Banana Heart Summer Merlinda Bobis

Merlinda Carullo Bobis Born on November 25, 1959 at Legaspi City, Albay A contemporary Filipino-Australian Writer Studied at Bicol University, Aquinas University, University of Santo Tomas, and University of Wollongong Works in different genres integrate elements of the traditional culture of the Philippines with modern immigrant experience Currently teaching courses on dancing, creative writing, and visual arts at Wollongong University Awards received includes: the Prix Italia for Ritas Lullaby, the Steel Rudd Award for the Best Published Collection of Australian Short Stories, the Judges Choice Award (Bumbershoot Bookfair, Seattle Arts Festival) and the Philippine National Book Award for White Turtle, or The Kissing for the Philippine Balagtas Award, a lifetime achievement award for her fiction and poetry in English, Pilipino and Bicol, and Gintong Aklat for Banana Heart Summer

Setting Remedios Street, Legaspi, Albay, Philippines 1970s

Character Analysis Nenita/Nining the novels protagonist; a sweet and responsible young girl who longs for food, love, and life Nana Dora the number 1 sweet vendor on Remedios Street with whom Nening asks and shares her thoughts Marina/Maring Nenitas mother who feels so cold towards her Father Nenitas father whose tongue was eaten by the devil

Valenzuela Family (Dr. Andy, Miss VV, Mrs. Valenzuela) Nenitas good employer Calcium Man Anastacio Tasyo Guerrero in real life; Nana Doras husband Ching Family (Alexander, Soledad, Manolito) a very wealthy family who owns the almost mansion Basilio Profundo the admirable DJ in town Tiya Coring Basilios mother Tiya Asun and Tiyo Anding parents of the twins Bebet and Chi-Chi Aunt Rosario Nenitas wealthy aunt in the city Ralph McKenna a doctor from US who eventually became Miss VVs husband Tiya Miling Juanito Guwapitos mother Juanito Guwapito a young man who eloped with Tiya Viring Mr. Augusto and Mrs. MariaCorazon Alano Nenitas neighbour Boy Hapon another neighbour Lydia, Nilo, Elvis, Claro, Junior, Marinella(+) Nenitas siblings

Plot The novel started with Nenita narrating how her first venture started in that particular summer Nenita became a maid to the Valenzuelas The volcano erupted Nenitas mother gave birth to Marinella Nenita went to US to serve as maid to Miss VV and Ralph

Theme Cooking is an outlet of emotions Love completes a mans lif Asymmetrical would always mean conflict

Love always wins in the end Literature reflects life

Motifs Cooking Reading Search for love

Symbols Coconut Church Volcano Almost Mansion Stones red with black ridges, aquamarine, gray, magenta, ochre, white Summer Banana Heart Water