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The Son of Good Fortune
Excel spends his days trying to seem like an unremarkable American teenager. But Excel knows that his family is far from normal. His mother, Maxima, was once a Filipina B-movie action star who now makes her living scamming men online. The old man they live with is not his grandfather, but Maxima’s lifelong martial arts trainer. And years ago, on Excel’s tenth birthday, Maxima revealed a secret that he must keep forever. “We are ‘TNT’—tago ng tago,” she told him, “hiding and hiding.” Excel is undocumented—and one accidental slip could uproot his entire life.
Casting aside the paranoia and secrecy of his childhood, Excel takes a leap, joining Sab on a journey south to a ramshackle desert town called Hello City. Populated by drifters, old hippies, and washed-up techies—and existing outside the normal constructs of American society—Hello City offers Excel a chance to forge his own path for the first time. But after so many years of trying to be invisible, who does he want to become? And is it possible to put down roots in a country that has always considered you an outsider?
Casting aside the paranoia and secrecy of his childhood, Excel takes a leap, joining Sab on a journey south to a ramshackle desert town called Hello City. Populated by drifters, old hippies, and washed-up techies—and existing outside the normal constructs of American society—Hello City offers Excel a chance to forge his own path for the first time. But after so many years of trying to be invisible, who does he want to become? And is it possible to put down roots in a country that has always considered you an outsider?
304 pages, Hardcover
First published July 7, 2020
134 people are currently reading
6072 people want to read
About the author
Lysley Tenorio
5 books133 followersLysley Tenorio is the author of the novel THE SON OF GOOD FORTUNE and the story collection MONSTRESS, named a book of the year by the San Francisco Chronicle. He is the recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship, a Whiting Award, a Stegner fellowship, and the Rome Prize from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, as well as residencies from the MacDowell Colony, Yaddo, and the Bogliasco Foundation. His stories have appeared in the Atlantic, Zoetrope: All-Story, and Ploughshares, and have been adapted for the stage by The American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco and the Ma-Yi Theater in New York City. He is a professor at Saint Mary’s College of California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 293 reviews
September 2, 2020
Whether or not Excel, the nineteen year old undocumented Filipino, is a son of good fortune depends on which meaning of fortune is considered. Wealth or riches : no he’s definitely not a son of good fortune in this respect. He owes $10,000 for damages he caused at a place he fled to for several months, lying to his mother saying he had a job in the desert. His mother, Maxima, a martial arts expert of sorts and former star in Filipino action movies, works the computer preying on men’s sympathies for money to pay for their rent and living expenses. Chance or luck: a chance for him to be born in the US failed when she gave birth to Excel in mid air. Luck: well maybe a little. They have not been caught by the INS. Fate: we’ll never know his fate, really, but we do learn what kind of person Excel turns out to be in this coming of age novel - a good person with heart who loves his mother and while his identity is in question, he comes to know who he is.
This is a quirky, sad, touching and so relevant story of undocumented immigrants living in Colma, small town near San Francisco. The chapters move around in time from the recent past when Excel leaves his mother, to a sad past when as a ten year old boy, he is quiet and lonely, avoiding connections and friendships because he must never tell anyone that he is “TNT- tango ng tago - hiding and hiding.” “I’m not here. I’m not really here.” It comes back to the present where Maxima involves Excel in her work in order to get him the money he needs. Excel learns that family matters, people you do connect with matter. So in some way, Excel is a son of fortune with the riches of his mother’s love and the heart he needed to show kindness to someone in need. I finished the book really caring about Excel and Maxima, and wanting to know what happens to them after the last page, as I got a glimpse of what it might be like for so many immigrants here looking for a better life.
I received a copy of this book from Ecco through Edelweiss.
This is a quirky, sad, touching and so relevant story of undocumented immigrants living in Colma, small town near San Francisco. The chapters move around in time from the recent past when Excel leaves his mother, to a sad past when as a ten year old boy, he is quiet and lonely, avoiding connections and friendships because he must never tell anyone that he is “TNT- tango ng tago - hiding and hiding.” “I’m not here. I’m not really here.” It comes back to the present where Maxima involves Excel in her work in order to get him the money he needs. Excel learns that family matters, people you do connect with matter. So in some way, Excel is a son of fortune with the riches of his mother’s love and the heart he needed to show kindness to someone in need. I finished the book really caring about Excel and Maxima, and wanting to know what happens to them after the last page, as I got a glimpse of what it might be like for so many immigrants here looking for a better life.
I received a copy of this book from Ecco through Edelweiss.
May 3, 2021
Very interesting coming-0f-age novel about an undocumented Filippino family in Oakland, CA. I enjoyed this one a lot. The themes of truth-untruth and real-fake as well as the focus on words (Z's dictionary, the many reflections on the H in Hello City, the spelling bee story) all blend together into an interesting narrative. Excel does manage to charm us despite his timidity, and we really hope that he and Sab will work things out. As for his mom, she was a great character - so fun to read!
There are lots of good ideas in this debut novel, surely Tenorio is off to a great start.
Excel and Maxima are vividly drawn and their plight as undocumented immigrants is a great compliment to the more autobiographical The Undocumented Americans which I feel is also a very important work on a similar subject. Another nice aspect of the book is the view we get into Filipino culture and idioms.
There are lots of good ideas in this debut novel, surely Tenorio is off to a great start.
