A deep insight into Inperialism, Catholocism, and the iner struggle of a people struggling for independence. Everone tells me Crisitomo is Rizal's alter ego but I say so are Elias and Tobias. They represent the inner strugle in Rizal's own mind as he desires to change his nation.

To those who are not familiar with Philippine history, this story might seem a little bit like yet another sappy Victorian romance/tragedy. But this is one of those rare books that actually changed the history of that nation, and indeed the world. Written in the mid-1890's(if I remember correctly), Rizal managed to portray all the degredation, corruption, hypocrisy, and brutality of the Spanish government and Roman Catholic clergy in the Philippines. His own country-men were not spared from the criticism either, stating "There are no tyrants where there are no slaves." As a result of this scathing portrait and the uprising that stemmed from it. he was given a mock-trial for treason, and executed by firing squad - in the back- by the Spaniards. Their 400+ year rule ended just a few years later. To the history buff, this hard-to-find book is a definite MUST READ.

I was required to read this book, reluctantly I did. Then I came to like it. I enjoyed it but not among my favorites. I can say that it wasn't horrible, and at the least it was entertaining.

It was awkward. This book was originally written in Spanish and then translated to English, so it just did not flow for me.

tangkilikin ang produktong pilipino!

Great Book

I read the Filipino version for school and it drove me insane. There were some characters I liked, but the end killed me. It's like Rizal ran out of ideas so he decided to finish the book quickly. Also, the love story bits were just annoying. El Fili was way better.

This author/ophthalmologist/Philippine hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, wrote an epic based on his experiences during the spanish era. The book was originally written in Spanish, first published in 1887 in Berlin. Later it was translated into Tagalog (although the kind of Tagalog spoken back then). In other words, it's like the filipino version of a Shakespearean work...damn near impossible to read! It says the translation of the title is "Touch Me Not" or sometimes "Do Not Desire Me", but a more accurate translation would be "Cease Holding onto Me".

Rizal's alter ego, Crisostomo Ibarra, was a filipino bachelor who after seven years of studying in Europe, returned to the Philippines. He first visited a young lady by the name of Maria Clara, his fiancee. She was a daughter of Captain Tiago, a rich man who was affiliated with the church and was oppressive to the poor.

On his way back to his house, he encountered Guevara, a civil guard who told Crisostomo that his father was dead. He elaborated that he was sentenced for defending a poor filipino student who was needlessly beaten by a spaniard on his way to school. When the spaniard intended to retaliate, Don Ibarra struck him in the head with a stone which killed him. He was sent to prison and died of sickness. Father Damaso, who always hated Don Ibarra, sent somebody to take him out of the Catholic grave and to put him in the Chinese cementery. Because it was raining that day and the corpse was particularly heavy, Don Ibarra's body was recklessly thrown into a nearby lake.

Instead of seeking revenge, Crisostomo proceeded to do what his father intended to do before he died. He built a prestigious school just like those in Germany. At the celebration and blessing of its opening night, Crisostomo would have been killed if it weren't for his friend, Elias, who heard about Father Damaso's intent to assassinate him. The bullet missed and the priest's plan was foiled.

At the banquet following the celebration, Father Damaso's hateful speech about Don Ibarra nearly drove Crisostomo to slit his throat with a knife but Maria Clara stopped him. Because of this incident, Crisostomo was sent to the Arch Bishop and was ex-communicated. During which time, the priest convinced Captain Tiago to sever Maria Clara's wedding agreement with Ibarra. They newly elected a spaniard by the name of Linares, a newcomer to the Philippines.

Ibarra arranged papers appealing his situation, and was granted. However, this was short-lived. He was yet again framed and sent to jail for leading a riot which destroyed the civil house. During the trial, a letter written by Crisostomo to Maria Clara gave evidence that he was innocent. The case was settled and he was set free. Upon leaving, Crisostomo spoke to Maria Clara alone.

He scolded her for revealing the secret letters he wrote her, even though it meant evidence that aided his case. He made her swear that she would get it back and keep it safe. Maria Clara lied and swore she would, even though she knew that the letters had already been stolen and was replaced by other letters. These letters were written by Maria Clara's mother before she was born. They revelealed that Maria Clara was not a true daughter of Captain Tiago and confessed that Father Damaso was her real biological father. She then told Crisostomo that the reason why Father Damaso hated Ibarra is because her mother's last wish was for her daughter to marry the spaniard, Linares. Maria Clara assured him that even though this was the case, her love for him will never fade away.

They were interrupted by Elias, who informed Crisostomo that he needed to flee. He helped him escape in a boat filled with grass for Ibarra to hide under. They passed through the river and was almost out the bay when the spanish guards caught them. To distract them, Elias jumped into the water. They shot at him until he swam no more.

The next day, the newspaper stated that Crisostomo Ibarra was dead. She lost hope and resigned to be a nun. Father Damaso refused but she threatened to kill herself if her wish was not granted. Two days later, Elias surfaced near-death. He screamed, "I will die without seeing the bright dawn of a new day in my country! To those who will see, greet her--and don't forget those who were silenced in the dark of night!"

its all abt the joel torre moment...haha kidding. READ THIS.

The book that caused the Philippino revolution, which in turn brought about US colonisation, which invited Japanese confrontation which caused the War in the Pacific and the eventual dropping of the atom bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Amazing.