An Englishwoman in the Philippines
Enid Dauncey
Read by Ted Lienhart
Enid Gambier Dauncey was a travel writer who, with her businessman husband, lived in a provincial city in the Philippines for nine months from 1904 to 1905. Her account of that stay, in the form of letters to friends, is something more than a travelogue, as she made many astute observations that would normally be missed by someone simply passing through. Her stay there occurred just a few years after the Americans replaced the Spanish as the colonial masters, and she includes anecdotes that reveal that tense relationship, as well as the naivete of the Americans called upon to administer their new 'protectorate'. Mrs. Dauncey's entertaining description of Philippine social and material life, with her comments on the culture from her foreigner's perspective, are enlivened by her natural curiosity and dry wit. (Summary by Ted Lienhart) (10 hr 19 min)
Chapters
Reviews
Insights on the state of Philippine society 6 years after Spain
Ivy Tan
Mrs. Dauncey is an observant and witty woman who gives thoughtful insights to her life in the Philippines from the method of governance of the Americans, from their oppressive customs policy to their lack of transparency in the state of the islands. She writes vividly with candor on her day to day interactions and the frankness is highly appreciated. the American reader reads to the best of his ability but his pronunciation needs work. Otherwise the quality is clear. Somewhat monotone but interest in the topic makes up for it.