Excel and Maxima are vividly drawn and their plight as undocumented immigrants is a great compliment to the more autobiographical The Undocumented Americans which I feel is also a very important work on a similar subject. Another nice aspect of the book is the view we get into Filipino culture and idioms.
August 28, 2021
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A few weeks ago I read Lysley Tenorio's collection of short stories, which had some real gems such as 'Monstress', and I was looking forward to reading his first novel. The Son of Good Fortune follows nineteen-year old Excel who is forced to move back in his mother's apartment after his girlfriend tells him that she needs a break. Excel finds himself falling into the same life he'd left behind, working at The Pie Who Loved Me, and trying to save money. His relationship with his mother, Maxima, is tense. He lied about his motives for moving out and avoided contacting her while he was with Sab in Hello City (a community of artists and hippies).
On Excel's tenth birthday Maxima told him that they were 'tago ng tago' (TNT) a Tagalog phrase meaning 'hiding and hiding' that is used for undocumented Filipinos. Since then Excel has tried to keep his head down. Being undocumented means that he has very few job prospects and his forced to work at a dodgy pizzeria for a bullying and tyrannical boss who frequently threatens his staff with deportation. Maxima instead makes money online, manipulating gullible men who are seeking Filipino women (who of course have to be beautiful, Christian, and simultaneously pious and sexy).
Tenorio renders the anxiety of being TNT (not being able to go to the hospital, worrying that at any moment you might be found out). While Maxima grew up in the Philippines, and still has strong ties to it, its culture, and its language, Excel's unusual birth place lands him in a limbo of sorts, not 'quite' American or Filipino, a citizen of nowhere.
I liked Tenorio's compassionate yet humorous account of Excel and Maxima's lives. He depicts the everyday reality of being undocumented in America, of having to constantly 'hide', of being unable to define your identity, of not feeling safe and of feeling like you don’t belong.
Maxima easily stole the show. She was an explosive character. She's acted in some somewhat dated Filipino action films, she's a pro at martial arts (she even has a signature move called the 'Maximattack'), and she clearly loves and wants to protect Excel. She's not be perfect, and Tenorio isn't afraid to question her actions, especially the way she exploits men online. And yet, I was rooting for the succeed since Maxima is just trying to survive. We get to know her mentor, Joker, only through flashbacks, which is a pity since he seemed like a really interesting—if eccentric—character.
Excel was far less compelling that his mother. While we are shown that he's unsure of who he is or where he belongs, I never really had a grasp of his character. While I could understand his passivity in certain situations, I found myself wishing he had more of a personality.
Sab, his girlfriend, appears in very few scenes. After their one meeting they seem to be an item, but their relationship seemed closer to that between a brother and sister than boyfriend and girlfriend. In the chapters set in Hello City she seems to play a minor role, as most scenes focus on the Excel's odd-jobs with an artist called Red. She’s little other than a 'I'm not like other girls' girl (she wears DocMartens and has blue stripes in her hair).
While I did appreciate the empathy Tenorio demonstrated in exploring themes of identity, displacement, immigration, family history, and human connection, I was left wanting more out of his main character. If this had been Maxima's story, I would have undoubtedly loved it.
“One of the perks of being born neither in America or the Philippines. The only history he needed to know was his own.”
A few weeks ago I read Lysley Tenorio's collection of short stories, which had some real gems such as 'Monstress', and I was looking forward to reading his first novel. The Son of Good Fortune follows nineteen-year old Excel who is forced to move back in his mother's apartment after his girlfriend tells him that she needs a break. Excel finds himself falling into the same life he'd left behind, working at The Pie Who Loved Me, and trying to save money. His relationship with his mother, Maxima, is tense. He lied about his motives for moving out and avoided contacting her while he was with Sab in Hello City (a community of artists and hippies).
On Excel's tenth birthday Maxima told him that they were 'tago ng tago' (TNT) a Tagalog phrase meaning 'hiding and hiding' that is used for undocumented Filipinos. Since then Excel has tried to keep his head down. Being undocumented means that he has very few job prospects and his forced to work at a dodgy pizzeria for a bullying and tyrannical boss who frequently threatens his staff with deportation. Maxima instead makes money online, manipulating gullible men who are seeking Filipino women (who of course have to be beautiful, Christian, and simultaneously pious and sexy).
Tenorio renders the anxiety of being TNT (not being able to go to the hospital, worrying that at any moment you might be found out). While Maxima grew up in the Philippines, and still has strong ties to it, its culture, and its language, Excel's unusual birth place lands him in a limbo of sorts, not 'quite' American or Filipino, a citizen of nowhere.
I liked Tenorio's compassionate yet humorous account of Excel and Maxima's lives. He depicts the everyday reality of being undocumented in America, of having to constantly 'hide', of being unable to define your identity, of not feeling safe and of feeling like you don’t belong.
Maxima easily stole the show. She was an explosive character. She's acted in some somewhat dated Filipino action films, she's a pro at martial arts (she even has a signature move called the 'Maximattack'), and she clearly loves and wants to protect Excel. She's not be perfect, and Tenorio isn't afraid to question her actions, especially the way she exploits men online. And yet, I was rooting for the succeed since Maxima is just trying to survive. We get to know her mentor, Joker, only through flashbacks, which is a pity since he seemed like a really interesting—if eccentric—character.
Excel was far less compelling that his mother. While we are shown that he's unsure of who he is or where he belongs, I never really had a grasp of his character. While I could understand his passivity in certain situations, I found myself wishing he had more of a personality.
