Reuniting with Strangers: A Novel
Longlisted for Canada Reads 2024
Now available across Canada. Available in the U.S. on April 16, 2024, and in the UK/EU on May 30, 2024. Preorder your copy today!
When five-year-old Monolith is taken from the Philippines to live with his mother in Canada, he immediately lashes out. Unable or unwilling to speak, he attacks her and destroys his new home.
Everyone wants to know why—and everyone has a theory. But unlike the solid certainty his name suggests, the answer isn’t so simple.
From a cliffside town in the Tagaytay highlands of the Philippines, to the Filipino communities in the desert of Osoyoos, the Arctic world of Iqaluit, the suburbs of southern Ontario, Sarnia's Chemical Valley, Montréal’s Côte-des-Neiges, and Toronto’s Little Manila, Austria-Bonifacio takes readers into the kaleidoscope of the Filipino diaspora, uncovering the displacement, estrangement, resilience and healing that happen behind closed doors.
As each chapter unfolds, truths are revealed in humorous, joyful, devastating and surprising ways: through an incisive caregiver's instruction manual, a custody battle over texts and e-mails, a disarmingly direct self-help guide, a series of desperate résumés, a kundiman songbook, and more.
Monolith appears again and again, as a misbehaving boy in a store, the subject of town gossip, a face in a fundraising campaign, a client in questionable care, a dying man’s beacon of hope—and an unlikely new friend.
Compellingly readable, incisive and resonant, Jennilee Austria-Bonifacio’s stunning debut opens a window into the homes and hearts of the Filipino-Canadian community.
“The author is a rare and powerful talent with a knack for channeling different voices.”
Episode of EPIC Generation at FTV
OMNI News Toronto book launch coverage
“A polyphonic chorus focusing on the lives of reunified Filipinx families—this collective of interlacing stories sings in a minor-major key of sorrow and joy, hurt and hope. Austria has invented a dazzling form of literary kundiman where all forms of love are present and invited. The result is a truly moving exploration of the psychic costs of separation, buoyed by a giant courageous heart.”
“In these astonishing stories from the perspectives of migrant Filipino caregivers and their families, Austria-Bonifacio forces us to witness the emotional truths of those in servitude, and desperate to get a foot in the door.
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With Pluma members featured at the Toronto launch of Reuniting with Strangers: Jaisa Sulit, Shirley Camia, Eric Tigley (missing: Motzie Dapul).
Vancouver book launch at Massy Arts Society with fellow Filipino-Canadian authors Vincent Ternida, Kawika Guillermo, Leah Ranada, and Christine Añonuevo.
“Reuniting with Strangers is expertly told, a collection of stories that explores the pain of migration and the bottomless hope of family. Sacrifice threads through the community—A good parent is a good provider, and a good provider is one who leaves. But when a child is abandoned over and over again, his screams are “…the only sound the heart wants to make.” This is the truth Austria-Bonifacio tells in language that is alive, contemporary, vivid. Read this book. You will see the world with fresh compassion.
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These are stories that love you, leave you, and come back to you. These stories return jagged, complicated by their departure, and grown in your absence. Austria-Bonifacio documents the Filipino Canadian diaspora with the eyes of a camcorder and the heart of a Filipino surviving outside of the Philippines—holding everything. Here, there is the heat of home and the wrath of winter sticking to your skin and sincerely asking, “How have you been made a stranger in your own life?””
At the Montréal book launch with Centre Kapwa director France Stohner, and the evening’s featured writers: Lorina Mapa, Allan Matudio, and Deann Louise C. Nardo.
““Why do we call it “the motherland” when it isn’t where our mothers are?” With these words, Jennilee Austria-Bonifacio begins her extraordinary novel, inviting readers out onto the bridge that so many Filipino families navigate every day, for years, for decades, a crossing-over place of longing, confusion, anger, and complicated love.
Here’s the real deal, a novel that opens up the world in a new way. Be prepared for goosebumps, tears and laughter. People everywhere, and in Canada, too, have benefited from the love, labour and often blatant exploitation of Filipino women (and men) working abroad, separated from their own beloved families. This book is a double testament—to the heartbreaking human cost of such a system and to the tenacity, humour and strength of the people who survive it.”
