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I read the novel back when I was still in my primary level with a comic presentation that’s why I

liked it but actually really didn’t understand what it’s all about. Maybe, it’s that, it’s just colorful

that’s why I liked it or oh I don’t know how to describe it.

I attempted to read again the "Noli Me Tangere" when I was in my second year college, but I

couldn't get into it, maybe because I don’t have the time that much or I don’t just have the guts to

read it because the novel is too long. The first chapter isn’t that interesting, and I got tired of

constantly flipping back to the footnotes. That’s why I ended of not continue reading it back

then.

I have to admit, the only reason why I read the book now is because we were required to take it

up. If it wasn't pushed by the Department of Education I wouldn't even think of reading this

novel because it's quite long even when our instructor won’t required us to critique the book then

I will not push myself to read it. Good thing my cousin has the annotated copy with questions

after every chapter to help me understand the novel deeply with Filipino and English translations

for me to compare.

Noli Me Tangere was a patriotic novel written by the national hero of the Philippines Dr. Jose

Rizal. The book paints an ugly yet clear picture of the social cancer which deteriorates both the

society and the government. A passionate love story set against the ugly political backdrop of

repression, torture, and murder. In more than a century since its appearance, José Rizal’s Noli

Me Tangere has become widely known as the great novel of the Philippines has also shown in

the movie. "The Noli," as it is called here in the Philippines, was the first major artistic

manifestation of Asian resistance to European colonialism, and Rizal became a guiding

conscience—and martyr—for the revolution that would subsequently rise up in the Spanish

province.

I know not a lot of book tends to review the books from centuries ago. Some of it is books that

are given from the school which is interesting but not all. Yes, I know, I love young adult fiction,

maybe because I consider myself as kid. But this one, believe me, it is as good as anything out

there. I love reading facts from centuries ago but not a novel. But as you continually read on,
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everything gets interesting and I mean that. You might as well pick up a few bits of Philippine

history in it. The narrations are very descriptive, so I don't see the huge problem about that. If

you are not familiar with Philippine history and culture you might find it difficult to appreciate

the novel. Some parts of it may seem exaggerated (like the crocodile scene) or trivial (Fr.

Damaso going irate over 'tinola') so it is important to know where the author is coming from to

understand why such scenes are important in the development of the story.

I really wanted to try all of my best to describe how much I really liked this book. Tragedy, irony

and a few realistic ideas are engraved in its pages. I really like how every character seems to

have their own roles, their own importance in the story--making it as beautiful as whatever it is

made for. Rizal was a real genius, he created characters that you would never forget. Certain

chapters are incredibly compelling, and it really picks up towards the middle. I found myself

poring over and bookmarking passages. The story is epic, rife with symbolism that spans

cultures. The violence is intense and gory, there's a sensual undercurrent, and characters both

likable and loathsome.

The novel was set in the Philippines on the late 19th century when the country is still under

Spanish rule. The book revolves upon depicting the abuse and discrimination suffered by the

native Indios at the hands of the Spanish tyrants.

In this book, Rizal introduces the character of Juan Crisostomo Ibarra, the main protagonist, was

a cut above the rest. The strength of his character lies with the wealth he inherited from his

father, the late Don Rafael Ibarra. He has so many connections, he was admired by even the most

prominent social figures in Manila as well as his majesty, the captain general himself.

Rizal used the character of Ibarra to paint an ideal person. A person perfect in all respects. Upon

Ibarra's return in his homeland, the Philippines, a dinner party was arranged in his honor.

However, things aren't anymore the same. The people whom he deemed to be his and his father's

friend have become indifferent.

The friar, Father Damaso who was once one of the most welcomed in the Ibarra household was

now criticizing even the late Don Rafael. In the mid part of the novel, Ibarra starts to unravel

more and more revelations. He unveiled mysteries regarding his father's death, he also

discovered a revolutionary plot which eventually frames him up as the mastermind.

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Ibarra's fortunes were suddenly turned into misfortunes. The love between him and his girlfriend,

Maria Clara a representation of the ideal Filipina woman, was hindered.

The story runs when Ibarra completed his studies in Europe, young Juan Crisostomo Ibarra

comes back to his motherland after a 7-year absence. In his honor, Capitan Tiago (Don Santiago

de los Santos) throws a get-together party, which is attended by Father Damaso, Fray Sibyla,

Lieutenant Guevarra, Doña Victorina, and other prominent figures. In an unfortunate incident,

Father Damaso, former curate of San Diego, belittles and slanders the young man. But the ever-

gracious and diplomatic Ibarra brushes off the insult and takes no offense; he instead politely

excuses himself and leaves the party because of an allegedly important task. Ibarra''''s sweetheart,

Maria Clara, an extraordinarily beautiful lady is known as the daughter of Capitan Tiago, an

affluent resident of Binondo. The day after the humbling party, Ibarra goes to see Maria Clara.

Their long-standing love is clearly manifested in this meeting, and Maria Clara cannot help but

reread the letters her sweetheart had written her before he went to Europe. Before Ibarra left for

San Diego, Lieutenant Guevarra (a Guardia Civil), and reveals to him the incidents preceding the

death of his father Don Rafael. Don Rafael was a rich haciendero of the town. According to the

Lieutenant, Don Rafael was unjustly accused of being a heretic, in addition to being a filibuster--

an allegation brought forth by Father Damaso because of Don Rafael''''s non-participation in

confession and mass rites. Father Dámaso's animosity against Ibarra''''s father is aggravated by

another incident. Once Don Rafael saw a tax collector and a student fighting. Out of compassion,

he helped the child. The tax collector was greatly irked and picked a fight with Don Rafael.

