My Bonsai Tribe: A Novel Set in the Philippines

Daniela grows up in a sleepy Philippine town where the day’s big event might be the squeals of a pig being slaughtered in the backyard. But everything changes in her sheltered childhood when her sister sees a bewildering scene in their home one night. How much harm can curiosity bring to a child? Trapped by the demands of culture, religion, and family values, and in the midst of political and economic turbulence in a dictator-led country, Daniela strives to play by the rules. But her burning need for the truth often gets her in trouble. Entangled in lifetime relationships and a floundering marriage, and with nothing much but her tenacity, intelligence, and deep faith, Daniela follows out a heartrending but inspiring quest to uncover the family secrets that the rest of her world prefer to keep hidden.