Upcoming Events
LiterASIAN Festival
Vancouver, British Columbia
Saturday, May 4 2024, 6.00pm – 7.30pm:
Between Bowls of Borrowed Rice: Harvesting Hope Through Storytelling
Featuring Ujjal Dosanjh, Lindsay Wong, Jennilee Austria-Bonifacio, Keiko Honda
Moderated by Julia Lin
Sunday, May 5 2024, 12.00pm – 3.00pm:
Wine and Dine: Dim Sum with Authors (Collaboration between LiterASIAN and Word Vancouver)
Featuring Joy Kogawa, Angie Wong, Ujjal Dosanjh, Lindsay Wong, Jennilee Austria-Bonifacio, Keiko Honda
Salaysay - Filipino Literary Festival of Toronto
May 25, 2024
Toronto, ON
Barbara Frum Public Library
Event details TBA
Saskatchewan Festival of Words
Moose Jaw, SK
1. Session with Jennilee Austria-Bonifacio and Jael Richardson
Friday, July 19, 9:00-9:50
Taylor Room, MJ Public Library
2. Session with Jennilee Austria-Bonifacio and Alexander David Robertson
Friday, July 19, 1:00-1:50
Art Museum Theatre, MJ Public Library
3. Session with Jennilee Austria-Bonifacio and Cara-Lyn Morgan
Saturday, July 20, 2:10PM - 3:00PM
Taylor Room, MJ Public Library
Features (English)
-BNN - “Jennilee Austria-Bonifacio: A Voice for the Filipino Diaspora in Canada”
-CBC - All in a Weekend with Sonali Karnick - “Filipina-Canadian community worker writes novel that highlights issues for her community”
-CBC - The Next Chapter with Ali Hassan - “Jennilee Austria-Bonifacio’s fiction tells the stories of Filipino immigrants in Canada”
-CBC Books - “How Jennilee Austria-Bonifacio translated decades of work with Filipino newcomers into powerful fiction” - Alice Wu
-CBC - Here and Now - “Tuesday Book Club: Jennilee Austria-Bonifacio” - Talia Schlanger
-CBC - Daybreak Alberta with Paul Karchut
-CBC - Fresh Air with Ismaila Alfa
-CBC - In Town and Out (Ottawa) with Giacomo Panico
-CBC - North by Northwest with Margaret Gallagher - “Jenilee Austra-Bonafacio [sic] on her book "Reuniting With Strangers”
-CBC - Saskatchewan Weekend with Peter Mills
-CBC - The Weekend Morning Show Manitoba with Nolan Kehler
-CBC - The Weekender (NWT/YT) with Jared Monkman
-CBC - Weekend AM Gander with Melissa Tobin
-CKNW - The Jas Johal Show - “Reuniting with Strangers: Documenting the Filipino-Canadian Experience”
-Desi News - “Bookworm - Near and Should Be Dearer”
-EPIC Generation Table Talk - “Turning Pages: A Bookish Conversation with Jennilee Austria-Bonifacio” - Christine Santos
-Good News Pilipinas - “Jennilee Austria-Bonifacio Honors Fil-Can Diaspora With Debut Book Reuniting With Strangers” - Qjiel Mariano
-Oh Canada - “Arts and Entertainment: Reuniting with Strangers by Jennilee Austria-Bonifacio”
-Ottawa Citizen - “Finding Connections”
-Philippine Canadian News - “Jennilee Austria’s story on reunification is second runner-up” - Charmaine Rodriguez Kara
-Philippine Canadian News - Book About Filipino Diaspora in Canada Launched” - Charmaine Rodriguez Kara
-Philippine Consulate General: Vancouver, Canada - “Filipino-Canadian Author Launches a Novel on Reunification of Filipino Caregiver Families in Canada” - Ma. Lyra Ocampo
-Radyo Kapwa - “Jennilee Austria Bonifacio, Founder of Filipino Talks” - Centre Kapwa
-The Commentary - “The writer, community worker and mentor Jennilee Austria-Bonifacio discusses her debut novel Reuniting with Strangers” - Joseph Planta
-Toronto Metropolitan University - On the Record - “Author Jennilee Austria-Bonifacio uses her writing to reflect on her Filipino-Canadian Community” - Zoie Karagiannis
Features (Filipino)
-OMNI TV - “Bagong libro ng Pilipinang may-akda na Reuniting With Strangers mababasa na” - Keisha Balatbat
-RCI - Mga balita sa Canada sa 7 wika - “Isang nobela tungkol sa muling pagsasama ng pamilya ng mga Pilipinong caregiver” - Catherine Dona
