Lee’s first novel consists of the different love stories of five women; and out of the five, one

of whom is
supposed to have a happy ending as the subtitle suggests. This explores the different struggles of these
women when it comes to finding love and what makes them truly happy. Each story is carefully woven in
a tapestry of one’s ideal love versus love in its real essence.

Lee has painted his words with such lucidity that you, as readers, can concretely imagine what Irene,
Sandra, Ester, Erica at Bessie look like and even smell like. The visuals given by the author provides
stimulus to your senses and would make you feel like you are also present in the bittersweet world
where these women exist. Because of the descriptive passages manipulated intricately by author Ricky
Lee, he was able to go beyond the boundary that is evident between the writer and the reader.

What makes this book more interesting is Lee’s creativity in placing philosophical yet striking moments
in the book. The perfect example was when a character in the story itself was complaining to the writer
about the lines she delivers, about the story’s main plot, and even about how hers would end.

This novel does not revolve solely on love but it also touches on social realities like political killings,
poverty, and gender inequality all bearing weight in the current situation in our society. It would also be
vital to highlight the roles of gender being portrayed in Lee’s masterpiece. He was able to underline
issues on the women’s role at home, in the work force, and in the society in general.

Ricky Lee’s out-of-the-box presentation of love and remorse, of love and waiting, of love and society, of
love and family, and of love and happy endings has made him a daring writer who can break the cliché
and the conventional. Lee has written more than a hundred film scripts since 1979, earning for him
more than 50 trophies from award-giving bodies. He is a writer with modern and realistic tones. His
body of works has spanned over twenty years which include writing short stories, plays, essays,
teleplays, and screenplays. A rare achievement for a writer, two of his short stories won first prizes at
the Palanca Awards for Literature for two years in a row. Thereafter, he never joined any literary contest
believing that writers should not compete with each other.

Looking at the book, its cover already serves as a stimulus to make anybody pick it up and discover the
world of the words printed inside it. How the 3D effect of the big letter ‘B’ can already imprint a sense of
interest to its audience. How the color rose generates a certain painful vibe when you specifically
connect it to the falling stunt of the man in the middle. How the handwritten subtitle seems to be
talking directly to you—paano dinevastate ng pag-ibig ang 4 out of 5 sa atin?
The use of a scribbled typeface or a handwritten font in some parts of the book gives it a personal
appeal to the readers. There is just one part where the style played a cumbersome role. In the division
titles of every part, some words couldn’t be read clearly anymore. Also the frequent use of taglish or the
combination of the English and Filipino language depicts a more colloquial, Pinoy over-all feel to the
story. However, including both an English and a Filipino word in one sentence can sometimes be a bit
awkward to read. Especially since Lee has used deep Filipino words in the dominant part of the novel.

Amusingly, Para Kay B appears to be a breath of fresh air amidst the clichéd and mainstreamed plots of
love stories and romantic genres being portrayed in the Philippine book industry—from the wedding
denouement scene to the I’m-so-stupid-to-make-the-biggest-mistake-of-falling-in-love-with-my-best-
friend setting. However, it is a bittersweet one. There is a patent scheme where Lee tried to deviate
from the accustomed romantic novel pattern where the writer’s perspective is either playing the third-
person role or the acclaimed protagonist in the story right at the beginning of a story. It is actually
interesting to find remarkable twists towards the conclusion of the novel. But the weight that Lee has
put on this particular bend is somewhat inadequate. There seems to be a hole in the road that leads the
readers to empathize with the twist.

In general, Para Kay B has the capacity to give its readers a haunting feeling of empathy to Irene, Sandra,
Erica, Ester, and Bessie’s love stories. Most especially, to the story within the story part of the novel.
Lee’s characters appear to be so compelling because more than their captivating personalities, they
seem to present in front of its readers’ very eyes the reality behind the matters of the heart. That no
matter how painful, sickening, and even ominous love can be, deep inside our hearts, there is still that
hope that it’s going to be worth it. The distinctive approach of Lee on the subject serves as a reset
button for its audience. This novel is indispensible for people who are waiting for someone to come
along, for someone who has allowed herself to engage into something that is morally wrong, for
someone who is afraid to come out of the closet, for someone who is willing to play the martyr
protagonist. This novel is for someone who loves, period.

“4 out of 5 ang nadedevastate dahil sa pag-ibig”. Does it mean that only one has a shot of happy ending?
A mixture of comedy, romance, and complicated situations sum up Ricky Lee’s first novel, “Para kay B?”
A more intriguing question follows. “Sino ba talaga si B?”

Lee’s first novel revolves around 5 different stories that speak the truth about falling in love, accepting a
heart break, and falling out of love. These five situations can be related to any person’s love story. Apart
from this, the story also speaks of the writer’s insecurities and frustrations on making the novel. It also
expounds on the writer’s theory of love.

“Para kay B” is a personal journey for Lee because it also involves his own story. The balancing of
characters greatly affects the flow of the story. Each character has her own chapter, her own moment.
Each chapter has its own situation. Some of the situations are rarely seen in a normal context in the
society.

The first chapter tells the story of Irene. Irene, a girl with a unique photographic memory, falls in love
with Jordan. But as they say, promises are meant to be broken. The most painful heartbreak is being
forgotten by the person who have made you a promise. The reality of a broken promise will make the
readers realize that only fairy tales have a happy ending.

