Twisted 9

Twisted Series #9

by Jessica Zafra

Jessica Zafra lives in Manila with her three cats. Her column appears in the Philippine Star. For more information than you need, visit JessicaRulesTheUniverse.com.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, Essays, Short Stories

109 pages, Newsprint

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Jessica Zafra (born 1965) is a fiction writer, columnist, editor, publisher and former television and radio show host. She is known for her sharp and witty writing style. Her most popular books are the Twisted series, a collection of her essays as a columnist for newspaper Today (now Manila Standard Today), as well as from her time as editor and publisher of the magazine Flip. She currently writes a weekly column for The Philippine Star which is called, Emotional Weather Report. She resides in Metro Manila, Philippines, where she is working on her first novel. She also managed the Eraserheads during the 90's.

Her work often are about current events (both Philippine and international), tennis, movies, music, cats, books, technology and her personal life. Her work has been the subject of academic study. The main ingredient to her work is often fun cynicism and irony.

Find out more about her here.

Reviews

[Eliza Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't like Twisted 8 1/2 that much because it had more product reviews than thoughtful essays. I read Zafra's blog, and thought then, Well, maybe I should just read her blog than buy any more of her books. Twisted 9, however, was loaded with film reviews, social commentary, and slice-of-life observations - my kind of Twisted. I found it a satisfying read. The book is small enough for travel, so yes, buy this book. You can read it while waiting in line somewhere.

[Marielle Jian Aspa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shorter than most Twisted books, but still a fun read.

[Don Jaucian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly, for a thin book it packs a heavy punch.

[Irvin Sales · Rating 3 out of 5]

After Womenagerie and Age of Umbrage, I now arrive to my third Jessica Zafra book.

As I read the book I can't help but think if it would have made a difference if i read the Twisted series chronologically. It was difficult to identify what I truly feel with this book. It was a roller coaster ride. During the first chapters I can't understand her persistent namedropping of people who she just assumes that the reader know. She also uses a lot of words that an average person would not understand, or worse, wonder "is that really a word?". Seems a little pretentious, if you ask me.

But as I progress with the book I noticed that there is not a hint of pretentiousness in her tone. That's just the way she talks! And not dumbing down the words she uses is actually kind of flattering because she does not underestimate the reader's vocabulary.

Some articles i liked, some were okay, some i don't even care about it but she seems to care about it so let's give it a whirl.

I must say that Zafra is one badass of a writer. Give her a pen and a paper and she will write whatever she wants. This is a writer that does not bow down to anyone. She writes as she pleases; not to anyone but to herself.

No wonder why she's branded as a ruler.

[Moonbeam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not much care about the Nadal stories since I’m not a sporty person. But when she wrote about jazz and political pieces, my eyes were glued to this book.

The last part was also timely. When she talked about the Marcoses and how she cried when Cory died in 2009, it got me thinking this impact is still striking. I remember that sinking feeling when the first female president died even though I was just in 6th grade and didn’t really understood the gravity of martial law.

Now that late dictator Marcos’ son will soon assume the presidency, a part of me feels the agony that Zafra is feeling right now. I just wish she would write about it again.

[Derek Rodrigo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book contained more historical events than on Twisted 8 1/2, which was quite a bore for me. Nonetheless I appreciate her witty writing style & her mantras for life.

[Alden · Rating 2 out of 5]

Basically, Twisted 9 is a collection of Jessica Zafra’s essays on Emotional Weather Report, her weekly column in The Philippine Star. It consists of almost everything under the sun -- gadgets, sportsmen, cats, foods, movie and book reviews, even politics, and the likes.

When I read her previous Twisted series (which was Twisted 8 1/2), I gave it two stars. It was okay. I liked it. What I mean is, I liked the cover. It was black. Other than that, I found it a little bit boring, and Twisted 9 was practically the same as Twisted 8 1/2. Jessica Zafra is indeed a very witty and 'twisted' writer. But I guess she was not the type of my author. I'm not sure, maybe her other Twisted series were way better than the two. Perhaps the only topic that interested me on Twisted 9 was the death of Michael Jackson and Cory Aquino (which will be found on the last page!).

[Ivy Bernadette · Rating 2 out of 5]

For a particularly thin book with roughly a hundred page, this took me too long to read. I didn’t like it that much. What didn’t appeal to me was the long, dragging rants about tennis—something I know nothing about. It took about three or four sections in the book, and jeez, I can’t totally relate. I was really bored. Not very engaging for readers, eh?

Well, the author’s writing style was actually excellent; she has a craft for storytelling. I think it would be better if she’ll write stories rather than those draggy rants.

Twisted 9 is my first book from the Twisted series and from Jessica Zafra. I want to give her benefit of the doubt, because maybe I picked up a bad book from her, and maybe the others aren’t as bad as this. Will I read her other works? Hmm, let me see..

[Liezl · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me only a couple of hours to finish the book from cover to cover. I guess it paid off that I was at a milk tea shop and was killing some time. I loved the Sad, Sadder, Saddest since I'm drawn to stories about new wave and/or 80's groups. The other stories were quite interesting but not as interesting as the other Twisted books I've read. I also loved her story about Michael Jackson and Cory Aquino. Overall, I still think that this is a good read from one highly-respected writer and a local favourite of mine.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jessica Zafra's wry humor and her wide-ranging intellect (from her love of cats to attending near-empty concerts of New Wave acts past their prime) make her readers imagine her deadpan expression while uttering mental expletives with evil glee. Somehow it is refreshing to know how opinions can be blunt and wise yet enjoyable to read at the same time.

[Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vintage Zafra. Funny, witty, and compulsively readable.

[Ken Ignacio · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Didn't like this one as much as I did with her Twisted 8 1/2. It's a quick read and had lots of movie reviews, most of which I haven't heard of. I added them to my to-watch list. Thanks

[Joel Balaba]

y ws

[Minnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good companion while commuting.

[Alberta Adji · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just couldn't find any wittier and more brilliant essays than those of Jessica Zafra's.
She literally breathes life into words and strings them in the most beautiful melody.
I love how she manages to capture every bits of teeny-tiny edges, humour, obsessiveness and ironies of this happy happy sad wacky life.

[eLle]

Bought this book from a garage sale and a rare find indeed! I will look for the other Twisted books!