-RCI - Mga balita sa Canada sa 7 wika - “Sa loob ng Little Manila, ang nagkokonekta sa Filipino Canadians sa Toronto”
-Philippine Consulate General of Vancouver - “Filipino-Canadian Author Launches a Novel on Reunification of Filipino Caregiver Families in Canada” - Ma. Lyra Ocampo
Lists
-CBC Books - The Best Canadian Fiction of 2023
-CBC Books - Canada Reads 2024 Longlist
-CBC Books - 18 books by past CBC Short Story Prize winners and finalists from 2023
-CBC Books - 55 books by past CBC Literary Prizes winners and finalists that came out in 2023
-CBC Books - 74 works of Canadian fiction to read in fall 2023
-CBC Books - Former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi shares 6 books to build your empathy
-Douglas & McIntyre - Outstanding Literature by Women
-Mabuhay Canada - 7 Must Read Filipino Books
-The 49th Shelf - 10 Editors’ Picks for September 2023
-Tina May Reads - 2023 CanLit Fiction Faves
-Toronto.com - Our books editor on the 30 (plus!) new reads we can’t wait to cosy up with this fall
-Toronto Metropolitan University - The 2023 TMU Alumni Book List
-Toronto Star - Our books editor on the 30 (plus!) new reads we can’t wait to cosy up with this fall
Reviews
-Broadview - Robert Liwanag
-Canadian Filipino Net - Maria Veronica Caparas
-Inquirer Manila - Jelou Galang
-Mabuhay Canada - Yona M. Harvey
-Maganda Bookshelf - Dani Alcalde-Sidloski
-Pages on the Train - Dani Magsumbol
-Quill & Quire - Emily Mernin
-The Ampersand Review - Sahar Golshan
-The British Columbia Review - Valerie Green
-Tina May Reads - Tina May
-Whistler Writers Festival - Angela Bueno
Bookings
As a professional public speaker, Jennilee Austria-Bonifacio is open to book clubs, lunch & learns, writing seminars, youth workshops, keynote speeches, and more. Whether the format is in-person, online, or hybrid, Jennilee is open to audiences including emerging writers, book lovers, students, academics, and settlement staff. To inquire about bookings in Canada and the United States, please contact her here.
Past Events
Moderating at the North York Central Library, and joining the Salaysay crew in welcoming Gina Apostol to Toronto.
Moderating for Gina Apostol: La Tercera at the Toronto Public Library
April 23, 2024
Toronto, ON
6:00 Doors Open
Tickets: Free
In conversation with award-winning author Gina Apostol about her latest novel, La Tercera, at the North York Central Library Concourse.
With Ann Y.K. Choi and Shelly Kawaja at gritLIT. Photo by Tena Laing.
gritLIT Festival
Hamilton, Ontario
April 20, 2024
And So, It Starts
12:30 p.m. | Mainstage Event
In the first scenes of Reuniting with Strangers, five-year-old Monolith destroys his mother’s home. The Raw Light of Morning begins when fourteen-year-old Laurel commits an act of violence that alters the course of her life. Jennilee Austria-Bonifacio and Shelly Kawaja share two stunning debut novels about the long-reaching and sometimes surprising consequences of childhood traumas, both on the victims and on everyone around them. Moderated by Ann Y.K. Choi.
gritLIT workshop: Social Media for Writers
April 21, 2024
Social Media for Writers (in-person)/Social Media for Writers (virtual)
12:30 p.m. | Writing Workshop (in-person and virtual)
Writing is a competitive field, and now more than ever, writers need to know how to build a presence online. Author Jennilee Austria-Bonifacio looks at social media as a tool for writers and discusses creating an authentic voice online, how to use design programs, tips and tricks for different platforms, and strategies for using social media in an intentional way to learn about a subject and connect with new readers. Participants will have the opportunity to create their own sample posts.
