gwyyy's review against another edition

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4.0

Reading this for an assigned task in class

Summary

Noli Me Tangere is a classic novel written by Philippine national hero Jose Rizal. It tells the story of Crisostomo Ibarra, a young Filipino who returns to his homeland after studying in Europe. The novel explores various themes such as colonialism, social inequality, and the struggles of the Filipino people during the Spanish colonization era.

My Thoughts

This novel is able to capture the realities of the colonial period in the Philippines. Rizal's writing style is descriptive and evocative, painting vivid pictures of the struggles and hardships faced by the Filipino people. The characters are well-developed, and the themes are explored in-depth, making it a valuable work of literature for anyone interested in understanding the history and culture of the Philippines.

Additionally, Noli Me Tangere is widely regarded as a cornerstone of Philippine literature and has inspired generations of Filipinos to fight for their rights and stand up against oppression. The novel's impact on the Philippine revolution cannot be understated, and it remains a source of pride for many Filipinos to this day.

However, there are also some aspects that should be noted. For one, the novel can be difficult to read and comprehend for those unfamiliar with the historical context of the Philippines. The numerous characters, subplots, and cultural references can be overwhelming for readers who are not well-versed in Philippine history and culture.

Additionally, some critics have noted that the novel can be overly sentimental and melodramatic at times. While this is not necessarily a flaw in and of itself, it can detract from the novel's overall impact and make it feel less authentic.

Overall, Noli Me Tangere is a powerful work of literature that offers a unique and insightful perspective on Philippine history and culture. While it may not be perfect, its influence on Philippine society cannot be overstated, and it remains a valuable work of literature for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of colonialism and social inequality in the Philippines.

Note: An English version of the novel is available for those who might want to read it. A portal fantasy series was also made inspired by Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo with the title Maria Clara at Ibarra and I think it's available on Netflix.

paola_mobileread's review against another edition

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3.0

It did take me a few chapters to get into the swing of it, but I eventually got into the rhythm of it, and quite enjoyed it in the end. I found it invaluable as a witness of the time, place and culture, and knowing the fate of its author made reading it all the more poignant. As a literary text, however, it was less enthusing. Of course, it was a subversive text, aiming at prodding the people to look at themselves and their society, so some black and white was in order. Still, the almost saintly purity of various of the characters (not just the two main protagonists, but several others, like Tasio, Elias, and so on) was at times irritating - those who have read [b:Cuore|1427030|Cuore|Edmondo De Amicis|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1183500024s/1427030.jpg|1417517] will know what kind of cloying, edifying sentimentalism I'm talking about.

I cannot judge how faithful to the original it is, but I greatly enjoyed the [a:Harold Augenbraum|353317|Harold Augenbraum|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] translation

emeraldgarnet's review against another edition

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4.0

Rizal's style is quite easy to understand for a nineteenth-century novel. Noli Me Tangere presents a picture of a repressed people suffocating under the influence of a corrupt clergy.

nikanika_'s review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

nkem_mabena's review against another edition

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dark emotional informative sad tense

5.0

cami_990's review

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lighthearted

reesetotle's review against another edition

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4.0

4.5/5 stars

Cliffhanger huhuhu

yannareads's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

__dan__'s review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

📚 Noli Me Tangere by Dr. Jose Rizal 📚

Dripping with lush descriptions of the Filipino fiestas surrounding our faith, Noli Me Tangere provides a solid introduction to the lifestyles of the rich and poor during colonial Philippines. As it is set in the Spanish regime, it also depicts the harsh realities of the time—some, dare I say, can be difficult to read, especially because Rizal describes the events so vividly there’s no other way but to let your mind imagine.

Rizal displays his genius in this masterfully written classic. From the idealistic Ibarra and the faithful Maria Clara, to the narcissistic friars and the lowly Sisa, no stone was left unturned and no suffering left in the shadows. Undoubtedly, this book was a call to action.

137 years after this novel was published, are we still suffering? If so, by whose hands? 4/5 ⭐️

pmyela's review against another edition

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informative sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0