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Sin: A Novel
"Thank God for exceptions like myself", says filthy rich Don Carlos Cobello, for the rest of his country 'is silly'. The country in question is the Philippines, where corruption is strictly the rule. From his deathbed, Don Carlos looks back on the life he has led, from his initiation at the family's private bordello to his reign as head of a worldwide family business empire and then on to an appointment as ambassador to Peru. But--wonder of wonders--it turns out that money can't always buy love and happiness. In the end it is the barefoot servant girl of his youth that the mighty Don Carlos pines for.
Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
About the author
F. Sionil José
57 books401 followersFrancisco Sionil José was born in 1924 in Pangasinan province and attended the public school in his hometown. He attended the University of Santo Tomas after World War II and in 1949, started his career in writing. Since then, his fiction has been published internationally and translated into several languages including his native Ilokano. He has been involved with the international cultural organizations, notably International P.E.N., the world association of poets, playwrights, essayists and novelists whose Philippine Center he founded in 1958.
F. Sionil José, the Philippines' most widely translated author, is known best for his epic work, the Rosales saga - five novels encompassing a hundred years of Philippine history - a vivid documentary of Filipino life.
In 1980, Sionil José received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts.
In 2001, Sionil José was named National Artist for Literature.
In 2004, Sionil José received the Pablo Neruda Centennial Award.
F. Sionil José, the Philippines' most widely translated author, is known best for his epic work, the Rosales saga - five novels encompassing a hundred years of Philippine history - a vivid documentary of Filipino life.
In 1980, Sionil José received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts.
In 2001, Sionil José was named National Artist for Literature.
In 2004, Sionil José received the Pablo Neruda Centennial Award.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 19, 2017
This book is about a wealthy Filipino called Carlos Cobello. He is a womanizer and he is conceited. He has very little respect for women and non-meztizo Filipinos. To top it all up, he is a friend of the dictator Ferdinand Marcos(called "The Leader" in the book) and has no sympathy for the oppressed.
F. Sionil Jose did a good job on writing a character that anyone would love to hate. He also gave me an insight on a very alien experience: the lives of those extremely rich Filipinos. The people who have millions of pesos while many other Filipinos have no food. I can never imagine myself living in a mansion while many other people in the Philippines live in slums with no food or money. But the book is exactly about those type of people who live in affluence in the midst of poverty.
I'm glad to read another book by the great National Artist for Literature. I am planning to read more of his stories about the Philippines!
F. Sionil Jose did a good job on writing a character that anyone would love to hate. He also gave me an insight on a very alien experience: the lives of those extremely rich Filipinos. The people who have millions of pesos while many other Filipinos have no food. I can never imagine myself living in a mansion while many other people in the Philippines live in slums with no food or money. But the book is exactly about those type of people who live in affluence in the midst of poverty.
I'm glad to read another book by the great National Artist for Literature. I am planning to read more of his stories about the Philippines!
April 21, 2018
I thought this book was well written, I'm glad that it was a quick read. The characters in this were pretty awful. Not a book I would reread.
October 30, 2025
Historical fiction , well-written in terms of using a kind of poetic, "not-so-everyday-life" choice of English words. All the characters are unlikable though. Having said that , it is such a disgrace with the inbreeding and incest played out in this book, it just disgusts me.
October 6, 2022
He might be an author who contributed Filipino literature and yet he's such a jerk of saying things to a dead poet. Plus a huge follower of former President Durterte. Tsk (5x).
June 8, 2022
Book 66 out of 200 books
"Sin" by F. Sionil Jose
One of F. Sionil Jose's Shortest long works, "Sin" is the story of an aristocratic young man who gets entwined in many amorous relationships, from a local Filipina householder to a Japanese woman, later into the story.
It explores the topics of the exploitation of sexuality, the state of post-WW2 Philippines but most importantly, the morality of the main character, hence the daring title.
MY THOUGHTS:
So this is Sionil Jose's most daring, most *liberal, most sexual, and dirtiest work yet. I haven't read all of Sionil Jose's work but I've read most of the novels, this book among them.
I didn't really like the premise of this novel, at all! That is because, why go onslaught on the topic rape and other carnal desires without brakes? Sionil Jose wrote such a controversial work that many loathed, I included.
I gave three stars because I felt pity that Sionil Jose wouldn't get the critical reception he wants.
We have our main character, I forgot his name, who constantly forces the householder of his house to engage in carnal activities without brakes, thus leading to her pregnancy and subsequent resignation from the house.
Then World War II around, He was force to make his bones by helping in contain the war effort. But unfortunately, being from the landed gentry, he opted in collaborating instead. Nothing eventful happens in his life thereafter, but he engages in other sexual activities with women of other nationalities.