Sab, his girlfriend, appears in very few scenes. After their one meeting they seem to be an item, but their relationship seemed closer to that between a brother and sister than boyfriend and girlfriend. In the chapters set in Hello City she seems to play a minor role, as most scenes focus on the Excel's odd-jobs with an artist called Red. She’s little other than a 'I'm not like other girls' girl (she wears DocMartens and has blue stripes in her hair).
While I did appreciate the empathy Tenorio demonstrated in exploring themes of identity, displacement, immigration, family history, and human connection, I was left wanting more out of his main character. If this had been Maxima's story, I would have undoubtedly loved it.
July 18, 2020
“I am not really here.” That is the disturbing realization of Excel from the time he was 10 and learned that he and his mother Maxima were TNT. In Tagalog that stands for tago ng tago or hiding and hiding because they are undocumented. Maxima came to California from the Philippines when she was pregnant. Unfortunately, Excel was born on the plane and not in the United States. The book gives a good picture of life for people who can’t get identification, social security numbers, driver’s licenses or anything else that will enable them to get a decent job. It describes the fear of doing anything that will draw attention to yourself, including going to a hospital or dentist. Maxima is currently getting money from gullible men she meets online. Excel has a demoralizing job working for a tyrant in a pizza place.
Unfortunately, I found most of this book to be a bland and boring coming of age story. Part of my problem with the book was that I listened to the audiobook and the narrator made the 19 year old Excel sound too young and I didn’t like the voices he used for most of the other characters (especially Excel’s girlfriend Sab). I expected to like this more than I did. It was just ok for me. 3.5 stars
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
Unfortunately, I found most of this book to be a bland and boring coming of age story. Part of my problem with the book was that I listened to the audiobook and the narrator made the 19 year old Excel sound too young and I didn’t like the voices he used for most of the other characters (especially Excel’s girlfriend Sab). I expected to like this more than I did. It was just ok for me. 3.5 stars
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
December 17, 2022
[4+] Tenorio writes powerfully about the daily insecurities Excel and his mother Maxima face. As undocumented immigrants, one slip-up could mean deportation. The sacrifices they are forced to make are heartbreaking. Maxima, a former B-movie action star, is fiercely protective of her son and is a fascinating character. I'd be happy to read a sequel of this excellent novel.
January 24, 2021
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I really enjoyed this unusual story of an undocumented Filipino and his mother. I was hooked from page 1 as we witness Maxima’s webcam act of enticing men over the internet to be interested in her and bilking them for dollars. What a way to make a living!
But it is the narrative of her 18 year old son Excel that ends up being the bigger storyline. A young recently graduated from high school undocumented boy who looks young for his age is trying to find his place in the world. His love for Sab and their weird life together took me to a new level of understanding how hard it can be for some young people, especially undocumented ones, to find their way. Excel ends up returning to the home where he grew up and to his mother, Maxima. The plot only gets thicker from there.
I will remember Excel long after I’ve put this one down.
Thank you Net Galley and Harper Collins for the opportunity to read and review this ARC
I really enjoyed this unusual story of an undocumented Filipino and his mother. I was hooked from page 1 as we witness Maxima’s webcam act of enticing men over the internet to be interested in her and bilking them for dollars. What a way to make a living!
But it is the narrative of her 18 year old son Excel that ends up being the bigger storyline. A young recently graduated from high school undocumented boy who looks young for his age is trying to find his place in the world. His love for Sab and their weird life together took me to a new level of understanding how hard it can be for some young people, especially undocumented ones, to find their way. Excel ends up returning to the home where he grew up and to his mother, Maxima. The plot only gets thicker from there.
I will remember Excel long after I’ve put this one down.
Thank you Net Galley and Harper Collins for the opportunity to read and review this ARC
April 24, 2020
Excel and his mother, Maxima, live in the shadows in Colma outside San Francisco. Undocumented, constantly watching their backs lest they be found out and returned to the Philippines, well, returned in the case of Maxima, sent for the first time in the case of Excel as the circumstances of his birth won't survive scrutiny. Whatever can be said of Maxima, she has raised a prize in Excel. A young man of 19 who can pass for much younger, but who has a strong moral compass. She notes that she had been housed, not raised, But for better or worse, she raised Excel. Although an easy read, this book grabbed me from page one.
June 26, 2020
I absolutely loved this book! I loved the writing, the characters, and the heartwarming ending. It really got me out of my reading slump. It's a little bit offbeat and delightfully unique. I thought the strained mother and son relationship was strong from the beginning. Excel and Maxima really felt like family. This story follows Excel who's an illegal immigrant living in California with his con-artist mom. I liked how the story flips from present day to Excel's difficult childhood. Excel tries to make a better life for himself which isn't easy since he's terrified him of being deported at the drop of a hat. I found him relatable. He's a good egg. This book was like a big hug. It will definitely put a smile on your face.
Thank you, Netgalley and Harper Collins for the digital ARC.
Release date: July 7, 2020
Thank you, Netgalley and Harper Collins for the digital ARC.
Release date: July 7, 2020
June 21, 2020
The Son of Good Fortune follows Excel, a young undocumented Filipino (or TNT) man, and his mother, Maxima. Maxima came to the US nineteen years ago, just as Excel was being born. She raised him alongside a family friend, and the story begins as Excel returns home after almost a year of being away. We follow two timelines—one past, as Excel leaves his mother to go live with his girlfriend in a small desert community, and one present, after Excel returns and is in need of $10,000.
