough to pursue his heritage and personal interests. He became a high school history teacher. His son, Enzo, is still in high school.

The book presents narratives. Each boy navigates his teen years, struggling to find a place in a world unknown to his father, while his father offers obsolete and out-of-touch advice. The book chronicles four generations of a Filipino family. The generational conflicts are universal and reflect US societal changes.  This is not a book specific to Filipino families. For example, like many others of his generation, Emil responds to the Depression and WWII by seeking conservative security. Similarly, Enzo’s goals and aspirations reflect many teens who experienced COVID-19 lockdowns.

Four coming-of-age stories spread across time.

Winner of the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature

Longlisted for the National Book Award

Winner of the Boston Globe-Horn Book Fiction Award

Check out https://amazon.com/shop/influencer-20171115075 for Omega Cats Press books and book recommendations.