Enter Delfin, his illegitimate son from the house helper he hasn't heard of in a long long time. While Idealistic at first, he then knows of his father's grave deeds, thus him resigning from his work, the law firm he was working in, because the law firms has connections to his wealthy yet dishonest father.
The novel is only 210 pages on my edition, just 90 pages more of content than, say "Gagamba". I read this book in a night and a dawn, it was a good yet controversial read.
"Sin" by F. Sionil Jose
One of F. Sionil Jose's Shortest long works, "Sin" is the story of an aristocratic young man who gets entwined in many amorous relationships, from a local Filipina householder to a Japanese woman, later into the story.
It explores the topics of the exploitation of sexuality, the state of post-WW2 Philippines but most importantly, the morality of the main character, hence the daring title.
MY THOUGHTS:
So this is Sionil Jose's most daring, most *liberal, most sexual, and dirtiest work yet. I haven't read all of Sionil Jose's work but I've read most of the novels, this book among them.
I didn't really like the premise of this novel, at all! That is because, why go onslaught on the topic rape and other carnal desires without brakes? Sionil Jose wrote such a controversial work that many loathed, I included.
I gave three stars because I felt pity that Sionil Jose wouldn't get the critical reception he wants.
We have our main character, I forgot his name, who constantly forces the householder of his house to engage in carnal activities without brakes, thus leading to her pregnancy and subsequent resignation from the house.
Then World War II around, He was force to make his bones by helping in contain the war effort. But unfortunately, being from the landed gentry, he opted in collaborating instead. Nothing eventful happens in his life thereafter, but he engages in other sexual activities with women of other nationalities.
Enter Delfin, his illegitimate son from the house helper he hasn't heard of in a long long time. While Idealistic at first, he then knows of his father's grave deeds, thus him resigning from his work, the law firm he was working in, because the law firms has connections to his wealthy yet dishonest father.
The novel is only 210 pages on my edition, just 90 pages more of content than, say "Gagamba". I read this book in a night and a dawn, it was a good yet controversial read.
April 28, 2021
Novella structure somewhat similar to Ermita's life-story (But I liked Ermita better). Seemed like it's more of Don Carlo Cobello's 'mea culpa' but without sincere apology pointing to life's situation as the cause (i.e. War, political environment or even Delfin's necklace from Siquijor)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2023
Summary is on the bottom. Here is my review.
Led by the antihero Don Carlos Corbello, I now understand why this novel is one of the famous author's least popular works. 'Sin' keeps the reader in a dark atmosphere and tackles social, political, economic, and historical issues in a sensual manner. If you were to read 'Sin,' I recommend also reading 'Puppy Love' by the same author. Like many of Jose's novels, I expected a sad ending, but this novel had it, as critics have noted, "mediocre", in comparison to the author's other stories. Initially, I was a little disappointed by the character of Delfin, introduced as the most righteous one, yet slightly took a turn for the worse in the end; however, I realized, the story and the characters' family relations are deviantly complex, allowing for varied interpretations to his and others' actions.
Here are my personal sentiments:
*Other than with the mothers of his two children and the one with a prostitute who gave him syphilis, the length of C.C.'s other sexual affairs are irrelevant or unnecessary.
*Why were C.C.'s parents, who were major players in his life especially his dad, were not named, but micro characters such as his mother's mah-jjong playmate and the family chauffeur who made little to no appearances were?
*It is unrealistic for a caring parent such as C.C., with all his intelligence, to not know basic details about his own children. Angela and Delfin's age gap, as written in his own memoir, is "ten, twelve years", which in a sense, is unhelpful.
*Nonetheless, F. Sionil Jose's mastery of language and history are evident.
I have seen summaries online that are MISLEADING. Hence, here is a correct summary to help students:
Don Carlos "C.C./Charlie/Carling" Cobello writes a mea culpa on his deathbed.
Born to landed gentry of corrupt hypocrites, C.C. grew up with bigoted beliefs. He began an incestuous affair with his elder sister Corito and became infatuated with a native housemaid who became his greatest love, Severina, but whom his haughty father later sent away. During World War Two, C.C.'s father, who also got a position in the Puppet Government, set up a brothel where he met Adela, who gave him syphilis, who, in turn, got it from her frequent client, a Japanese colonel. Meanwhile, his incestuous affair with Corito gave birth to a sickly daughter, Angela, who was addressed as the daughter of Corito's husband, Camilo. Later, Camilo's homosexuality was revealed when he was caught in a sexual act with their male chauffeur, leading to an annulment.
C.C. and others affected by the syphilis went to Hong Kong to get it treated. He also built a shipping empire and other businesses along the way. C.C. was soon stationed in several countries (eg: Peru) as an ambassador, thanks to his loyalty to whoever was in power. He also met several women in his trips - the Korean Choonja, the Japanese Yoshiko and Reiko, the HongKonger Anne - all of whom reminded him of Severina. As a Letran alumnus but Ateneo law school dropout, C.C. got himself a chief counsel, Jacobo "Jake" Salcedo (the main character in "Puppy Love").