This is a story about family, sacrifice, hope, and figuring out who you are and what defines you. Because of his family's undocumented status, Excel has always felt like a ghost and never wanted to bring attention to himself (or his mother). He has never excelled, as his name suggests, because he doesn't want to be in the spotlight. He is very loyal, introspective, patient, and protective. I found these same traits in Tenorio's writing—it is very languid, calm, and self-reflective. While Excel might not share his thoughts often, we are treated to his thought process, and learn how he guides himself and his behavior. His frustration and strength lay bubbling beneath his calm exterior, and I loved how Tenorio reflected that in the way he wrote. It forms a very solid structure to help the reader understand how being undocumented has affected Excel's life.
I also loved Maxima, Excel's mother. She is such a unique and STRONG woman—literally! She is a martial arts expert, and starred in Filipino action moves back when she lived in Manila. So cool! She is so dedicated to Excel, and is willing to help him, whatever it may take, which ends up forming a large part of the narrative.
I think that a really interesting part of this narrative, besides Tenorio's evocative representation of what it means to be undocumented in the Filipino community, was the vision of family, and what it could mean. Maxima and Excel work together to trick an America, and in that process, they pretend to be a struggling family in the Philippines that is religious, earnest, and goal-oriented, to fit into this person's idea of what the "proper" poor, but upwards-striving, family should be. This person thinks that if you work hard and get an education, you can improve your situation. Yet if this person had known their real struggles, he would not pity or help them, even though their hardship is just as valid. This whole situation shows the thin line between what is viewed as “right” and “wrong” by some, and the ignorance of the idea that if you work hard enough, you’ll succeed.
There is a lot to examine in this book, and many different ideas to unpack. I think it would make for a good classroom read in high school, or even college. Yet what shines through is a story of family—the one we have and the ones we hope for, and all that we’ll do to protect them. I would highly recommend this book, and I thank Ecco and Netgalley for providing my with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is a story about family, sacrifice, hope, and figuring out who you are and what defines you. Because of his family's undocumented status, Excel has always felt like a ghost and never wanted to bring attention to himself (or his mother). He has never excelled, as his name suggests, because he doesn't want to be in the spotlight. He is very loyal, introspective, patient, and protective. I found these same traits in Tenorio's writing—it is very languid, calm, and self-reflective. While Excel might not share his thoughts often, we are treated to his thought process, and learn how he guides himself and his behavior. His frustration and strength lay bubbling beneath his calm exterior, and I loved how Tenorio reflected that in the way he wrote. It forms a very solid structure to help the reader understand how being undocumented has affected Excel's life.
I also loved Maxima, Excel's mother. She is such a unique and STRONG woman—literally! She is a martial arts expert, and starred in Filipino action moves back when she lived in Manila. So cool! She is so dedicated to Excel, and is willing to help him, whatever it may take, which ends up forming a large part of the narrative.
I think that a really interesting part of this narrative, besides Tenorio's evocative representation of what it means to be undocumented in the Filipino community, was the vision of family, and what it could mean. Maxima and Excel work together to trick an America, and in that process, they pretend to be a struggling family in the Philippines that is religious, earnest, and goal-oriented, to fit into this person's idea of what the "proper" poor, but upwards-striving, family should be. This person thinks that if you work hard and get an education, you can improve your situation. Yet if this person had known their real struggles, he would not pity or help them, even though their hardship is just as valid. This whole situation shows the thin line between what is viewed as “right” and “wrong” by some, and the ignorance of the idea that if you work hard enough, you’ll succeed.
There is a lot to examine in this book, and many different ideas to unpack. I think it would make for a good classroom read in high school, or even college. Yet what shines through is a story of family—the one we have and the ones we hope for, and all that we’ll do to protect them. I would highly recommend this book, and I thank Ecco and Netgalley for providing my with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 9, 2020
"The Son Of Good Fortune" follows Excel. He spends his days trying to be out of the spotlight. Why? On his tenth birthday his mother, Maxima told him their biggest secret. "We are TNT" which means hiding and hiding. Both of them are undocumented and one mistake could lead to his life being over. After coming back from Hello City, Excel spends more time with his mom- ex movie star and online scammer of men. The two had never had a close bond but throughout the story, this book highlights the relationship between a son and mother, only hoping to give her child a better life.
Wow. This book was so moving. Maxima, a mother who left her country on money made from scamming men online has tried to do nothing but get her son a good life. Excel was a very quiet, yet also strong character. Getting abused in his workplace was heartbreaking to read about and seeing his way of coping by thinking "I'm not here. I'm not here." was absolutely stunning. The well developed characters in this story were all carried out very well by the author's writing. The book was very slow in the beginning but I appreciated that because it really highlighted the process of laying low. Near the end of the book was my favorite. Maxima and Excel share a moment: one where he realizes that his mom has done more for him than he has ever realized. I'm so glad the author included the last scene in the book because it wrapped up the book so well- Maxima wanting to go back home because Excel has done well in America was such a bittersweet moment. This moment hit hard for me because my parents immigrated for me too, and left their country with no other hopes beside building a future for their children- just like Maxima. The author did a great job at showing how strong the parents that left their home country for their children are. Wrapping it up, this book was beautiful, a review would not do this book justice unless you read it.
Overall, a stunning story of a mother and son's bond living in a country they don't know is home or not, this book was carried out well and was so moving. I recommend to everyone.