FCSWN - Filipino-Canadian Social and Community Workers Network
April 11, 2024
Online
A presentation and podcast recording The Filipino Canadian Social and Community Workers Network presents Tayo Na!: A Live Podcast Recording. Using a balance of humour and heart, this event will shine a light on the real-life inspirations that drove the stories behind Reuniting with Strangers and on Jennilee's journey in the Canadian publishing industry. For aspiring writers and frontline workers alike.
March 4, 2024
Moderating for KALÍNGÀ & TESFAYE - Reflecting on youth identity and mental health through experiences of migration
Toronto, Ontario
Group photo at the Burlington Public Library
January 22, 2024
Talk at Burlington Public Library - Central Branch
Burlington, ON
With Ali Hassan and Ryan B. Patrick after recording The Next Chapter.
January 2024
CBC The Next Chapter with Ali Hassan
Toronto, ON
An interview with Ali Hassan about Reuniting with Strangers and representing the Filipino-Canadian diaspora in fiction. Listen here.
With Cayley Brightside, Moez Surani, Sofia Mostaghimi, and Alison Gadsby.
November 26, 2023
Junction Reads - TYPE Books Junction
Toronto, ON
Celebrating the return of in-person Junction Reads events at TYPE Books with Sofia Mostaghimi and Moez Surani.
With Filipinas of HamOnt, the Filipino McMaster Student Association, and the Hamilton Public Library.
November 25, 2023
Hamilton Public Library - Robin Lacambra in Conversation with Jennilee Austria-Bonifacio
Hamilton, ON
A lively, uplifting event presented at the Hamilton Public Library in partnership with Filipinas of HamONT and Filipino Students of McMaster University.
With Centre Kapwa at the SHIFT Centre for Social Transformation.
November 18, 2023
Reuniting with Strangers Book Launch with Centre Kapwa
Montreal, QC
A community-filled launch event at Concordia University’s SHIFT Centre for Social Transformation featuring Allan Matudio, Lorina Mapa, and Deann Louise C. Nardo.
With Kevin Chong, Erum Shazia Hasan, William Ping, and Tom Stewart at Whistler Writers Festival.
October 14, 2023
Whistler Writers Festival
Whistler, BC
“Writers of Fiction” - Reading with Jennilee Austria-Bonifacio, Erum Shazia Hasan, William Ping, and Tom Stewart. Moderated by Kevin Chong.
With Vincent Ternida, Kawika Guillermo, Leah Ranada, and Christine Añonuevo at Massy Arts Society.
October 12, 2023
Reuniting with Strangers Vancouver Book Launch + Magdaragat Readings
Massy Arts Society
Vancouver, BC
Vancouver launch of Reuniting with Strangers, with readings by Filipino-Canadian writers published in Magdaragat: An Anthology of Filipino-Canadian Writing: Christine Añonuevo, Kawika Guillermo, Leah Ranada, and Vincent Ternida.
With members of the Asian-Canadian Writers Workshop in Vancouver.
October 8, 2023
Reuniting with Strangers at the Asian-Canadian Writers Workshop
Floata Restaurant
Vancouver, BC
An ACWW dimsum feast and a meet-and-greet with author Jennilee Austria-Bonifacio. An opportunity for storytellers, designers, and historians to connect across generations.
With Brooke Lockyer, Carey Sookocheff, and Craig Shreve at TIFA.
September 24, 2023
Toronto International Festival of Authors
“Write the Neighbourhood” - Readings with Jennilee Austria-Bonifacio, Brooke Lockyer, Craig Shreve, and Carey Sookocheff. This event will spotlight a selection of authors taking you on a tour around the city via the most reliable form of transportation Toronto has to offer — the written word! Whether it’s a short story or essay, poem or illustration, each author is sure to show you what they love about the city they call home.
At the Eden Mills signing table with Sahar Golshan (SO LOUD!) and Michelle Porter (A Grandmother Begins the Story).
September 10, 2023
Eden Mills Writers’ Festival
“My Side of the Story” - A panel with Sabyasachi Nag (Hands Like Trees), and Michelle Porter (A Grandmother Begins the Story), moderated by Ann Y.K. Choi (Once Upon An Hour)
With Pluma members featured at the Toronto launch of Reuniting with Strangers: Jaisa Sulit, Shirley Camia, Eric Tigley (missing: Motzie Dapul).
September 9, 2023
Toronto Book Launch
Centre for Social Innovation