Now back at Manila, a provincial lad in his late teens, Delfin, introduced himself as his son with Severina, merely to fulfill his mother's dying request for Delfin to see his father. Although Delfin was detached from C.C., the latter tried his best to form a fatherly rapport with his unico hijo and heir apparent. Angela, who was about twelve years younger than Delfin and had befriended him, became their bridge. Delfin was then a bright university scholar and an aspiring pro-bono lawyer. Soon, Delfin worked as a researcher for the law firm of his idol, Atty. "Nojok," whom Carlos saw as a threat to his business interests and his political allies such as "The Leader" (obviously Marcos Sr.). Throughout the novel, C.C. and Corito maintained a sexual relationship, while also sleeping with others, including C.C. with his nieces (daughters of first cousins), and Corito with nephew Delfin once, when his high school sweetheart (LDR) stopped sending him letters and soon revealed to have married another man. Delfin reminded Corito of C.C.'s youthful prime.
Nojok's law firm later filed a lawsuit against the Cobellos' Hacienda Esperanza, with Delfin representing the unjustly treated farm peasants (including his maternal relatives). This caused a spat between the father and son, leading to Delfin running away from him.
Meanwhile, Angela's admiration and childhood crush for Delfin turned to romantic feelings as she grew into a teenager, but Delfin, who only saw Angela as a baby cousin, rejected her feelings at first. Upon learning this; Corito and Carlos sent Angela abroad to study and be away from Delfin.
C.C. availed himself of the sexual services of a Spanish beauty queen named Luisita, who carelessly placed the soap on the floor. As a result, C.C. slipped on the soap and became paralyzed, eventually falling ill.
Angela was suddenly nowhere to be found until her parents learned that she had been in cohabitation with Delfin. Angela was pregnant. They planned to marry so their child can be considered legitimate, but Corito disclosed that they were half-siblings and cannot tie the knot anyway, upon catching Corito and Delfin in a sexual embrace. Angela tearfully confided in C.C. about this but said she had forgiven her biological father, yet till the end, C.C. was unrepentant of his sins.
Led by the antihero Don Carlos Corbello, I now understand why this novel is one of the famous author's least popular works. 'Sin' keeps the reader in a dark atmosphere and tackles social, political, economic, and historical issues in a sensual manner. If you were to read 'Sin,' I recommend also reading 'Puppy Love' by the same author. Like many of Jose's novels, I expected a sad ending, but this novel had it, as critics have noted, "mediocre", in comparison to the author's other stories. Initially, I was a little disappointed by the character of Delfin, introduced as the most righteous one, yet slightly took a turn for the worse in the end; however, I realized, the story and the characters' family relations are deviantly complex, allowing for varied interpretations to his and others' actions.
Here are my personal sentiments:
*Other than with the mothers of his two children and the one with a prostitute who gave him syphilis, the length of C.C.'s other sexual affairs are irrelevant or unnecessary.
*Why were C.C.'s parents, who were major players in his life especially his dad, were not named, but micro characters such as his mother's mah-jjong playmate and the family chauffeur who made little to no appearances were?
*It is unrealistic for a caring parent such as C.C., with all his intelligence, to not know basic details about his own children. Angela and Delfin's age gap, as written in his own memoir, is "ten, twelve years", which in a sense, is unhelpful.
*Nonetheless, F. Sionil Jose's mastery of language and history are evident.
I have seen summaries online that are MISLEADING. Hence, here is a correct summary to help students:
Don Carlos "C.C./Charlie/Carling" Cobello writes a mea culpa on his deathbed.
Born to landed gentry of corrupt hypocrites, C.C. grew up with bigoted beliefs. He began an incestuous affair with his elder sister Corito and became infatuated with a native housemaid who became his greatest love, Severina, but whom his haughty father later sent away. During World War Two, C.C.'s father, who also got a position in the Puppet Government, set up a brothel where he met Adela, who gave him syphilis, who, in turn, got it from her frequent client, a Japanese colonel. Meanwhile, his incestuous affair with Corito gave birth to a sickly daughter, Angela, who was addressed as the daughter of Corito's husband, Camilo. Later, Camilo's homosexuality was revealed when he was caught in a sexual act with their male chauffeur, leading to an annulment.
C.C. and others affected by the syphilis went to Hong Kong to get it treated. He also built a shipping empire and other businesses along the way. C.C. was soon stationed in several countries (eg: Peru) as an ambassador, thanks to his loyalty to whoever was in power. He also met several women in his trips - the Korean Choonja, the Japanese Yoshiko and Reiko, the HongKonger Anne - all of whom reminded him of Severina. As a Letran alumnus but Ateneo law school dropout, C.C. got himself a chief counsel, Jacobo "Jake" Salcedo (the main character in "Puppy Love").
