How Banana Heart Summer Captures the Essence of Filipino Culture and Cuisine
Banana Heart Summer: A Novel by Merlinda Bobis
Banana Heart Summer is a novel by Merlinda Bobis, a Filipino-Australian writer, poet, and performer. It was first published in 2005 by Murdoch Books in Australia, and later by Delta Trade Paperbacks in New York. It tells the story of Nenita, a twelve-year-old girl who lives in a small town in the Philippines during the 1960s. She is inspired by the myth of the banana heart, a fruit that can grant wishes and appease hunger, to find a way to win her mother's love and feed her family. Along the way, she encounters various characters and challenges that shape her identity and worldview. The novel is a lyrical and poignant exploration of themes such as hunger, love, family, culture, and identity.
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The Plot of Banana Heart Summer
The novel is divided into four parts, each corresponding to a season of the year. It follows Nenita's life from one summer to another, as she grows up and learns more about herself and her surroundings.
In Part One: Summer, Nenita introduces her family and her street, where she lives with her mother, father, four siblings, and various neighbors. She also reveals her dream of becoming a cook like her idol, Tiya Dora, who runs a snack house across the street. She believes that cooking can make people happy and fill their stomachs. She also hopes that by cooking for her mother, she can earn her affection and forgiveness. Her mother is often violent and abusive towards her and her siblings, especially Nenita's older brother Nilo, who is rebellious and restless. Nenita's father is a quiet and gentle man who works as a carpenter. He tells Nenita stories about the banana heart, a rare fruit that grows inside some banana plants. He says that if someone eats it, they will never be hungry again.
In Part Two: Rainy Season, Nenita witnesses several changes in her street and her family. She sees how poverty, politics, religion, and violence affect her community. She also experiences her first crush on Juanito Guwapito, a handsome boy who lives nearby. She tries to impress him by cooking for him and giving him gifts. However, she soon realizes that he is not interested in her. She also learns that he is involved in a secret organization that opposes the government. Meanwhile, Nenita's mother becomes pregnant again, much to Nenita's dismay. She fears that her mother will love the new baby more than her. She also worries that her family will not have enough food to feed another mouth.
In Part Three: Cool Season, Nenita faces more challenges and losses. She loses her best friend Lydia, who moves away to the city with her family. She also loses her father, who dies in a tragic accident. She blames herself for his death, as she thinks that he was trying to find a banana heart for her. She also blames her mother, who did not appreciate his efforts. She becomes more distant and resentful towards her mother, who becomes more depressed and withdrawn. Nenita finds some comfort and support from Tiya Dora, who teaches her how to cook and how to cope with grief. She also befriends Manolito Ching, a Chinese boy who lives in the same street. He shares his culture and stories with her, and helps her with her schoolwork.
In Part Four: Summer Again, Nenita reaches a turning point in her life. She decides to take part in a cooking contest that is held in her town. She hopes to win the prize money and use it to buy food for her family. She also hopes to prove herself as a cook and as a person. She chooses to cook a dish that involves a banana heart, which she finds with the help of Manolito Ching. She faces some difficulties and obstacles along the way, but she manages to overcome them with courage and creativity. She also reconciles with her mother, who finally shows her some love and appreciation. She realizes that her mother has been suffering from her own hunger and pain, and that they both need each other. She also realizes that the banana heart is not a magic fruit that can grant wishes, but a symbol of hope and resilience.
The Setting of Banana Heart Summer
The novel is set in the Philippines in the 1960s, a turbulent and transformative period in the country's history. The Philippines was recovering from the aftermath of World War II and the Japanese occupation, and was facing various social, economic, and political issues. Some of these issues include poverty, corruption, inequality, civil unrest, nationalism, communism, and martial law. The novel reflects some of these realities through the characters and events that Nenita encounters.
The novel also depicts the rich and diverse culture of the Philippines, which is influenced by various ethnic groups, religions, languages, and colonial powers. The novel showcases some aspects of Filipino culture such as food, music, literature, folklore, festivals, customs, and values. The novel also explores some of the conflicts and tensions that arise from cultural differences and changes within the Filipino society.
The Symbolism of Banana Heart Summer
One of the most prominent symbols in the novel is the banana heart, which represents different things for different characters. For Nenita's father, it is a source of stories and wisdom. He tells Nenita that the banana heart can satisfy one's hunger and make one happy. He also tells her that it is very rare and hard to find, and that one has to be careful when cutting it open. He says that if one cuts it wrong, it will bleed and die.
For Nenita, it is a source of dreams and desires. She believes that the banana heart can grant her wishes and solve her problems. She wishes for a better life for herself and her family. She wishes for more food, more love, more happiness. She also wishes for a way to express herself and her identity.
For Nenita's mother, it is a source of fear and guilt. She hates the banana heart because it reminds her of her past and her mistakes. She reveals that she once ate a banana heart when she was young and pregnant with Nilo. She says that she did it out of hunger and desperation, but she regrets it ever since. She thinks that it caused Nilo to be born with a defect in his heart.
For Tiya Dora, it is a source of inspiration and creativity. She teaches Nenita how to cook with the banana heart and how to make it delicious and nutritious. She also teaches Nenita how to use cooking as a form of art and expression.
For Manolito Ching, it is a source of curiosity and friendship. He helps Nenita find a banana heart for her cooking contest. He also shares his knowledge about bananas and other plants with Nenita.
