El Filibusterismo

Jose Rizal’s second novel, first published in 1891, is the darker sequel to Noli Me Tangere and a cornerstone of Philippine literature. Thirteen years after the events of the first book, Crisostomo Ibarra returns to his homeland disguised as Simoun, a wealthy jeweler with the ear of the colonial elite. His idealism spent, he now plots a violent uprising against Spanish rule, quietly stockpiling weapons and stoking discontent. Around him move students, priests, and officials whose ambitions Rizal dissects with bitter satire. This English translation by Charles Derbyshire appeared under the title The Reign of Greed. The novel’s critique of empire helped stir the Philippine national movement. Free PDF and EPUB editions are available here.