Secret Asian Man

by Nick Carbó

Secret Asian Man is a hilarious and poignant look at the immigrant experience. Ang Tunay na Lalaki (Tagalog for “The Real Man”) is the Filipino Marlboro Man, a macho and bare-chested endorser of gin. But when he finds himself in New York City and auditioning as a bit actor, disillusionment quickly sets he realizes he, an Asian man, will never be a sex symbol in America. Fortunately for him, adventure ensues.

Genres: Poetry

100 pages

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Cathryn Cofell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book every poetry lover should have in their collection. Funny, fun, insightful all in one. I adore this Secret Asian Man (and the poet within).

[Aaron Rudolph · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of poems was instrumental in shaping my early years of poetry writing. This book widened the parameters of poems and poetry collections in my brain. The collection is experimental and avant-garde and it doesn’t stop charging forward until the last page. The protagonist, Lalaki, is cool and impervious to life’s small pains, but in a very unpolished, non-American way. In fact, the Filipino Demi-god is just another immigrant in NYC trying to make it. This makes him vulnerable and identifiable. Lalaki begins writing poems to fill time and to evoke his love for his American sweetheart. The poet who mentors him, is this book’s very author, who offers a critique of himself as poet and teacher. Where some may see this only as self-indulgent, others will see how Carbo is cleverly, slyly commenting on poetry and how a poet creates poems and narratives. I loved how this book redefined the genre for me and other readers.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book at a sale my school was having, and got it because of the whimsical title. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was by a Filipino author, and I could relate to the parts where Filipino culture was brought up. I enjoyed the first half more than the second, but overall I thought it was a solid collection of poetry. I did question the author bringing himself into his own book, but I guess that's the nature of poetic license.

[Iskul Bukul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book over and under and it has changed my life. It is full of mystery and allusions to Philippine culture as well as western deeds and misdeeds. Carbo is a poetic genius beyond compare.

[Elizabeth Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this short collection of poems!

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny and weird

[mournfulhills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly well written. I really enjoyed this. Not sure why the ratings are so low; Nobody complained when Faulkner wrote like this ^_^

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping to obtain some books by Filipinx authors for my school library, as the school district has so many Filipinx students since many of their parents came to Baltimore to teach. However, this was not the book to fill that bill. The book is focused on the main character's sexual attractiveness is perceived and obviously that material is not appropriate for middle schoolers. Moreover I thought the fantasy basis of the book would be interesting but it served more to make the book a bit bizarre and hard to follow--the message was lost for me. I think this is probably a more enjoyable read for Filipinxs who can understand the references. I did get something out of it as there were mentions of certain stereotypes that I hadn't really thought about before. But I hope to find some other books by Filipinx authors that are more appropriate for middle school students and are, perhaps, a little less off-beat.

[Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recently found this slim book of poetry among my college debris; thought it was so funny back then... poignant too. It tells the story of this Filipino named Ang Tunay Na Lalaki who was kind of a bigshot c-list celebrity back in Manila but after moving to NYC is faceless, emasculated. All the poems, bearing titles such as "Ang Tunay Na Lalaki Explores the Chatrooms on AOL" and "Ang Tunay Na Lalaki Does His Laundry," are quirky and fresh.

[Chary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being a filipino, this book of poetry is awesome and halariously on point!