‘The Recorded History of a Girl’ is now available in paperback
MANILA, Philippines - When was the last time you wrote a proper letter?
Meet R, the independent but sometimes reckless heroine of the book The Recorded History of a Girl. Experience her life through letters that she sends to people both important and peripheral in her life. Starting from the day she first learned how to write to the day she prepared to say goodbye, the novel’s journey is both bittersweet and hilarious.
The novel is the first work of fiction by Celine Lopez, columnist for The Philippine STAR, jewelry designer for Fah Lux and film producer of the Sundance award-winning film Metro Manila. She produced a book of essays in 2002 entitled From Coffee to Cocktails, which garnered a National Book Award nomination for that category.
“It revolves around controversial topics that you may think are so out of touch in the real world; these are just props and foils to the more fundamental things in our lives†shares Celine Lopez. “R is a benefic influence in being understanding and compassionate to people around her. And yes, she is stupid at certain moments. It’s all about embracing all things human.â€
The book takes one all over the world as R finds her way looking for true love and real solutions to her complex problems in her enviable bourgeoisie lifestyle. The book’s updated version launched successfully on Amazon last August and has now found its way to paperback thanks to National Book Store and Xandra Ramos.
Here are some reviews by readers from Good Reads:
I kinda rooted for this book even before it came out and before having even read it. I have been an avid follower of the author’s column for years, so I feel like I know her, her struggles and fears and joy and basically the things that make her an interesting human being. She’s a generous writer like that, sharing these intimate things about herself knowing probably that it makes her an open target to people who judge and love to hate.
But it is what makes her relatable as a writer. She gives a voice to my own fears, insecurities and vulnerabilities, even when we don’t share a common backstory and social status.
She was for a long time a sad girl, but she has bounced back big-time. I know this of course only from what she writes and tells interviewers. By bounced back I mean less about her new film and book but more about her newfound life perspective and self-love. she has embraced happiness, and I feel like this tiny victory is mine as well. I like her more this way.
What can I say? I missed R already right after I clicked 5 stars on my Kindle. I enjoyed reading R’s letters. Even shed a few bittersweet tears over some of them, particularly those to her kids. I love the adult that she has become, the wisdom and insights she shared.
She had an authentic voice. She sounded natural, and not pretentious at all. There were no cringe parts. Really. I savored her every sentence.
R felt so real, and that’s the thing that makes this book a clear winner.
This book is filled with wisdom and soul. There were times when I highlighted whole chapters. The choice of words and construction, check, check. I rarely reread books but this will be on my to-re-read list.
It’s absolutely amazing, gut-wrenching, with a gnarly touch and yet so much hope. So real yet so surreal. It makes me wonder what emotions the writer used to create such an incredibly emotional, funny, witty and genuine story. Great job!
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On Dec. 10, all readers are invited to the book signing at National Bookstore Glorietta at 6 p.m. It will be available at all National Book Stores nationwide.
