This novel has been a rich source of insights into the history and culture not only of 19th-century Philippines but, as importantly, of the 20th-century as well. Its generally realistic perspective offers the reader a panoramic view of a conflicted and deeply divided colonial society. The characters in the novel stand out as recognizable types of individuals, both from the ruling class and the oppressed, and the struggles they undergo are indices to the turbulent conflicts in the 19th century.
