What do you think?
Rate this book
Dumot
I hate it. Like the last kiss from a scorned one-nighter. Like the walls of inch-thick dirt that have been there for 14 years. Redundant conversations in a basement that echo for months on end. A staircase with old, stinky wood. Prime time kabobohan. 4-day old socks. Reflective surfaces in moments of discomfort. Blood all the wrong places. A painful gut. And just like the pain of process-oriented frustration, I hate it.
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
About the author
Alan Navarra
11 books25 followersNominee for 2007 Madrigal-Gonzalez Best First Book Award for "Girl Trouble" • Design Finalist in the 32nd National Book Awards for “Ang Panlimang Alas Ay Nakabaon Sa Iyong Dibdib”
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 21, 2013
Uniquely beautiful. The book is about young people's angst. The pages are littered with invective and angry words about so many things, even trivial ones, that we find and see in our surroundings. I am basically a positive person and I tend to overlook ome things that have been there as long as they don't affect me. But this book made me take a second look at them and that process gave me a re-discovery of the things that I have been taking for granted. Not that they make me angry or sad. Not that I enjoy being angry. This also works in reverse. To be angry is to realize that there are those things that can make you happy if you stay in the brighter side of things.
The book is composed of sketches and doodles, short angry phrases about so many things and some meaningless (for me, maybe I am old for this) symbols that I could not figure out. I just ignored those that I could not decipher and focused on the angry phrases. They seemed to be said by young people of today and I found myself relating to them because I have many young friends and some of them use those kinds of angry words. The choice of words by Navarra is contemporary and elitist. When he shifts to Tagalog, the timing is magical and it becomes more heartfelt. I don't know him so there is nothing for me to imagine while reading this book. But I got this impression that he could write a novel or something but he wanted to be different by having this kind of stylish book that is a breath of fresh air amidst the many drama, romance and family-oriented local books that are flooding us in the market.
Kudos, Navarra. My first book of yours and I am now looking to buying and reading all your other works. Well done, young man.
The book is composed of sketches and doodles, short angry phrases about so many things and some meaningless (for me, maybe I am old for this) symbols that I could not figure out. I just ignored those that I could not decipher and focused on the angry phrases. They seemed to be said by young people of today and I found myself relating to them because I have many young friends and some of them use those kinds of angry words. The choice of words by Navarra is contemporary and elitist. When he shifts to Tagalog, the timing is magical and it becomes more heartfelt. I don't know him so there is nothing for me to imagine while reading this book. But I got this impression that he could write a novel or something but he wanted to be different by having this kind of stylish book that is a breath of fresh air amidst the many drama, romance and family-oriented local books that are flooding us in the market.
Kudos, Navarra. My first book of yours and I am now looking to buying and reading all your other works. Well done, young man.
September 8, 2014
An insta-friend from 2013 Summer Komikon recommended this book, and the independent komiks like Crime-Fighting Call Center Agents to new releases of KikoMachine Komiks. This friend, meanwhile, told me that the book is a different creation – and he put this as a shelf-item or as a reading-on-hold-indefinitely, I am not sure.
If Php1.00 = 1 word for this book’s review, then I have to be frugal.
Word Check: 66
Mom (while I put my reading on hold for last 5 minutes) made an excerpt testing, and she then said, “Kilala mo may gawa nito? Pwede ko bang kausapin?
(Do you know this author? Can I have a word with him?)
It is through this book that I first excessively used the nonsense statement – “I DON’T EVEN!”
Example: If there is a genre for this creation – then it is I DON’T EVEN!
Word Check: 141
It seems that I cannot give justice to Alan Navarra’s work with the Php1.00/word. If you really want to be enlightened, then go to my blogsite. In the meantime – if you read the first 28 pages of the book you will have the same sentiment of shouting:
There, I said it.
If Php1.00 = 1 word for this book’s review, then I have to be frugal.
Word Check: 66
Mom (while I put my reading on hold for last 5 minutes) made an excerpt testing, and she then said, “Kilala mo may gawa nito? Pwede ko bang kausapin?
(Do you know this author? Can I have a word with him?)
It is through this book that I first excessively used the nonsense statement – “I DON’T EVEN!”
Example: If there is a genre for this creation – then it is I DON’T EVEN!
