42 pages • 1 hour read
480
Novel • Fiction
Philippines • Late 1800s
1887
Adult
18+ years
In Noli Me Tángere by José Rizal, Don Crisóstomo Ibarra, of Filipino and Spanish descent, returns to the Philippines after seven years in Europe and becomes aware of the oppressive Spanish colonial rule. Determined to improve his homeland, he confronts powerful adversaries who see him as a threat, especially the friar Father Dámaso, who opposes Ibarra's reform efforts and his engagement to María-Clara. The novel includes depictions of violence and oppression.
Informative
Mysterious
Dark
Melancholic
Inspirational
8,499 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
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José Rizal's Noli Me Tángere is widely praised for its incisive critique of Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines, with rich, evocative descriptions and compelling characters. However, some find its dense historical context overwhelming. Overall, it is a powerful, though complex, examination of societal ills.
A reader who enjoys Noli Me Tángere by José Rizal likely has an interest in historical fiction, post-colonial studies, and political criticism. Comparable to readers of Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes and One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez, they appreciate rich cultural contexts and nuanced character explorations.
8,499 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
480
Novel • Fiction
Philippines • Late 1800s
1887
Adult
18+ years
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