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The Solemn Lantern Maker by Merlinda Bobis

In Manila, Noland, a young mute, makes lanterns and sells them at a busy intersection. He makes the shimmering items himself while dreaming of stars and angels.

The Solemn Lantern Maker (Merlinda Bobis, Pier 9, $26.95 pb, ISBN 9781741960785, March) ****

In Manila, Noland, a young mute, makes lanterns and sells them at a busy intersection. He makes the shimmering items himself while dreaming of stars and angels. It is near Christmas when he and his older friend Elvis witness a shooting and drag an American woman away from the scene. Noland sees an angel but his mother thinks she’ll only bring bad luck. Contrasts are played out between this poor family in the slums and the rich Americans and Filipino businesspeople who occupy the nearby city. Soon the world is alert to the ‘kidnapping’ of an American woman through a supposed terrorist ring or religious cult. Merlina Bobis poignantly contrasts the opinions of ethnocentric Americans with those that care but still do nothing. Small subplots are deeply moving, such as Elvis’ blasé attitude (covering a deep sadness) at his necessity to prostitute himself to survive. There are a few times when Bobis’ prose and dialogue are a little obvious, but the reader shares her anger and passion for the unfairness and confusion of it all. Definitely a solemn read, but a lasting and meaningful one. For fans of Andrew McGahan’s Underground, Robert Drewe’s Grace or Gail Jones’ Sorry.

Angela Meyer is a writer, honours student and bookseller http://literaryminded.blogspot.com