The Last Time I Saw Mother by Arlene J. Chai

A rendezvous of fact and sufficient fiction, The Last Time I Saw Mother can rightly take its place on the realism shelf. It is easy to mistake this novel for a biography when immersed in its pages. Arlene J. Chai effectively placed Philippine history and Caridad’s tale in concurrence. And a plot in synch is every reader’s underlying demand.

Author: Arlene J. Chai

Published: 1995

Synopsis

Living a quiet happy life in Australia with her daughter, Marla, is enough for Caridad. Despite an insistent void, a gap she couldn’t grasp, or felt she needed to, Caridad has long settled for how things were. But the obscure gap’s presence strengthens after her mother, Thelma, uncharacteristically took the time to send a letter only to beckon her home.

Alarmed by her mother’s odd action, she calls her cousin, Mia, expecting an urgent predicament. But Mia did nothing to reduce her anxiety. Mia knows something, but kept mum, reiterating Thelma’s request to come home. Because Thelma has something to say, something that no letter or phone call can effectively relay.

Reading Experience

It is not surprising to easily relate with The Last Time I Saw Mother. There are major boosts contributing to such a fine quality.

One is precise Philippine history synchronized with Caridad’s personal history. The struggle of the majority during the Martial Law isn’t misplaced. Moreover, Chai conveyed the general predicament by magnifying the dilemma of one family, and its impact on their lives.

The characters would be the second and most vital contributor to the novel’s relevance. They were given specific voices and identifiable personas. They are everyday people, minding their own lives. Readers might identify with them, or know someone like them.

However, finishing the book is a bit of a challenge. The story was told from perspectives of the deeply involved characters, which enhanced personality establishment. But this is an ambiguous trait. Telling it from different points of view necessitates focus shifting.

There were certain shifts that caught me off-guard and reduced my interest. Of course, cliffhangers are welcome but some were quite disarming, which can make the reader put the book down.

Perhaps the novel’s most notable feat is its presentation of a family secret; its elusive quality, its simple existence, the ease of its acceptance, and significance. Foolish to classify as either good or bad, but undeniably harsh for anyone to shoulder. To put it simply, the plot is an exploration of the gray area.

In Conclusion

This is one definitive example of realism. Accuracy with history and effective chronological plotting are both trademarks of this novel. Paired with great character development, readers will easily identify with the characters. It may not be fast-paced but undeniably a good addition for any reader’s reading selection.