About the book
In his first memory of his father, Adrian De Leon is four years old. Sitting in front of his family home high above the street in Manila, Philippines, he sees Tatay, a stern man, ascend the stairs before him. Despite Tatay’s pedigree as a college-educated military officer, the best place of employment for a Filipino man trying to support his family is abroad.
A year later, Tatay uproots his family to Canada, where they start a new life in Toronto’s eastern district of Scarborough. While Tatay struggles to find steady full-time work, Adrian learns English, makes friends at school, and begins to drift from the Filipino world his father is fighting to preserve. In an effort to reclaim purpose and pride, Tatay opens a dojo where he teaches a little-known Filipino martial art called kuntaw. The dojo becomes both sanctuary and battleground, a gathering place for the Filipino diaspora and the place where a father attempts to train and discipline his son. As Adrian grows into a restless, defiant young man grappling with masculinity, faith, and the weight of expectations, the tension between father and son sharpens into open conflict.
Set against the backdrop of imperialism and revolution, Notes from a Wayward Son delivers a fierce meditation on inheritance and rebellion, asking what sons owe their fathers—and what it costs to forgive them.
Editions of Notes from a Wayward Son
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781469696638
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469696645
- PDF
- ISBN 9781469696652
Read an Excerpt
In his first memory of his father, Adrian De Leon is four years old. Sitting in front of his family home high above the street in Manila, Philippines, he sees Tatay, a stern man, ascend the stairs before him. Despite Tatay’s pedigree as a college-educated military officer, the best place of employment for a Filipino man trying to support his family is abroad.
A year later, Tatay uproots his family to Canada, where they start a new life in Toronto’s eastern district of Scarborough. While Tatay struggles to find steady full-time work, Adrian learns English, makes friends at school, and begins to drift from the Filipino world his father is fighting to preserve. In an effort to reclaim purpose and pride, Tatay opens a dojo where he teaches a little-known Filipino martial art called kuntaw. The dojo becomes both sanctuary and battleground, a gathering place for the Filipino diaspora and the place where a father attempts to train and discipline his son. As Adrian grows into a restless, defiant young man grappling with masculinity, faith, and the weight of expectations, the tension between father and son sharpens into open conflict.
Set against the backdrop of imperialism and revolution, Notes from a Wayward Son delivers a fierce meditation on inheritance and rebellion, asking what sons owe their fathers—and what it costs to forgive them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Notes from a Wayward Son about?
In his first memory of his father, Adrian De Leon is four years old. Sitting in front of his family home high above the street in Manila, Philippines, he sees Tatay, a stern man, ascend the stairs before him. Despite Tatay’s pedigree as a college-educated military officer, the best place of employment for a Filipino man trying to support his family is abroad.
A year later, Tatay uproots his family to Canada, where they start a new life in Toronto’s eastern district of Scarborough. While Tatay struggles to find steady full-time work, Adrian learns English, makes friends at school, and begins to drift from the Filipino world his father is fighting to preserve. In an effort to reclaim purpose and pride, Tatay opens a dojo where he teaches a little-known Filipino martial art called kuntaw. The dojo becomes both sanctuary and battleground, a gathering place for the Filipino diaspora and the place where a father attempts to train and discipline his son. As Adrian grows into a restless, defiant young man grappling with masculinity, faith, and the weight of expectations, the tension between father and son sharpens into open conflict.
Set against the backdrop of imperialism and revolution, Notes from a Wayward Son delivers a fierce meditation on inheritance and rebellion, asking what sons owe their fathers—and what it costs to forgive them.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Notes from a Wayward Son?
Biography, Literature and Literary studies > Biography and non-fiction prose > Memoirs
Where can I read a sample of Notes from a Wayward Son?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781469696638
How long is Notes from a Wayward Son and how many pages does it have?
Notes from a Wayward Son has 288 page(s)
Is Notes from a Wayward Son part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Great Circle Books
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Notes from a Wayward Son?
Adrian De Leon
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Notes from a Wayward Son is available as paperback(ISBN 9781469696638) and ebook(ISBN 9781469696645) and pdf(ISBN 9781469696652)
Where can I buy Notes from a Wayward Son online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Notes from a Wayward Son from below
Where can I buy Notes from a Wayward Son?