Wow. This book was so moving. Maxima, a mother who left her country on money made from scamming men online has tried to do nothing but get her son a good life. Excel was a very quiet, yet also strong character. Getting abused in his workplace was heartbreaking to read about and seeing his way of coping by thinking "I'm not here. I'm not here." was absolutely stunning. The well developed characters in this story were all carried out very well by the author's writing. The book was very slow in the beginning but I appreciated that because it really highlighted the process of laying low. Near the end of the book was my favorite. Maxima and Excel share a moment: one where he realizes that his mom has done more for him than he has ever realized. I'm so glad the author included the last scene in the book because it wrapped up the book so well- Maxima wanting to go back home because Excel has done well in America was such a bittersweet moment. This moment hit hard for me because my parents immigrated for me too, and left their country with no other hopes beside building a future for their children- just like Maxima. The author did a great job at showing how strong the parents that left their home country for their children are. Wrapping it up, this book was beautiful, a review would not do this book justice unless you read it.
Overall, a stunning story of a mother and son's bond living in a country they don't know is home or not, this book was carried out well and was so moving. I recommend to everyone.
August 30, 2020
The Son of Good Fortune
The Son of Good Fortune is an immersive and character driven story about the harsh realities of being an undocumented immigrant in the US. Tenorio brilliantly narrates how the paranoia of being discovered for fear of deportation affects families and the children of these immigrants, while struggling to survive.
This story is centered in Maxima, a B actress from the Philippines who came to America to escape exploitation and a dwindling acting career. While on the plane, from Manila to San Francisco, a very pregnant Maxima delivers a baby boy Excel. At 10 years old, Excel learns from her mother that they are both undocumented immigrants hiding in plain sight a TNT, which is a mnemonic for the Tagalog term for ‘Tago Nang Tago’ or Hiding and Hiding.
This harsh realization of their status affects Excel in so many ways where “I am not really here” affects his identity and the relationships he has had throughout since. Keeping such a secret that had been ingrained by her mother for fear of discovery and their lives being uprooted only to be sent away when discovered.
This stunning story touched my heart being a first generation immigrant myself. As I read the passages, this story resonated with the sacrifices my parents had to go through for their children to have a better life and future.
Living in Los Angeles , I knew of neighbors and friends who were undocumented, and how they lived in fear everyday, have menial jobs, suffer through injustice and abuse, unable to report or say anything in fear of being reported, only to survive another day. This book touched upon the all so real experiences of these families through Maxima and Excel’s stories. This truly was an incredibly well written immigrant story.
I was able to listen to this book in audio as wonderfully narrated by Reuben Uy. The voices were so distinct for each character, and the accents were amazing and done so well. It definitely added to my reading experience listening to this in audio. There were many parts I became quite emotional, and I highly recommend this in audio!
The Son of Good Fortune is an immersive and character driven story about the harsh realities of being an undocumented immigrant in the US. Tenorio brilliantly narrates how the paranoia of being discovered for fear of deportation affects families and the children of these immigrants, while struggling to survive.
This story is centered in Maxima, a B actress from the Philippines who came to America to escape exploitation and a dwindling acting career. While on the plane, from Manila to San Francisco, a very pregnant Maxima delivers a baby boy Excel. At 10 years old, Excel learns from her mother that they are both undocumented immigrants hiding in plain sight a TNT, which is a mnemonic for the Tagalog term for ‘Tago Nang Tago’ or Hiding and Hiding.
This harsh realization of their status affects Excel in so many ways where “I am not really here” affects his identity and the relationships he has had throughout since. Keeping such a secret that had been ingrained by her mother for fear of discovery and their lives being uprooted only to be sent away when discovered.
This stunning story touched my heart being a first generation immigrant myself. As I read the passages, this story resonated with the sacrifices my parents had to go through for their children to have a better life and future.
Living in Los Angeles , I knew of neighbors and friends who were undocumented, and how they lived in fear everyday, have menial jobs, suffer through injustice and abuse, unable to report or say anything in fear of being reported, only to survive another day. This book touched upon the all so real experiences of these families through Maxima and Excel’s stories. This truly was an incredibly well written immigrant story.
I was able to listen to this book in audio as wonderfully narrated by Reuben Uy. The voices were so distinct for each character, and the accents were amazing and done so well. It definitely added to my reading experience listening to this in audio. There were many parts I became quite emotional, and I highly recommend this in audio!
June 15, 2021
I am putting bullet points as this book is to be discussed with some bookish friends over the next two weeks of June:
> Joker is heart. Like a cool grandpa and master in Karate Kid
> Pamintang durog = drives the deers away
> Maximattack = must remember
> Takteng pelikula naalala ko Cynthia Luster bigla na may tsako
> Sorry not sorry for Sab pero ano ka neng, trying hard MPDG eh sadgurl manipulative naman? Ikaw pala dahilan ng one star
> Monstress vibes on the movie on mute for some reason smh medyo surreal and sad
> What's with Russian kontrabida? Almost white ang plot device for a Fil-am author. Also a reason for that one star.
> MUST REMEMBER THE THRILL ON THE LAST THREE CHAPTERS, WORTHY TO REMEMBER AY!!!
> Umuwi at uuwi, nice contrasts for being in two places at once. Same with jetlag.
> Lysley's writing is not forced, and not trying hard, unlike the Eczema adventure in Castillo's America is not the heart.
> Excel can live. Maraming mga bata sa US na undocumented but lived and got through with life. Muscle of the hustle, yow, you just YOLO.