Unfortunately, the Spanish tax collector fell, hit his head against a rock, and died. The collector's

death was blamed on Don Rafael, and he was arrested. Suddenly, all of those who thought ill of

him surfaced with additional complaints. He was imprisoned, and just when the matter was

almost settled, he got sick and died in jail. Still not content with what he had done, Father

Damaso arranged for Don Rafael's corpse to be dug up and transferred from the Catholic

cemetery to the Chinese cemetery, because he thought it inappropriate to allow a heretic such as

Don Rafael a Catholic burial ground. Unfortunately, it was raining and because of the

bothersome weight of the cadaver, the men in charge of the burial decided to throw the corpse

into the river. Revenge was not in Ibarra's plans; instead he carries through his father's plan of
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putting up a school, since he believes that education would pave the way to his country's

liberation. During the inauguration of the school, Ibarra would have been killed in a sabotage had

Elias not saved him. Instead the hired killer met an unfortunate incident and died. The sequence

of events proved to be too traumatic for Maria Clara who got seriously ill but was luckily cured

by the medicine Ibarra sent her. After the inauguration, Ibarra hosts a luncheon during which

Father Damaso again insults him. Ibarra ignores the priest's insolence, but when the latter

slanders the memory of his dead father, he is no longer able to restrain himself and lunges at

Father Damaso, prepared to stab the latter for his impudence. His beloved Maria Clara stops him

just in time. As a consequence, the Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Church excommunicates

Ibarra. Father Damaso takes this opportunity to persuade the already-hesitant father of Maria

Clara to forbid his daughter from marrying Ibarra. The priest wishes Maria Clara to marry a

Spanish named Linares who just arrived from Spain. With the help of the Captain General,

Ibarra's excommunication is nullified and the Archbishop decides to accept him as a member of

the Roman Catholic Church once again. But, as fate would have it, some incident of which Ibarra

had known nothing.

In an instant, Ibarra's view and outlook changed. He was no longer the charming and lovable

character readers come to know. It was a sudden change of heart. Ibarra wants nothing more than

revenge.

Revenge to those who brought havoc in his life, revenge to those who betrayed him and revenge

to the oppressors. In the end of the novel, the military thought they have killed Ibarra but

fortunately he survived. He will return to take what rightfully belongs to him and his country.

In theNovel, Ibarra was never a hero; he was a victim of the harsh society.

In this book, Rizal masterfully portrayed the most liberal, realistic and fearless views of the

country during the 300-year Spanish regime. The book according to the friars was full of

subversive ideas and it was banned in the Philippines during the latter part of the 19th century.

Hence, it was Rizal's love for his country that ultimately forged the book to reality. The story

was a classic, the writing was exemplary and the purpose was genuine.

Noli Me Tangere, "Touch me not”, there's a lot of meaning into that. One of the best ways to

know the true meaning behind this peculiar and odd title is to read the whole enervating book.
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But another way is to read the appendix at the back. Probably when you get the book, the first

thing you do to keep you going on is to read the appendix first. I don't know with other versions

but my two versions’ got an appendix at the back. Going into the book, certainly, the first chapter

will tire you out. Don't worry or panic or close the book or worse, lose hope; what you do, are go

to the next chapter and go meet the main protagonist. Now, some things that might bore you in

reading this book is Rizal's (the author) way of writing. There are times when he's like, and he

came entering the fields as the wind came by; noisy as the golden whispers of our land; it blows

on to the dusty spring that awaits him ahead. But you just have to be considerate with Rizal, after

all, after those lengthy and elaborate descriptions come exciting and exhilarating scenes that

really gets you to read on and on.

This novel is pretty much filled with symbolisms and tragic incidences. They can make your

heart leaps, crash and trample over. I love the emotional elements in this story. Where it shows

different people, different personalities, and different problems. The story was quite unfair, heart

crumbling. But that's the beauty of it, not everything nice and good lasts for long.

Furthermore, I'm not really sure about how much the translator had given justice to the original

manuscript. Since I'm not verbally capable of speaking the Spanish tongue, I'm not sure if I can

ever say that. But the evidence is definite, I loved the novel. I devoured it.

I am not sure if I am being biased here but I really enjoyed this novel because it has everything in

it (drama, suspense, romance even comedy) and it gives me a glimpse of the period before the

culmination of the Philippine revolutionary war.

Criticism and attacks against the Noli and its author came from all quarters. Though this novel

was against too many people, Rizal was more eager especially when he realizes how much his

novel had awakened his countrymen, to the point of defending his novel, Rizal said: "Now I die

content." Fittingly, Rizal found it a timely and effective gesture to dedicate his novel to the

country of his people whose experiences and sufferings he wrote about, sufferings which he

brought to light in an effort to awaken his countrymen to the truths that had long remained

unspoken, although not totally unheard of.

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This book, which most Filipino students take for granted is the Bible of our country's freedom.

Its main purpose is to inform the Filipinos that time to serve their country and release it form the

cruel clutches of the tyrants. Now, the country is enjoying 112 years of independence.