The Human Zoo

Filipina American journalist Christina (“Ting”) has returned to Manila after separating from her American husband. As readers learn about Ting, they also learn about Filipino culture and the history of the Philippines, particularly regarding American imperialism. Ting is working on a book about the exploitation of indigenous Filipino people as part of the phenomenon of human zoos, specifically one at Coney Island in 1911. Unfortunately, she has not produced the book, as she is distracted by myriad concerns in her homeland. These include the dictatorship, courtship by a former boyfriend who is connected to the dictator, and numerous social occasions that include hanging out with Inchoy, a closeted gay man, and his trans lover Bibi. When one of Ting’s relatives is kidnapped by Islamist terrorists and another becomes the victim of an extrajudicial killing, Ting is thrust into real danger and narrowly escapes.