> Joker is heart. Like a cool grandpa and master in Karate Kid
> Pamintang durog = drives the deers away
> Maximattack = must remember
> Takteng pelikula naalala ko Cynthia Luster bigla na may tsako
> Sorry not sorry for Sab pero ano ka neng, trying hard MPDG eh sadgurl manipulative naman? Ikaw pala dahilan ng one star
> Monstress vibes on the movie on mute for some reason smh medyo surreal and sad
> What's with Russian kontrabida? Almost white ang plot device for a Fil-am author. Also a reason for that one star.
> MUST REMEMBER THE THRILL ON THE LAST THREE CHAPTERS, WORTHY TO REMEMBER AY!!!
> Umuwi at uuwi, nice contrasts for being in two places at once. Same with jetlag.
> Lysley's writing is not forced, and not trying hard, unlike the Eczema adventure in Castillo's America is not the heart.
> Excel can live. Maraming mga bata sa US na undocumented but lived and got through with life. Muscle of the hustle, yow, you just YOLO.
July 10, 2020
I really enjoyed this novel!
Excel is an undocumented young man who lives with his mother, Maxima, in Colma California. His mother, once a Filipina movie action star, immigrated to US and now she makes her living by scamming men online.
This is a book about the hardships of undocumented immigrants - I felt Excel's deepening ache as he has to live "differently" from the people around him; how his TNT (tago ng tago) status affects his behavior and his relationship with Maxima. I was quick to judge this mother-son relationship at first, thinking that Excel was mean and immature. Nevertheless, I ended up finding it genuine and undoubtedly precious, even if people consider it cold/severe.
Still on the relationships, the relationship between Joker and Maxima would be more understandable from Asians perspective, since this master-student bond is undeniable and sometimes rather unexplainable (master as our first/second father).
I learned to like Maxima as a character while reading her experiences - her strength and role as a mother are flawed but at the same time, admirable.
By inserting Tagalog words, Tenorio elevated the authenticity of this novel which I loved. This is a book about family, sacrifices, hard work, hope and trying to find your own value. Even though I was less interested in the Hello City parts, Excel as a character kept me engaged and I enjoyed the humor and sarcasm in this novel. Finally, I thought that the ending was bittersweet.
THE SON OF GOOD FORTUNE is far from a comfortable read yet necessary- this book captures so much truth and rawness. I highly recommend!
[ I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review ]
Excel is an undocumented young man who lives with his mother, Maxima, in Colma California. His mother, once a Filipina movie action star, immigrated to US and now she makes her living by scamming men online.
This is a book about the hardships of undocumented immigrants - I felt Excel's deepening ache as he has to live "differently" from the people around him; how his TNT (tago ng tago) status affects his behavior and his relationship with Maxima. I was quick to judge this mother-son relationship at first, thinking that Excel was mean and immature. Nevertheless, I ended up finding it genuine and undoubtedly precious, even if people consider it cold/severe.
Still on the relationships, the relationship between Joker and Maxima would be more understandable from Asians perspective, since this master-student bond is undeniable and sometimes rather unexplainable (master as our first/second father).
I learned to like Maxima as a character while reading her experiences - her strength and role as a mother are flawed but at the same time, admirable.
By inserting Tagalog words, Tenorio elevated the authenticity of this novel which I loved. This is a book about family, sacrifices, hard work, hope and trying to find your own value. Even though I was less interested in the Hello City parts, Excel as a character kept me engaged and I enjoyed the humor and sarcasm in this novel. Finally, I thought that the ending was bittersweet.
THE SON OF GOOD FORTUNE is far from a comfortable read yet necessary- this book captures so much truth and rawness. I highly recommend!
[ I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review ]
July 8, 2020
Absolutely loved this book! The Son of Good Fortune follows a Filipino teenager, Excel, and his mother Maxima as they try to get by in America living TNT, or tago ng tago. In English, this basically translates to being undocumented. Throughout the book, we learn more about Excel and his family life - how he and his mother came to live in Colma, CA, how he attempts to strike out on his own with his girlfriend, Sab, and what happens upon his return to the Bay Area.
This book means so much to me, I don’t even know where to start. First off, I loved the relationship between Excel and his mother. If you’ve read the book, is that weird of me to say? It just reminded me so much of my own relationship with my grandmother where it can be perceived as cold or strict, but it’s actually very loving in that Asian-relative way.
It was also a different experience reading about an undocumented character compared to the first generation or immigration stories I usually read. You see how Excel’s undocumented status not only affects his ability to go to school and work, but how he interacts with other people and envisions life for himself.
Also, I loved how there was Tagalog in here that wasn’t always translated. Excel is described as not really knowing Tagalog either, so even if you don’t understand some of what the other characters are saying, you get the same effect as if Excel was also listening in on the conversation.
Please check out this new release! It’s got so much heart and resilience and humor, and it was such a joy to read it.
This book means so much to me, I don’t even know where to start. First off, I loved the relationship between Excel and his mother. If you’ve read the book, is that weird of me to say? It just reminded me so much of my own relationship with my grandmother where it can be perceived as cold or strict, but it’s actually very loving in that Asian-relative way.
It was also a different experience reading about an undocumented character compared to the first generation or immigration stories I usually read. You see how Excel’s undocumented status not only affects his ability to go to school and work, but how he interacts with other people and envisions life for himself.
