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ambershelf 's review for:
Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not)
by José Rizal
After his studies in Europe, Crisóstomo Ibarra returns to the Philippines and meets the town's parish priest at a party. While Crisóstomo has grand ideas for the future of his country, he experiences hostilities and pushback from the Catholic Church. What ensues is a struggle between Asian resistance and European colonialism.
TÁNGERE, translated from Spanish into English, is a literary journey that took me through the intricacies of Philippine society under Spanish occupation. The translation is surprisingly modern despite its historical context and provides a vivid portrayal of the challenges faced by each character.
TÁNGERE delves deep into theology and Catholic Church structures, which left me perplexed since I don't know much about Christianity. A quick Google search helped me understand the significance of the Christianity-related elements, but it might be a stumbling block for readers unfamiliar with the cultural and historical context.
What makes TÁNGERE epic is its role in inspiring Philippine independence. The narrative, however, tends to meander into tangents, making it challenging to follow the main story. Personally, I found myself consulting the Wikipedia plot summary for clarification as I progressed through each chapter, ensuring a more comprehensive understanding.
Regardless of its stylistic shortcomings, TÁNGERE paints a vivid picture of the horror and injustices endured under the Spanish occupation, with a critical eye on the Church's role in exacerbating rather than alleviating the suffering of the people. The last 10% of the book is where the story truly grips me, offering relevance that extends beyond its historical setting and into contemporary issues.
Despite the initial challenges, I am grateful for the opportunity to read this Asian classic, as it provides valuable insights into the Philippines' history and the fight for independence. I'm so excited for the next Asian classics group read and the chance to explore more literary gems that broaden my understanding of different Asian cultures and histories.
TÁNGERE, translated from Spanish into English, is a literary journey that took me through the intricacies of Philippine society under Spanish occupation. The translation is surprisingly modern despite its historical context and provides a vivid portrayal of the challenges faced by each character.
TÁNGERE delves deep into theology and Catholic Church structures, which left me perplexed since I don't know much about Christianity. A quick Google search helped me understand the significance of the Christianity-related elements, but it might be a stumbling block for readers unfamiliar with the cultural and historical context.
What makes TÁNGERE epic is its role in inspiring Philippine independence. The narrative, however, tends to meander into tangents, making it challenging to follow the main story. Personally, I found myself consulting the Wikipedia plot summary for clarification as I progressed through each chapter, ensuring a more comprehensive understanding.
Regardless of its stylistic shortcomings, TÁNGERE paints a vivid picture of the horror and injustices endured under the Spanish occupation, with a critical eye on the Church's role in exacerbating rather than alleviating the suffering of the people. The last 10% of the book is where the story truly grips me, offering relevance that extends beyond its historical setting and into contemporary issues.
Despite the initial challenges, I am grateful for the opportunity to read this Asian classic, as it provides valuable insights into the Philippines' history and the fight for independence. I'm so excited for the next Asian classics group read and the chance to explore more literary gems that broaden my understanding of different Asian cultures and histories.