GOODBYE AND EVERYTHING AFTER

A teen in the Philippines gets a second chance to say goodbye after being visited by her father’s ghost.

Five years after her father’s death, Nika Ilagan, a Chinese Filipino 17-year-old, is still struggling with grief, and she’s unhappy with her mother’s decision to remarry. Nika is furious when her mother’s fiancé joins the family while they’re visiting her father’s grave. She storms off in anger and doesn’t pagpag—stop somewhere else on her way home. A Filipino belief says that a spirit can follow you home from a wake, funeral, or cemetery unless you make a detour. Nika dismisses the superstitions that her mom is obsessed with, so she’s shocked when her father’s ghost appears. Realizing that their time together may be limited, Nika wonders if there’s a way to keep Pa here, so she never has to say goodbye again, and she finds herself desperately holding on to what her family used to be. Nika’s palpable grief will particularly resonate with readers who have experienced loss; her personal growth is satisfying as she takes steps towards healing and embracing change. The strong, banter-filled voice and hearty dose of humor balance the emotional weight of the novel. Set in Manila, the novel primarily centers on Chinese Filipino characters, and Tagalog and Hokkien words sprinkled throughout add to the sense of place.

A tender yet funny story about family, grief, and saying goodbye.