Word Check: 141
It seems that I cannot give justice to Alan Navarra’s work with the Php1.00/word. If you really want to be enlightened, then go to my blogsite. In the meantime – if you read the first 28 pages of the book you will have the same sentiment of shouting:
WHAT IS THIS BOOK, I CAN’T EVEN!!!
There, I said it.
February 26, 2013
Dumot by Alan Navarra is a nicely illustrated book to read to kill time. Some parts are quite confusing but I enjoy the angst driven character Michael Perez.
December 19, 2020
I finally finished reading this book. It was kind of difficult to read because of its intricate word dump. Despite that there's really nothing much to this book except how funny it is. It's visually pleasing and provides really nice points.
June 12, 2012
Dumot follows the success of Alan Navarra's previous book, Girl Trouble, a collection of personal angst in conjunction with our everyday frustrations, and sarcastic remarks towards others, particularly the abusive ones. For some, it may have juvenile tendencies because of its stark and blunt statements on hateful creatures and our inescapable bad days.
Written in a progression of resignation letters, application and interview forms, peppered with upset statements from A-Z, the collection makes an interesting read because of its non-linear and unconventional way of presentation and narration. As a reader, one must have the patience to carefully read each page, lest you skip a juicy part disguised in fine print.
Each of us have our own problems to deal with, people to talk to, and situations that annoy us to no end. Girl Trouble dealt with the pain of failed relationships, especially to that one girl who made your "panliligaw" phase hell, only to find yourself in the trash, and you see her with another douchebag several days later. Dumot, on the other hand, speaks of the corporate/working life of the majority. Yes, the ones who work in plush buildings in Makati, Ortigas, and other companies across the metro.
At some point, our working life becomes stagnant and toxic, making us feel that we don't have any growth if we stay in our field. In addition, we have our daily troubles in the forms of workmates, horrible bosses, and commuting in a crowded city. This is when everything starts to irritate us, to the point of quitting, and once we do, we don't make a silent exit. To me, this books feels like one of your close friends talking to you over beer, and you ranting about your aggravating moments, whether at work or in school.
Written in a progression of resignation letters, application and interview forms, peppered with upset statements from A-Z, the collection makes an interesting read because of its non-linear and unconventional way of presentation and narration. As a reader, one must have the patience to carefully read each page, lest you skip a juicy part disguised in fine print.
Each of us have our own problems to deal with, people to talk to, and situations that annoy us to no end. Girl Trouble dealt with the pain of failed relationships, especially to that one girl who made your "panliligaw" phase hell, only to find yourself in the trash, and you see her with another douchebag several days later. Dumot, on the other hand, speaks of the corporate/working life of the majority. Yes, the ones who work in plush buildings in Makati, Ortigas, and other companies across the metro.
At some point, our working life becomes stagnant and toxic, making us feel that we don't have any growth if we stay in our field. In addition, we have our daily troubles in the forms of workmates, horrible bosses, and commuting in a crowded city. This is when everything starts to irritate us, to the point of quitting, and once we do, we don't make a silent exit. To me, this books feels like one of your close friends talking to you over beer, and you ranting about your aggravating moments, whether at work or in school.
August 20, 2012
Angry, profane, and downright rude, this piece of art by Alan Navarra still manages to be eloquent, philosophical and, well, amusing.
Following the shattered thoughts of the fictional Michael Perez, we are privy to his letters of resignation to his various employers and other thoughts. The letters start out courteous, and then, as the book progresses gain momentum in bitterness and grow ever more profane than the last. Included in this collection of bitter thoughts are random thoughts of venom, disdain and disappointment with Michael’s corporate life space.
Most amusing of these collected bits of words are his replies to bogus text messages informing him of having won several hundred thousands of pesos.
What struck me the most however, in this pool of venom and hate, were his doodles portraying, as I perceive it, various states of decay. His doodles are organic and seem to be moving, degrading, and rotting right before the viewer’s eyes. This, of course, adds up to the book’s aura of negativity.
That said, this is not a book to read when you want something to brighten up your day. Although great fun when you’ve just had a very bad day at work or in school. Or you want to have a ready reference for any quick, poisonous reply to anyone who’s pissing you off.
It’s a bit difficult to follow though, with no plot; it’s basically just a collection of embittered resignation letters, thoughts, text messages, all arranged in an interesting post-modern layout. Hence, the three stars. Still, it has a story behind all the words, if one is patient enough to sift through them to find it.
All in all, the book lives up to its name Dumot, which in French means “The Word” and in Hiligaynon meaning, “Vindictiveness.” So, vindictive words. Sounds about right.
