Book Review: Ang Mga Kaibigan Ni Mama Susan by Bob Ong

Ang Mga Kaibigan Ni Mama Susan by Bob Ong

Halloween is fast approaching. And what better way to celebrate the season aside from the usual fare of 'Trick or Treat', costume party and watching a scary movie is to curl up on your bed and read a horror/gothic novel.

The latest book by Bob Ong, Ang Mga Kaibigan Ni Mama Susan, would be the perfect novel to read if your looking for a good scare. Apparently, this book was Ong's first foray into horror fiction. I wouldn't have guessed this is a horror story not right after I read a book review made by Siege Malvar on FHM Philippines official website. And the trailer video of the book was really blood curdling.

Night Shift by Stephen King & Ang Mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan

I won't go into details narrating the gist of the story. However, I would tell you my observation of Mama Susan's comparison with another horror short story, "Jerusalem's Lot" written by Stephen King approximately twenty years ago and part of the short story collection entitled Night Shift.

Both stories were written epistolary-style, with Mama Susan, its in a form of journal entries by the protagonist Galo as part of a school project, while "Jerusalem's Lot" were letters and diary entries by Charles Boone, Chapelwaite's ill-fated owner. Both characters has strong connection to their family roots. With Galo its her Mama Susan, with Charles Boone, its his grandfather and grand uncle, Robert and Philip Boone respectively. Both Mama Susan and Philip became entangled with occultism and pagan worship. They also used a distinct book in carrying out their occult practices. A 'Librito' for Mama Susan, De Vermis Mysteriis for Philip (both books written in Old World Latin). Both fiction dealt about secluded town populated by people ensnared by their weird religious practices (Tarmanes for Mama Susan; Jerusalem's Lot & Preacher's Corners for "Jerusalem's Lot")

Pages inside Night Shift (top) and Mama Susan

I am not saying that Bob Ong copied the concept of Stephen King's short story fiction. Most possibly he was inspired by it, as most fiction writers have their own story influences. But one thing is for sure, both stories did send shivers down my spine. With "Jerusalem's Lot", its the evil that lurks in the town with its demented occult worship practices and the desecrated church where they held their worship. With Bob Ong's book, its his titular character stealth way of influencing Galo to be part of her 'samahan' named Kataas-taasang Iglecia Santissima ng Kapatirang Banal ng Sansinukob, and the unknown forces that might have infiltrated Galo's mind which resulted to some Latin phrases showing on some of the entries on his journal.

In a recent interview with the author, he said that the real Galo helped him with the book. In a way this added more appeal to me since the fiction is really based on true events. And some of the things written in the book was from the journal itself (like the rap song in one of the entries). Some people find the book too slow or dragging, however I find the pacing just right to build up the elements of horror and mystery.

I only just read two among Bob Ong's eight published works (the other book was Bakit Baligtad Ang Mga Pilipino, given to me as a Christmas present). His socio-political non-fiction books are truly remarkable in terms of scope and on how he present Pinoy's daily life on paper. However, with his first horror novel, it also prove his mettle and versatility as a writer. As the late writer John D. MacDonald said, if a writer could compose a good horror fiction, he could write about any genre. 

Books lined up to read

I only read Ang Mga Kaibigan Ni Mama Susan as a breather, since I'm still not finish reading this non-fiction book, Just Another Kid by Torey Hayden, which I started reading heaven knows when. (hopefully I will be done with that book before November comes) Since I'm such a slow poke when it comes to reading, my list of books to read are piling up to last me a lifetime (which is not really a bad thing he-he!)

If you also want to read another book review of Ang Mga Kaibigan Ni Mama Susan, please check out my friend Kat Munoz's blog.

Ang Mga Kaibigan Ni Mama Susan

Author(s):                      Bob Ong

Country:                         Philippines

Language:                      Tagalog

Genre(s):                        Mystery/Horror

Publisher:                      VisPrint Enterprises

Media Type/Print:     Paperback