This debut collection of short stories from a Fil-Am woman writer was a joy to read. Although some stories were not as well-developed as others, I enjoyed them for the different characters who struggled with the same issues--identity, language, their place in the world, etc.

The most memorable stories for me were the same story she used for the title of the collection, and "Baby Lust". I found "Her Wild American Self" and the character Augustina to be very poignant and tragic--what does this particular story say about the woman's feelings, passions, and her choices? The second story I found myself being drawn to because it is so deeply troubling and disturbing. The images Ms. Galang portrays of the (I believe psychotic, but what woman wouldn't be after a miscarriage?) woman and her desire for cups of soup with little shrimp floating in it is very dramatic, and I found myself shuddering in revulsion.

Certainly some stories could be improved upon, but this debut collection shows a strong emerging voice of a woman writer from the APA community.

I am very torn on the effectiveness of this novel. Galang's women have so much potential that I left all of the stories frustrated with their inhibitions, lack of insight and self-doubt. For a book that is centered around the lives of women, most male characters play a very dominating and oppressive role that also dampers the lives the women that cannot quite seem to get things right. One part of my mind wants to hail the book as perfectly capturing the lives of women and all of their uncertainties. The other part wants to scorn it as a work that unnecessarily portrays women as indecisive and inferior. I would recommend it as a though provoking collection that presents many relevant issues in the lives of Asian-American women, although it is hardly a emblem of the feminist movement.

Finally! A book that covers the duality of living within two vastly different cultures, AND being female. Galang's characters are strong and their dialogue honest. The best of the bunch is "Lessons on How You Never Lived Back Home," which is a self-reflection of a Filipina-American coming to terms with her identity, and the difficulties in accepting completely and equally her two homes -- The Philippines and the U.S. Anyone who's been caught in between two separate "worlds" can relate to the truthfulness and poignancy of Galang's stories