A BOOK REVIEW: A DEAFENING SILENCE?: THE MUTE ECHOING BACK THE SOLEMN LANTERN MAKER Merlinda Bobis New South Wales, Australia: Murdoch Books Pty. Ltd. 2008, 207 pages ISBN: 9781741960785 . Reviewed by Judith Balares Salamat· "Batang-bata ka pa at marami ka panglKailangang malaman at intindihin sa mundo/Van ang totoolNagkakamali ka kung akala rno nalAng buhay ay isangmumunting paraiso lamang." Dr. Judith Balares Salam at, M.A. +639192979337 is an Associate Professor at the Camarines Sur State Agricultural College (CSSAC), Pili, Camarines Sur, Philippines, teaching Literature, English, and Journalism. Her avocation is writing poetry and creative nonfiction.er Master's Degree in Instructional Technology at Ohio University- USA. 98 Celt, Volume 9, Number 1, July 2009:88-98 know nothing of the reality around them. Their experiences will tell these adults the truth and somehow convince them to realize if, to use the words of the writer, "anguish can be made bearable and injustice can be overturned" (Bobis, home website). REFERENCES Apo Hiking Society. "Batang-Bata ka Pa." In Lyrics Mode. http://www. lyricsmode.com/lyrics/a/apo _hiking_ societylbatang_ bata _ ka ....Pa.ht mi. Re trieved 14 June 2009. Bobis, Merlinda. Website. http://www.merlindabobis.com.aul. Retrieved 18 June 2009. Fair, Dona. "Son of Pinetop woman helps strengthen bonds with Filipinos." wmicentral.com. 2008. http://www.wmicentral.com/ site/news.cfm?newsid=19473522&BRD=2264&PAG=461&dept_i d=506173&rfi=6. Retrieved 18 June 2009. Grenz, S. J., A Primer on Postmodernism.Grand Rapids: Cambridge University Press, 1995:8. In http://www.webtruth.org/articles/ cultural-issues26/postmodernism-35.html. Retrieved 14 June 2009. "Launch of second novel for FCA creative writing lecturer: The Solemn Lantern MaJceY' In http://www.uow.edu.aulcrearts/newslUOW04 2237.hunl. Retrieved 18 June 2009. L'Estrange, Sarah. Radio Interview. The Book Show. ABC Radio National. In http://www.abc.net.aulrnlbookshow/stories/2008/2291_908.htIn. Retrieved 18 June 2009. Siriban, Dianne Rae E. "Handouts for an oral report on Postcolonialism." In Scribd. http://www.scribdcomldoc/8734096/0ra1-Report-on-Post- Colo nialCri ticism-Handouts. Retrieved 18 June 2009.