Dogeaters

Dogeaters, first published in 1990 by Jessica Hagedorn, is a literary and historical fiction novel set in the 1950s Manila, Philippines. Hagedorn, a Filipino American playwright and writer, uses her background to explore the complexities of Filipino society influenced by Spanish imperialism, class struggles, and American cultural dominance. The novel, known for its ensemble cast of characters like Rio Gonzaga, intertwines various narratives that gradually connect, reflecting the diverse social fabric of the Philippines.

Dogeaters won an American Book Award and was nominated for the National Book Award in 1991. It is a significant work in Filipino American literature, noted for its portrayal of a pivotal historical era.

This guide refers to the 2013 Open Road Integrated Media e-book edition.

Content Warning: The source material features depictions of graphic sexual violence, suicidal ideation, miscarriage, exploitation, abortion, drug addiction, foul language, offensive terms for people of color, racism, graphic violence, and murder.

Plot Summary

The novel is written from various characters’ points of view, moving between present and past tense. It begins with Rio Gonzaga reminiscing about her youth in Manila in 1956. She and her older cousin Pucha watch the American film All that Heaven Allows in an “English Only” movie theater. Post-movie, the pair visits a café, where Pucha flirts with boys.