"American Son" is a novel by Brian Ascalon Roley, first published in 2001. The story follows the life of Tomas, a young Filipino-American man growing up in the gritty urban landscape of Southern California. The novel explores themes of identity, race, class, and family as Tomas navigates his place in American society.
Tomas is caught between two worlds, struggling to reconcile his Filipino heritage with his American upbringing. He grapples with issues of assimilation, including his relationship with his white girlfriend, while also confronting the realities of racism and discrimination in his daily life. Through his experiences with his dysfunctional family, gang violence, and his own personal struggles, Tomas must find a way to define himself and forge a path forward in a world that is often hostile and unforgiving.
The novel has been widely praised for its vivid portrayal of the Filipino-American experience, its raw and gritty depiction of urban life, and its exploration of complex issues of identity and belonging. It has been included in several college and university curriculums and has been recognized with several awards, including the Asian American Literary Award for Fiction.
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