The Human Zoo

By: Sabina Murray

Narrated by: Rachel Coates

Filipino American Christina "Ting" Klein has just traveled from New York to Manila, both to escape her imminent divorce and to begin research for a biography of Timicheg, an indigenous Filipino brought to America at the start of the 20th century to be exhibited as part of a "human zoo". It has been a year since Ting's last visit and one year since Procopio "Copo" Gumboc swept the elections in an upset and took power as president. Arriving unannounced at her aging aunt's aristocratic home, Ting quickly falls into upper-class Manila life - family gatherings at her cousin's compound; spending time with her best friend, Inchoy, a gay socialist professor of philosophy; and a flirtation with her ex-boyfriend, Chet. All the while, family duty dictates that Ting be responsible for Laird, a cousin's fiance, who has come from the States to rediscover his roots.

As days pass, Ting witnesses modern Filipino society languishing under Gumboc's terrifying reign. To make her way, she must balance the aristocratic traditions of her extended family, seemingly at odds with both situation and circumstance, as well as temper her stance toward a regime her loved ones are struggling to survive. Yet Ting cannot extricate herself from the increasingly repressive regime, and soon finds herself personally confronted by the horrifying realities of Gumboc's power.

©2021 Sabina Murray (P)2021 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Get to the story!

There is so much useless dribble in the book. I found myself after chapter eight skipping chapters, because I was tired hearing about the the family and the culture ECT. it was like get to the story stop with these useless conversations that are not even that engaging. Then end of part one it starts the excitement but it's still bog down by useless conversations here and there. There a part is supposed to be romantic but it's not because the guy is married, and she sleeps with him anyway what a trashy main character. I could not finish it u did not care about a person that you bearly know have stuff happen to them. (not the main person)