The second story is Sandra’s story. Her story is about falling in love with one’s sibling. This situation is
unusual especially in terms of Filipino norms but is probably happening at present. People are afraid to
tell their own “Sandra story” because it conflicts with Philippine society’s norms.

Erica’s story follows next. The chapter relates to a fictional world that refuses to fall in love. This chapter
describes the feeling of a person who is curious about love. It tells of people falling in love for the first
time. The chapter tells that anything that happens for the first time is always memorable and most of the
time, is the happiest feeling. Unfortunately, some may be unsure if they are really in love. Because of this,
most people resort to wrong decisions.

After Erica is another challenging story of Ester. The creativity of Lee in giving life to the characters is a
success especially in the said chapter. In the said love situation, it tackles that even if you think that you
are meant to be with that person, the situation may not allow you to be together.

Bessie’s story is associated with a love that has not been admitted, and where mistakes happen. When one
thinks that one is now ready to confess his/her love, sadly, it is too late.

“Para kay B” has its own twist at the end. Lee’s imagination does not only deal with each of the
characters but also the life of a writer and his own ideologies. Quotations expressed in the novel are
encapsulated with lessons on how to survive a tragic chapter in our life. It can also be cited as a status
message in one’s facebook account.

The soul of “Para kay B” can be compared to a rollercoaster ride that we, people, mostly choose to
experience. In life, there are only two paths to take: the straight path and the curved path. The straight
path will take you to your destination fast and easy but will you enjoy the journey? “Para Kay B” also
discusses the curved path– although rough and indefinite in shape but those rough edges of one’s journey
will enable one to be strong and to enjoy one’s existence more.

My Thoughts About Para Kay B by Ricky Lee

(Book Review #50)
It’s a book within a book.

Para Kay B is not just a normal love story. The author is a creative genius in
coming up with a story like this. It’s a breath of fresh air from the mainstream
of love stories in the Philippine book scene.

The author is a known and award-winning Filipino scriptwriter, journalist and

playwright. He has written more that 150 scripts winning him numerous
awards and citations which includes Himala (CNN’s best film of all time in
Asia-Pacific), Anak, Jose Rizal (1998) and Madrasta among others. This is his
first novel.
The book has this theory that that love has a quota, that only one in five will
be happy in their love life. And in the book we follow five stories. The first is
of Irene and Jordan. They grew up together, fell in love with each other and
promised themselves that they will marry each other when they are of proper
age. This is about the broken promises and how the’re lives were changed by
it.

The next story is about Erica and Jake. Erica is from a place where love is
non-existent, Maldiaga. All the people in their place, despite their efforts, can’t
seem to grasp the very concept of it. People will laugh and mock you when
you utter the word. Then one day, because of her curiosity she decided to
look for the true meaning of love. An unknown force transported her to
Manila and there she met Jake who fell in love with her. The book then
follows the two as they try to search for the true meaning of love despite all
the doubts that they have.

The third is of Sandra who fell in love with the wrong person. A forbidden
love. Sandra fell in love with her brother, Lupe. They shared intimate
moments together until their family found out about it and threw his brother
out of the house. Her brother bore her a child with abnormalities. As the
years past, Sandra had her own family, but despite the years that passed,
she’s still longing for her brother even just to see him for closure. The book
then follows Sandra as she tries to right her wrongs.

The fourth one is of Ester, who’s a lesbian. She fell in love with their family
maid, Sara. Ester grew up not entertaining the truth about her sexuality. She
keeps on denying to herself that she’s not a lesbian until her son, who’s a
gay, made her realize the importance of her facing the truth. Her son helped
her to locate Sara again, who now has her own family, after years of not
seeing each other. The book then follow as Ester and Sara try to understand
what they really have for each other and the things that they can do for love.

And the last story is of Bessie, or B, whom this book is dedicated to. He’s the
inspiration of Lucas, the writer of the story. It might seem confusing but like
what I said previously this book is a book within a book. I will make more
sense if you read it. We follow their love story as it intertwines with every
other stories on the book. Will the book’s theory be right that only one among
five will be happy. It’s for the readers to find out.
The book is about love. It’s about the many faces of love and the strength of
love. This book gave me a better understanding as to what love really is, that
having our own unique definitions and experiences about love makes it
something that is indispensable.

The book proves that love is not all about happy endings. Not all the
characters on the book have happy endings. Some may not have a happy
ending but what’s important is they are not losing hope and continue to be
optimistic. Loving makes us more appreciate and understand the life that that
we live. Like what many people say, it’s not about the destination but about
the journey.

While I was reading the book, I felt like I was watching a movie. The author
has this cinematic way of telling the story. The details are very vivid which
made me more understand and appreciate the book. I was like transported in
each scene. The book also has this poetic vibe in it. It works with the
imagination well as it has fantastical elements that I enjoyed.

Despite being a short, what’s also commendable with this book is all of it’s
characters are well-developed. The author presented realistic characters. They
are layered and compelling.

I like the book’s modern approach and concept. It veered away from the
norms and tradition. How it was delivered is totally enjoyable. The book is
easy to understand and lows smoothly.

The book has two endings, an open ended ending and an ending added by
the author where the author presented concepts and ideas which somewhat
added more layer to the book. In there, he concluded all the stories that was
left hanging. The ending satisfied me as what I expected from a master
storyteller.

The book also touches social topics like Philippine political problems, poverty
and gender inequality. It also has a bit of lesson about the power or writing.

Para Kay B is written Taglish or the combination of the English and Filipino
language.