Also, I loved how there was Tagalog in here that wasn’t always translated. Excel is described as not really knowing Tagalog either, so even if you don’t understand some of what the other characters are saying, you get the same effect as if Excel was also listening in on the conversation.
Please check out this new release! It’s got so much heart and resilience and humor, and it was such a joy to read it.
October 31, 2020
Watch my thoughts on this book here: https://youtu.be/_xJgUBJ9iDE
April 25, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this funny and tender book of a young undocumented man from the Philippines who lives with his mother in CA. Excel and Maxima are unique characters living in a low rent area of Colma, outside of SF. What it takes to survive without the protection of being legal in the US was eye opening to me. Don’t miss this one!
August 23, 2022
Is my rating because of the story itself or the audiobook narrator? Lots of thoughts, full review to follow.
August 12, 2020
Lysley was my second reader on my MFA thesis and I teach his book Monstress every year in my CA Dreams and Reality lit comp. class.
With that being said, even if I didn't know Lysley personally, I would have still really enjoyed this book. The Son of Good Fortune follows the story of Excel, a TNT (undocumented Filipino), as he navigates life in Colma and Hello City, CA with his mother Maxima (a former B-list movie star / martial artist), his girlfriend Sab, his violent pizza restaurant boss Gunther, Z (Gunther's long-suffering Serbian father), and the loss of his mother's former trainer and friend Joker.
The novel is a compassionate view of the hardships undocumented folks face -- there are so many things Excel can't do (get a driver's license, get a "real" job, potentially go to college, travel to the Philippines) because of his status and the many ways in which he feels he has to hide. While Lysley slides in some funny scenes to lighten the mood, the novel draws you into a world in which Excel is struggling to figure out what home and place means to him. I appreciate that there is no easy solution at the end -- after all, life doesn't wrap up with a neat bow either....we just keep figuring things out as we go.
With that being said, even if I didn't know Lysley personally, I would have still really enjoyed this book. The Son of Good Fortune follows the story of Excel, a TNT (undocumented Filipino), as he navigates life in Colma and Hello City, CA with his mother Maxima (a former B-list movie star / martial artist), his girlfriend Sab, his violent pizza restaurant boss Gunther, Z (Gunther's long-suffering Serbian father), and the loss of his mother's former trainer and friend Joker.
The novel is a compassionate view of the hardships undocumented folks face -- there are so many things Excel can't do (get a driver's license, get a "real" job, potentially go to college, travel to the Philippines) because of his status and the many ways in which he feels he has to hide. While Lysley slides in some funny scenes to lighten the mood, the novel draws you into a world in which Excel is struggling to figure out what home and place means to him. I appreciate that there is no easy solution at the end -- after all, life doesn't wrap up with a neat bow either....we just keep figuring things out as we go.
July 18, 2020
The Son of Good Fortune follows an Undocumented teen, Excel, and his mother, Maxima. They are what Filipinos know as TNT (Tago Ng Tago), hiding and hiding. Growing up, Excel learns what it means to need assistance but to deny oneself of that in fear of deportation. His mother does everything she can to make ends meet, including conning American men into thinking she’s struggling in the Phillipines, all the while being in the same country.
This was a very character-driven book. Excel struggled to find his identity and work out his relationships with his mother and girlfriend, Sab. His mother, Maxima, a B-rated Hollywood star in the Philippines, is now a con-artist in America whose only goal is to make sure she and her son can get by. Their two stories weave in and out of each other with an ending that is only so real for many TNTs and immigrants alike.
This book was very character-driven and the sprinkles of Tagalog throughout made me realize just how little of my native tongue I understand. Though I enjoyed The Son of Good Fortune, I don’t think it will be a very memorable book for me. In comparison to his previously published book, Monstress, this did not hit as hard.
This was a very character-driven book. Excel struggled to find his identity and work out his relationships with his mother and girlfriend, Sab. His mother, Maxima, a B-rated Hollywood star in the Philippines, is now a con-artist in America whose only goal is to make sure she and her son can get by. Their two stories weave in and out of each other with an ending that is only so real for many TNTs and immigrants alike.
This book was very character-driven and the sprinkles of Tagalog throughout made me realize just how little of my native tongue I understand. Though I enjoyed The Son of Good Fortune, I don’t think it will be a very memorable book for me. In comparison to his previously published book, Monstress, this did not hit as hard.
June 28, 2020
The Son of Good Fortune is the story of an undocumented Filipina and once popular b-movie action star, Maxima, and her teenage son Excel, as they navigate their struggles and relationship in small town California.
The characters in this book! If you like a character driven novel, this is for you! Maxima and Excel do not always come off as likable on paper, and yet they were two of the most real and engaging characters I’ve read all year. I couldn’t help but be drawn to their story. This has a lot to do with Tenorio’s writing and I’m interested in reading more from this author.
I would compare the “vibe” of this book to Tell the Wolves I’m Home. Completely different type of story, but I couldn’t get the connection out of my head the entire time I was reading. Flawed but lovable characters abound.
Thank you NetGalley and Ecco for the free review copy.
The characters in this book! If you like a character driven novel, this is for you! Maxima and Excel do not always come off as likable on paper, and yet they were two of the most real and engaging characters I’ve read all year. I couldn’t help but be drawn to their story. This has a lot to do with Tenorio’s writing and I’m interested in reading more from this author.
I would compare the “vibe” of this book to Tell the Wolves I’m Home. Completely different type of story, but I couldn’t get the connection out of my head the entire time I was reading. Flawed but lovable characters abound.
