Image courtesy of the Cat Gablin Facebook page
To be quite honest, the past week has been difficult. A lot of it being due to the literal unbearable heat the country is suffering right now. Even now, it’s something that just seems to be pressing on me like a blanket and not one of those weighted kinds that make you feel good and stuff.
Now what does that have to do with this blog? The heat has been so intense that I’ve been getting headaches. I’ve barely been able to do my actual paying job, much less something that I’m not getting paid for. It’s not like it’s any better now, but I’m looking for any distraction from the heat because the fan is only focused on me and I’ve drank about as much water as I possibly can.
Uwian: A WLW Anthology actually first came out in 2018, but I was only able to get a copy of it during the recent #AprilFeelsDay2024 organized by Romance Class. It was part of the book exchange that was held that day and since I am woefully behind when it comes to reading WLW fiction I took it as a chance to not just read more WLW fiction but to just read more this year. I used to finish a book a week pre-pandemic!
Just a little over 50 pages, Uwian: A WLW Anthology is a quick read that packs a lot of variety when it comes to the artwork it features. The only similarity is that they’re all in black and white but otherwise it’s a varied selection that’s sure to tickle the fancy of different readers.
There’s also some variety in the stories inside, although I do personally wish there was more variety? I don’t think that’s the creators’ fault though, because it was probably expensive to put this out back in 2018 with the type of paper they used. Add to that the fact that it’s illustrations, that probably hiked up the price even more. It’s understandable why some of the stories included are just snapshots of what could be or should be a bigger story. In some cases, it’s just literally one scene.
The standout story among the bunch is “Retouch”, which was able to convey a truly kilig moment with all the limitations that would have come with this project. It packs a lot of punch for a short story. A punch delivered on the lips by another set of lips ostensibly testing out non-smudge lipstick.
“Wildflowers” and “Ang Favorite Subject ko Ay Dismissal” are also two stories that I liked but I do wish was longer because both of them felt just like the start of something more substantive? As it is in its printed from, they come of as just really good teasers to a longer story that I would like to read if it ever become available.
All in all, Uwian: A WLW Anthology was a great read that I wish I had read when it first came out. Hopefully, the artists have gone on to do more stuff and write longer stories!
Ron Does Stuff 
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