The Social Cancer (Noli Me Tangere)

About this book

After seven years of study in Europe, Crisóstomo Ibarra returns to Manila to marry his childhood sweetheart, María Clara, and to open a school in his home town. He learns that his father died in prison after a quarrel with a powerful Spanish friar, Padre Dámaso, and as Ibarra tries to bring progress to the town, the friars and their allies turn against him. Around him Rizal paints a whole society: the mysterious boatman Elías, the poor mother Sisa driven mad by the loss of her sons, corrupt officials and pretentious social climbers.

Context and significance

José Rizal (1861–1896), a Filipino doctor and writer, published the novel in Berlin in 1887 under the Latin title Noli Me Tangere, 'touch me not'; it was banned by the Spanish authorities, and Rizal was executed in 1896. He is the national hero of the Philippines. This translation is by Charles Derbyshire. The story continues in The Reign of Greed.

About the author