Thank you NetGalley and Ecco for the free review copy.
August 7, 2022
Not a bad book, but also not a great book. This story's redeeming quality is on the 'shame' Excel feels by not being a citizen and therefore not assuming (or receiving) the rights that US citizens take for granted. All in all, though, I was bored as the two main arcs wound back and forth, slowly unraveling the story; however, there was little movement or change, but revisiting the same two issues without catharsis. Readable, but not very intriguing. In the end, Excel ended where he started but with more experiences to reflect upon.
August 7, 2021
This book unfolded its story almost perfectly. The characters were so complex without overdevelopment or over explaining, it’s what they didn’t do, what they didn’t say. Definitely a show not tell book. It tackled issues such as being undocumented, and the daily ways that impacts your life, and so much more. Maxima, one of the main characters, I would pay good money to read a book about her life. It read like life- up, down, in between. Sometimes just survival is somebody’s story, and that’s as good a story as any.
November 30, 2023
Ugh. Wow. I knew nothing about this book going in but really really loved it. It was fun and funny and also sad. It’s a compassionate look at a complicated mother-son relationship. It showed how people grow toward and apart from those they love in a very compelling way. The writing was excellent and the ending was satisfying. Only good feelings toward this one.
December 1, 2021
*sigh* Such an enjoyable read. A book with so much heart. I will miss these characters.
June 21, 2022
A unique plot line with complex characters and stories that ended up being more touching than expected. Really made me think of how hard and terrifying it must be to "hide" as undocumented immigrants. This book turns the American Dream on its head. I went back and forth between audiobook and reading. Kept me busy and engaged on my long car ride.
June 2, 2023
3.5 stars rounded down. The Son of Good Fortune tells the story of Excel, an undocumented Filipino teenager trying to make sense of his life with his stoic mother Maxima. It jumps back and forth in time from when Excel left home with his girlfriend Sab to live off the grid in the desert and when he comes back home to his mother. I loved the perspective of Excel dealing with his identity of being undocumented and having to "hide" his whole life. Maxima was an interesting character. She used to be a B-movie action star in the Philippines before moving to the US where she now scams men online for money. The ending was really disappointing to me, which was why this got 3 stars. I liked Excel's journey of trying to figure out his role in life and what to do and I love stories about immigrant experiences in America, but the ending fell completely flat for me.
February 8, 2025
The story is focused on a Philippine young woman pregnant comes to United States and begins a life with her son. When son reaches the age of 10 the Mom reveals that they are undocumented and their life filled with fear that their secret will come to life begins. They face financial difficulties but manage to make the best of the situation. They depict a great amount of strength and courage to live their lives. Great writing by the Author that shares struggles that many are faced with in their daily lives
July 10, 2020
I don’t think I have finished a book in a day in awhile! This book has such complex characters and a story that reminds you how much really goes on in a single person’s life, yet is so interwoven with others and everyone.
April 22, 2024
It wasn’t anything spectacular, to be honest I don’t even know what the point was. It was just dragging and I was waiting for something exciting. The ending was confusing and did not really explain anything.
August 24, 2020
Thank you to Netgalley, Lysley Tenorio and Ecco/HarperCollins for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Son of Good Fortune was offered for free in one of HarperCollins' book perk emails (highly recommend signing up to it if you have not done so already) and I quickly requested it. However, it did sit on my Netgalley shelf for a couple of months because the cover and the title didn't really appeal to me. I decided to give this a go whilst I was visiting my parents and I'm so glad I did. I enjoyed it much more than I thought I was going to!
Excel is a 19 year old man who, along with his mother Maxima, is TNT (hiding and hiding). Maxima is in the USA illegally and Excel was born on the flight over from the Philippines, so Maxima does not seem to have registered him and so he is illegal too. Due to their situation, they are taken advantage of by landlords and employers who know they are unable to complain or contact the authorities, so live a pretty hard life.
As a result, Excel leaves home with his girlfriend to live in Hello City in the middle of the desert, but returns home after he burnt down the town square. Maxima also starts scamming men on the internet to make ends meet. One would feel sorry, but the men she is in contact with are utter scumbags (not that it makes it ok, but it was interesting to see the other side of this in this book).
The story is one of struggling to survive whilst TNT in America as well as an account about a mother and son relationship and the tension between them.
The Son of Good Fortune was offered for free in one of HarperCollins' book perk emails (highly recommend signing up to it if you have not done so already) and I quickly requested it. However, it did sit on my Netgalley shelf for a couple of months because the cover and the title didn't really appeal to me. I decided to give this a go whilst I was visiting my parents and I'm so glad I did. I enjoyed it much more than I thought I was going to!
Excel is a 19 year old man who, along with his mother Maxima, is TNT (hiding and hiding). Maxima is in the USA illegally and Excel was born on the flight over from the Philippines, so Maxima does not seem to have registered him and so he is illegal too. Due to their situation, they are taken advantage of by landlords and employers who know they are unable to complain or contact the authorities, so live a pretty hard life.
As a result, Excel leaves home with his girlfriend to live in Hello City in the middle of the desert, but returns home after he burnt down the town square. Maxima also starts scamming men on the internet to make ends meet. One would feel sorry, but the men she is in contact with are utter scumbags (not that it makes it ok, but it was interesting to see the other side of this in this book).
The story is one of struggling to survive whilst TNT in America as well as an account about a mother and son relationship and the tension between them.
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