Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by boyblue
Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not) by José Rizal
5.0
Few books can claim to have changed the fate of a nation. Noli Me Tangere is one of those few. I believe it is the only fictional text that has changed the course of history for a whole country, its effect on the Philippines is no different to Karl Marx's influence on Russia (and he wasn't even Russian). They call it the book that launched a revolution and while that may be a slight exaggeration, the place this book has in Filipino culture is undeniable. Let me address why it's so important and then I'll address why it's a great read.
- It is the first text published in the Philippines that manages to be both literary and critical of the Spanish government.
- It took the horrible collective experiences of a whole nation and condensed them into a beautiful singular narrative, a pearl of wisdom. While the nuances of the book may not have been understood by all and probably still aren't, the truth is there for those who want to find it.
- In doing the above it gave people oppressed for centuries a voice. Their trials are manifest in the struggles of Sisa, Elias and even Ibarra.
- It created an icon out of Rizal, an intellectual giant to which the Filipino people could look to as both a role model and a perfect citizen. In many ways he represents the best of the Philippines. He loves his country not just for all the hidden beauty and the people struggling day by day but for what it could be.
-It documents and crystallises Philippine history in a memorable way that wouldn't have been possible with non-fiction. It's like a time capsule for the modern day Filipino.
As for why it's a good read.
-I read it in english so much credit must go to the translator but the book is beautifully written.
- The characters leap off the page. Pilosopo Tacio, Elias, Sisa, Dona Victorina, Padre Bernardo Salví are so vivid. You may recognise people from your life in the characters or at least stereotypes which you have experienced from people in similar roles.
- The plot is excellent. The pieces are set early on and the game is fierce. We see a strong noble character swallowed and consumed by the evil that resists his good deeds. We then see some of these weak willed and evil characters receive their comeuppance towards the end.
- Rizal manages to weave in so many historical facts and indicators of his deep education without letting it ruin the narrative in any way. You almost feel like he's making you smarter while entertaining you.
- It is the first text published in the Philippines that manages to be both literary and critical of the Spanish government.
- It took the horrible collective experiences of a whole nation and condensed them into a beautiful singular narrative, a pearl of wisdom. While the nuances of the book may not have been understood by all and probably still aren't, the truth is there for those who want to find it.
- In doing the above it gave people oppressed for centuries a voice. Their trials are manifest in the struggles of Sisa, Elias and even Ibarra.
- It created an icon out of Rizal, an intellectual giant to which the Filipino people could look to as both a role model and a perfect citizen. In many ways he represents the best of the Philippines. He loves his country not just for all the hidden beauty and the people struggling day by day but for what it could be.
-It documents and crystallises Philippine history in a memorable way that wouldn't have been possible with non-fiction. It's like a time capsule for the modern day Filipino.
As for why it's a good read.
-I read it in english so much credit must go to the translator but the book is beautifully written.
- The characters leap off the page. Pilosopo Tacio, Elias, Sisa, Dona Victorina, Padre Bernardo Salví are so vivid. You may recognise people from your life in the characters or at least stereotypes which you have experienced from people in similar roles.
- The plot is excellent. The pieces are set early on and the game is fierce. We see a strong noble character swallowed and consumed by the evil that resists his good deeds. We then see some of these weak willed and evil characters receive their comeuppance towards the end.
- Rizal manages to weave in so many historical facts and indicators of his deep education without letting it ruin the narrative in any way. You almost feel like he's making you smarter while entertaining you.