Summer Was a Fast Train Without Terminals

by Merlinda Bobis

An epic of the old Philippines, lyric reflections on longing, and an erotic dance drama make up this collection.

Genres: Poetry, Plays

203 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1998

About the author

Merlinda Bobis is an award-winning contemporary Philippine-Australian writer who has had 4 novels, 6 poetry books and a collection of short stories published, and 10 dramatic works performed. For her, ‘Writing visits like grace. Its greatest gift is the comfort if not the joy of transformation. In an inspired moment, we almost believe that anguish can be made bearable and injustice can be overturned, because they can be named. And if we’re lucky, joy can even be multiplied a hundredfold, so we may have reserves in the cupboard for the lean times.’

Born in Tabaco in the Philippines province of Albay, Merlinda Bobis attended Bicol University High School then completed her B.A. at Aquinas University in Legazpi City. She holds post-graduate degrees from the University of Santo Tomas and University of Wollongong where she taught Creative Writing for 21 years. She now lives and writes on Ngunnawal land (Canberra, Australia).

Her literary awards include the 2016 Christina Stead Prize for Fiction NSW Premier's Literary Award for her novel 'Locust Girl. A Lovesong'; three Philippine National Books Awards (2016: 'Locust Girl', 2014: 'Fish-Hair Woman', 2000: 'White Turtle'); 2013 MUBA: 'Fish-Hair Woman'; 2000 Steele Rudd Award for the Best Published Collection of Australian Short Stories: 'White Turtle'; 2006 Philippine National Balagtas Award for her poetry and prose (in English, Filipino and Bikol); 1998 Prix Italia, 1998 Australian Writers' Guild Award and 1995 Ian Reed Radio Drama Prize for her play 'Rita's Lullaby'; three Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards in Literature Poetry Category (2016: Second prize, 1989: Second, 1987: First). Her poetry collection, 'Accidents of Composition' was Highly Commended for the 2018 ACT Book of the Year.

Reviews

[auldlangsyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

BEAUTIFUL!

I loved most of the poems from the poetry collection of the first part, Word Gifts.

I absolutely loved the third part, and is my favorite out of all the collection, Cantata of the Warrior Woman Daragang Magayon. If it came as a separate book, I’d leave it a perfect rating. It is a beautiful, beautiful retelling of the Philippine legend of the Mount Mayon. In Bobis’ feminist retelling, the princess Daragang Magayon reclaims her identity as both a woman and a warrior. So much depth was given to our princess, and the women around her, the Datu her father, and the entire tribe! Such rich poetry to be able to weave the sociopolitical landscape of that time, alongside the magical realism that comes with myths. I was also personally fond of the story’s deep connection with water; the water goddess Magindara, the ritual of grief expressed in “sea-lives” and “moon-memory,” the guidance of the oracle and “drawing wisdom from the navel of the sea.” All soooo beautiful!

I found Promenade, the second part, which contains excerpts of a poetry-play dance—and is where the title of the book was derived—my least liked piece of the collection. It was alright, with its Part II as its strongest point.

Overall such a good reading experience. And my first book by Bobis, too—I can’t wait to read more of her works!

[Naori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review to come...

[beholding · Rating 3 out of 5]

But I am more than fruit that feeds the eye or mouth. Have you known me beyond skin, beyond name?