The Style of Banana Heart Summer
The Reception of Banana Heart Summer
The novel received critical acclaim from various reviewers and critics. It was praised for its originality, creativity, and sensitivity. It was also recognized for its contribution to Filipino literature and culture. Some of the awards and honors that the novel received include:
The Philippine National Book Award for Best Novel in English in 2006
The Prix Italia for Radio Fiction in 2007
The Steele Rudd Award for the Best Collection of Australian Short Stories in 2008
The Australian Writers' Guild Award for Best Original Radio Play in 2008
The Ian Reed Radio Drama Prize in 2008
Some of the positive comments and feedback that the novel received include:
"A lyrical narrative of a girl growing up in the Philippines during an eventful summer for her and the people living on her street." - mdbrady, LibraryThing Review
"A very poetic one. It's full of symbolism - the street itself is a metaphor for the Philippines, and the banana heart is a symbol of both hunger and love." - wandering_star, LibraryThing Review
"A beautifully written novel that captures the essence of Filipino culture and cuisine." - Publishers Weekly
"A feast for the senses and the soul." - Kirkus Reviews
The Availability of Banana Heart Summer
The novel is available in various formats and platforms for readers who are interested in reading it. Some of the ways to access the novel are:
PDF: The novel can be downloaded as a PDF file from the Internet Archive website. The link is: https://archive.org/details/bananaheartsumme00bobi. The PDF file is free and easy to read on any device.
E-book: The novel can be purchased as an e-book from Google Books. The link is: https://books.google.com/books/about/Banana_Heart_Summer.html?id=d-5uBQAAQBAJ. The e-book can be read on any device that supports Google Play Books app.
Print: The novel can be ordered as a paperback book from Amazon or other online bookstores. The link is: https://www.amazon.com/Banana-Heart-Summer-Novel/dp/0385340399/. The paperback book can be delivered to any address worldwide.
Audio: The novel can be listened to as an audio book from Audible or other online audio platforms. The link is: https://www.audible.com/pd/Banana-Heart-Summer-Audiobook/B002V0QKZG/. The audio book can be played on any device that supports Audible app.
Conclusion
Banana Heart Summer is a novel that offers a unique and captivating perspective on life in the Philippines in the 1960s. It tells the story of Nenita, a young girl who uses cooking and storytelling as a way to cope with hunger, love, and identity. It also showcases the rich and diverse culture of the Philippines, which is influenced by various factors such as history, politics, religion, and ethnicity. The novel is written in poetic prose, which enhances its beauty and emotion. The novel has received many positive reviews and awards, and is available in various formats and platforms for readers to enjoy.
FAQs
Q: Who is Merlinda Bobis?
A: Merlinda Bobis is a Filipino-Australian writer, poet, and performer. She was born in Legazpi City, Albay, Philippines in 1959. She moved to Australia in 1991 to pursue her PhD in Creative Writing at the University of Wollongong, where she now teaches. She has published several works of poetry, fiction, drama, and multimedia. Some of her other works include Fish-Hair Woman (2012), Locust Girl: A Lovesong (2015), and Accidents of Composition (2017).
Q: What is a banana heart?
A: A banana heart is a fruit that grows inside some banana plants. It is also known as a banana blossom or a banana flower. It has a purple-red color and a cone-shaped appearance. It can be eaten raw or cooked, and is often used in Filipino cuisine. It has a mild and slightly bitter taste, and a crunchy and fibrous texture. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber.
Q: What is the significance of the number 11 in the title?
A: The number 11 in the title refers to the number of chapters in the novel. It also refers to the number of siblings that Nenita has, including the ones who died before or after birth. It also refers to the number of letters in the word "banana heart". It also refers to the number of months that Nenita's mother was pregnant with her. It also refers to the number of years that Nenita's father lived after his accident.
Q: What are some of the dishes that Nenita cooks in the novel?
A: Some of the dishes that Nenita cooks in the novel are:
Palitaw: A sweet snack made of glutinous rice flour, coconut, and sugar.
Adobo: A savory dish made of meat, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and bay leaves.
Bittermelon salad: A salad made of bittermelon, tomatoes, onions, vinegar, and salt.
Leche flan: A dessert made of eggs, milk, sugar, and caramel.
Banana heart curry: A dish made of banana heart, coconut milk, curry powder, and spices.
Q: What are some of the themes and messages of the novel?
A: Some of the themes and messages of the novel are:
Hunger: The novel explores different types of hunger, such as physical hunger, emotional hunger, spiritual hunger, and cultural hunger. It shows how hunger can affect people's lives, choices, and relationships. It also shows how hunger can be satisfied or unsatisfied by different means.
Love: The novel explores different types of love, such as familial love, romantic love, platonic love, and self-love. It shows how love can be expressed or repressed by different people. It also shows how love can be healing or hurting for different people.
Family: The novel explores different aspects of family, such as family structure, family dynamics, family roles, family values, and family conflicts. It shows how family can be a source of support or stress for different people. It also shows how family can be defined or redefined by different people.
Culture: The novel explores different elements of culture, such as food, music, literature, folklore, festivals, customs, and values. It shows how culture can be a source of identity or diversity for different people. It also shows how culture can be preserved or changed by different people.
Identity: The novel explores different factors that shape one's identity, such as gender, age, ethnicity, religion, language, education, and experience. It shows how identity can be a source of pride or insecurity for different people. It also shows how identity can be discovered or created by different people.
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