Always Hiding: A Novel

By Sophia G. Romero

My birth should have been an auspicious occasion for my parents because I was their first child. But I was born a girl and in the Philippines that made all the difference," writes Maria Violetta Rosario Dananay, the narrator of this story. Her life was at first a happy one, beloved by both father and mother. But when her father eloped with his latest flame, who was pregnant by him, the world turned sour. Her mother, unable to face the disgrace, fled to New York and became an illegal alien. Virtually deserted by her father, she lived as dangerously as she could until her father, who was in serious political trouble, sent her to her mother in New York. There she encountered an entirely new set of problems and courageously set out to conquer them. Always Hiding is a new and fascinating view of modern Filipino life.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0688156320
• ISBN13: 9780688156329
• Release Date: March 1998
• Publisher: William Morrow
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.88 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 1.0" x 5.8"

Customer Reviews

peek-a-boo taboo

the author's wit reminds me of amy tan's humor, its full of sarcasm and dark, but yet right on target. i must say that miss romero was able to deliver a believable life story of a 'TNT'. i have heard many stories; a well to do attorney ends up as a factory worker, a doctor ends up as a cashier at a gas station, a government offical ends up as a mailman.....so many people willing to give up what they have just to start a new life and get a piece of this american pie. but eventually we realize, is it all worth it? this book has the answer.

Magnificent. Wonderful. "Bonding" instantaneously.

I got bonded to author right away. I found the right book to read at the right time. Well written. I can identify with Viola. a real treat. Lois Ann Yamanaka of Hawaii is like Sophia. Author should receive similar award - best Asian woman writer. Mabuhay!

Captured the Filipino mindset

I enjoyed this short book which I finished in one sitting. It's hard to put down once you get started. It must be because I can identify very much to what was described in her book. When I said it captured the Filipino mindset, I am referring to the main theme of the book which is the rampant womanizing of Viola's dad. The book also gave me a lot of insight as to how an undocumented alien probably lives in the United States, especially those who are fairly well educated back in their homeland. I recommend this book. I hope that there will be more books written by her in the future.