Following the shattered thoughts of the fictional Michael Perez, we are privy to his letters of resignation to his various employers and other thoughts. The letters start out courteous, and then, as the book progresses gain momentum in bitterness and grow ever more profane than the last. Included in this collection of bitter thoughts are random thoughts of venom, disdain and disappointment with Michael’s corporate life space.
Most amusing of these collected bits of words are his replies to bogus text messages informing him of having won several hundred thousands of pesos.
What struck me the most however, in this pool of venom and hate, were his doodles portraying, as I perceive it, various states of decay. His doodles are organic and seem to be moving, degrading, and rotting right before the viewer’s eyes. This, of course, adds up to the book’s aura of negativity.
That said, this is not a book to read when you want something to brighten up your day. Although great fun when you’ve just had a very bad day at work or in school. Or you want to have a ready reference for any quick, poisonous reply to anyone who’s pissing you off.
It’s a bit difficult to follow though, with no plot; it’s basically just a collection of embittered resignation letters, thoughts, text messages, all arranged in an interesting post-modern layout. Hence, the three stars. Still, it has a story behind all the words, if one is patient enough to sift through them to find it.
All in all, the book lives up to its name Dumot, which in French means “The Word” and in Hiligaynon meaning, “Vindictiveness.” So, vindictive words. Sounds about right.
September 14, 2014
"Dear banana-hating, attention-ass grabbing, whore squatting, vocabulary-lacking, rumor-spreading, racist-commenting, righteous blabbing, finger-pointing, standard-bearing, self promoting, crisis-stoking, credential-conscious, dignity-decreasing, embarrassment-admitting, insecurity-producing, social network trolling, blame-throwing backfire expert of a throbbing pain in the arse: please get off your face and eat your emotionally generic point of view off your own genitals without wasting our time and space. Thanks."
_______________________________________________________
Dumot is a Hiligaynon word that, in English means “vindictiveness” and in French, it means "the word."
A book about anger and hatred, something that a lot of people can relate to.
I love the angst and the choice of words. The sketches and the doodles were all done really well.
Kudos, Alan Navarra.
_______________________________________________________
Dumot is a Hiligaynon word that, in English means “vindictiveness” and in French, it means "the word."
A book about anger and hatred, something that a lot of people can relate to.
I love the angst and the choice of words. The sketches and the doodles were all done really well.
Kudos, Alan Navarra.
October 25, 2013
I had the mistake of reading this when I was in an extremely good mood. This features too much angst and anger that it exceeded my tolerance for negative emotions (which, FYI, can be very extensive.) I respect the author's views but the world can use a little more optimism and a little less sourgraping. The strengths of this work of art rely heavily on the author's eccentric styles and unrelenting artistry. This is really a book of design and one does not have an artist's meticulous eye to agree. Definitely original, groundbreaking and uncompromising.
April 4, 2015
'Parang message sending failed kahit may load ka.' Dumot means vindictivenes. Andaming angst nitong librong to, mas matindi sa Ang Panlimang Alas ay Nakabaon sa Iyong Diddib. But I love the choice of words haha. Unlike APAANSID na hindi ko tinapos, this has brighter graphics and kahit hindi mo masyadong dibdibin/iinhale yung mga words, okay lang, since wala namang story, puro angst lang which I did dinaanan ko nalang yung iba para di sumakit ulo ko haha! Di din naman kasi ako makarelate but Kudos to Navarra for this book! :)
August 2, 2013
I love the angst, the profanity, the hatred, the violence that this book have! It really influenced me and made my vocabulary of profane hunger-free. I just didn't enjoy reading the first few pages cause I thought that it's just a part of introduction or whatsoever. I also love the stickers!! lol
Read
November 25, 2015If you don't have much angst about life, this book might be good for you. Poetic. But real. And really painful dumot!
Artwork = superb.
Mixture of words = colossal.
Not for kids.
Artwork = superb.
Mixture of words = colossal.
Not for kids.
January 16, 2016
Such a rage-filled book. omg
March 3, 2016
Panalo yung concept, structure at illustrations!
May libreng stickers pa.
"Dumot" Ang sarap sabihin. "Dumot" haha
May libreng stickers pa.
"Dumot" Ang sarap sabihin. "Dumot" haha
June 23, 2013
It's an amazing epitaph to corporate violence.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews