Customer Reviews

Dusk: A Novel (Modern Library Paperbacks)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Initially, I intended to read Dusk simply in order to finish my research concerning Filipino Literature. When I completed reading this novel, however, I found myself more deeply reflective about my own history as a Filipino-American as well as the effects of Spanish colonization.

What Jose achieves in writing Dusk is a window: a window into the detrimental psychological and social effects of a people under oppression and assimilation. Within the confines of the novel itself, the characters shift and become symbols expressing the themes of loss, anger, and confusion. There is a lot to be learned from the characters and their fate: People can be forced into submission physically, but the spirit is made of an unbreakable bond. A people under oppression eventually break free.

Jose reclaims his Filipino heritage by recognizing the history that is a cornerstone to most modern perceptions and attitudes. This book is a definite piece to read in re/constructing one's knowledge of the Philippines, its history, or simply as a tool to understanding the overall impact of oppression/colonization.

This book is a great resource, and moving piece of literature. If you are a fan of Jose's work, share these same ideas, or curious about these issues just as much as I am then feel free to e-mail me.

I used this novel for a college course that I teach, and my students loved it. It really peaked their interest in Filipino history, the Spanish-American war, and the history of Christianity in the Philippines. It is a beautifully written book; a wonderful way to introduce students to a variety of issues, including colonialism (especially Spanish and U.S. imperialism in the pacific), Christianity in Asia, and Filipino studies.

In this work, F. Sionil Jose writes a kind of folk tale, describing the long history of what could be his family. Istak, the main character is clearly styled to be the hero of the story, undergoing a development from self-centered scholar, then father of a family and barrio to becoming a true Filipino patriot who is willing to give his life for the nation. During this development, Jose shows the suffering of the poor people, from various oppressors, but much more intense than Rizal did. Where Rizal mentions an injustice that happens, Jose shows ist in all details. And he also shows the heroism of the poor people, and he makes clear that it is the poor people that matters when it comes to building a nation that deserves this name.
A must for every reader who wantsto know more about history and psychology of the Philippines, or respectively, all ex-colonized people.

What a wonderful book! As soon as I read the opening pages of the novel, I was hooked, couldn't put it down. I sometimes forgot I was turning pages. The vivid characters, the sceneries, the events, the history, Filipiniana..I was awestruck with to learn about my roots. Growing up in the US, I rarely had the chance to read about Philippine history. This book opened up so much for me. All my five senses were in use at almost every page. F. Sionil Jose can really weave a tale, a writer par exellance. I quickly bought the sequels to this opening "Rosales" saga and am looking forward to reading them. I am sure they are just as captivating. Maraming salamat po (thank you very much) to Mr. Jose and to the publishers.

I got my hands on this (Dusk) book by happenstance and enjoyed it immensely. I admire Sionil Jose's incredible talent. I immediately bought the other books (Don Vicente and Samsons) and devoured both of them in four days. These books piqued my deepest sense of pride as a Filipino (and an Ilocano!). I am also saddened at the helplessness and hopelessness of the filipino masses. Read it simply for the enjoyment of a well-written book, and/or to learn and understand a complex people.

This is an amazing account of Philippine history never found in the history book sof our time. Jose is a poetic writer with an agility with words hardly found with any of his contemporaries. Dusk reads like an epic... true and moving!

Hypnotically beautiful... F. Sionil Jose does a wonderful job of pulling the reader into the alternately fascinating and repulsive world of the turn-of-the-century Philippines. You can't help but notice the tension between illusion and reality--that while the setting could be tranquil at times, there is always this underlying anticipation of tragedy, especially with Istak's encounters with the Spanish and the Americans.

I found myself envisioning the people and their lives. They were much the same as in 1944-45 when I was at Dagupan, Lingayen, and FLoridablanca on Luzon and at San Roque on Leyte. They have had much hardship and it comes through so vividly in "Dusk" I want to read the other four novels in the Rosales Saga but apparently they are not available.

Sionil Jose is one of many favorite fiction writers. The book on the Rosales' family saga as impacted by the Spanish-American war, politics, military duty, the clash of religion, asian and european culture are masterfully told in this book and series. It is at once a bittersweet yet glorious story of the depravity of humanity and strength-of-will to also rise above sorrow and hardship. Since the Philippines (named after King Felipe--aka anglicized Philip--of Spain)was discovered by Europe by Magellan in 1521, the european influence was rooted in the east Asian country for nearly nearly 380 years then almost 60 years by the U.S. The Rosales series is a fascinating look into the impact of societal/political/military changes upon the common people as seen through these complex fictional characters.

Noone comes close to capturing the readers attention writing about his homeland and characters than Jose. Because noone has lived it, faught for it, and cares for it more than Jose. Dusk is one the best examples of Jose's work.