Excel, always facing conflict, from the good times to the bad, learns through many experiences as he navigates his adolescence while trying to pay off a debt and balance a relationship.
The Son of Good Fortune was written in 2020 by Lysley Tenorio who is a Filipino-American that narrates the life of Excel who is also Filipino-American. Throughout the book, it is clear that many of Excel’s experiences came from first-hand experience which provides an additional level of depth. For example, “He was a quiet kid who became quieter, ofter to the point of silence” (Tenorio 64). This book is not part of a series and the author has not released any information or knowledge leading to a 2nd novel.
At the beginning of this story, we take a look at Excel’s life and his history through his mother and grandfather who were both Filipino. Over time, Excel learns more and more facts about his mother, such as her being an actor. She wasn’t a superstar but she was good enough for an above-average living. When Excel’s father dies, she wants to move to America to provide a better life for her family. She manages to make it to America but has not done so legally, and has spent an uncomfortable amount of money on it. We quickly learn that Excel is neither Filipino nor American since he was born on the plane ride above the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Excel always felt alone and isolated since there was no one he could relate with. He is always afraid of being caught by the authorities and being forced to leave the country. Most of his insecurities disappear when he meets Sab, who becomes his girlfriend. Together, they build a life that Excel can appreciate and find happiness in. Without saying, the two go through many struggles and surprises with each other and their families.
I found this book in the City Library and it was labeled as one of the best books for young adult fiction. I had high hopes since the reviews said it was a very good book with excellent comedic timing, but this book disappointed that. Between each chapter, the story jumped around which is fine, but the plots were very difficult to connect. One moment we are in the Philippines during Excel's childhood, and the next he is trying to get a summer job after high school. Furthermore, there was no reason to root for Excel, he was just a normal person that didn’t bring the reader to appreciate and enjoy him. One aspect that I enjoyed was some of the jokes in the book. Not all the attempts at humor were good because many flew over my head. The main conflict was hard to follow because Excel was moving around the country but he didn’t overcome anything because there was nothing in the story to overcome. The author should have added more suspense, especially towards the beginning. In other books I have read that are describing a character's life through adventure, the character confronts the problem at some point head-on, instead of ignoring it and hoping it never comes. Even though this, the author brought attention to a real problem occurring in the world. The life of immigrants in the United States. Through Excel and his family, he shows the struggles they had to overcome to find a moderate life. Also, they could not use official facilities such as hospitals because their entrance inside the country had not been approved yet.
I gave this book 2 stars out of 5. Overall, this book provided information on immigrants but in a slow placed and non-suspenseful way. I would not recommend this book for anyone that wants an action-based plot with major twists and connections to the characters. This book might be for you if you want a slow read with a mellow flow. Even though this book did not live up to my expectations, I did learn about the struggles of real people, and learning something from reading is always a win.
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