Now back at Manila, a provincial lad in his late teens, Delfin, introduced himself as his son with Severina, merely to fulfill his mother's dying request for Delfin to see his father. Although Delfin was detached from C.C., the latter tried his best to form a fatherly rapport with his unico hijo and heir apparent. Angela, who was about twelve years younger than Delfin and had befriended him, became their bridge. Delfin was then a bright university scholar and an aspiring pro-bono lawyer. Soon, Delfin worked as a researcher for the law firm of his idol, Atty. "Nojok," whom Carlos saw as a threat to his business interests and his political allies such as "The Leader" (obviously Marcos Sr.). Throughout the novel, C.C. and Corito maintained a sexual relationship, while also sleeping with others, including C.C. with his nieces (daughters of first cousins), and Corito with nephew Delfin once, when his high school sweetheart (LDR) stopped sending him letters and soon revealed to have married another man. Delfin reminded Corito of C.C.'s youthful prime.
Nojok's law firm later filed a lawsuit against the Cobellos' Hacienda Esperanza, with Delfin representing the unjustly treated farm peasants (including his maternal relatives). This caused a spat between the father and son, leading to Delfin running away from him.
Meanwhile, Angela's admiration and childhood crush for Delfin turned to romantic feelings as she grew into a teenager, but Delfin, who only saw Angela as a baby cousin, rejected her feelings at first. Upon learning this; Corito and Carlos sent Angela abroad to study and be away from Delfin.
C.C. availed himself of the sexual services of a Spanish beauty queen named Luisita, who carelessly placed the soap on the floor. As a result, C.C. slipped on the soap and became paralyzed, eventually falling ill.
Angela was suddenly nowhere to be found until her parents learned that she had been in cohabitation with Delfin. Angela was pregnant. They planned to marry so their child can be considered legitimate, but Corito disclosed that they were half-siblings and cannot tie the knot anyway, upon catching Corito and Delfin in a sexual embrace. Angela tearfully confided in C.C. about this but said she had forgiven her biological father, yet till the end, C.C. was unrepentant of his sins.
April 17, 2016
Compared to his other books this was not his best so I will give this book a 2.5 stars although it is also good. The book talks about the inbred elite and the fact that corruption destroys lives, though perhaps not externally but internally it destroys lives.
CC grew up in a "haciendero" family which regards people who are of Malay descent as children without any discipline so they will never be successful. They believe that the fact that they inherited wealth was genetic because they are the "white men" were the only ones who can "civilize" the natives. His mother was the social equivalent of a connector. When she gives a party you had to come. If you do not without an excuse, you risk becoming a social pariah. His first sexual experience was with his virgin yaya. He became popular describing his sexual conquest and the fact that he discovered that women like sex as much as men. Because he saw his parents treat the help like shit, he decided to sexually harass the help he found attractive from his nanny to the teenage maid. The teenage maid was raped by her master when she was just past menarche. CC was in love with her but could not be with her because at a young age he was told that he should just be friends with people with Similar social standing and marry someone with similar socio-economic status.
CC learned at an early age to pander to the whims of the ruling elite in order to get what he wants. He calls it seeing opportunity and seized it. The father owns a brothel and during WWII, he told his 15 yrs old son to keep watch on it since he was bored at home with his babysitter mistress. The brothel provided him with sensual pleasures during the time of war from food to sex to literature. All the women in the brothel came from wealthy families who lost everything and now have turned their teenage daughters into prostitutes in order for the families to live better than the common Filipinos. Although he tasted all the prostitutes, he liked the Morena one the best. Elites have been elites because they pander to whomever is in power (a born opportunist). I wonder if it is true that women like men like to brag about their bedroom conquests. He believes that the only conviction that people should be the conviction of self-preservation. Other convictions cripple the true power of being selfish. So when he grew up he took seizing opportunities to heart in that while giving back to minority groups in terms of rights, he got to exploit their women and their natural resources. CC says that it was the fathers prerogative to let his son experience the pleasures of the flesh with prostitutes.
The Japanese shun people who express what they are thinking. They were also kinky in what sexual shenanigans that they have. Even though CC is a known as a nationalist entrepreneur, he is more interested in being known as a lover of life and his love of life drove his excesses of lust for food, women, and literature. He questions the reason why God made imperfect beings with a sharp mind that is now subjected to the decay of the body. That is though he is in control of all his mental faculties, he is imprisoned by his body not being under his control. He tries to scare people to drive the land prices down so he can buy and develop the place in Tagaytay.
When he went to Korea and met a Korean woman who he was gentle to because she reminds him of the dark maid that was his first love. Throughout his life, he falls in love with the girls eyes that reminds him of his first love. He tried to sleep with the Korean girl but to no avail because he was impotent that night. When she got married, he tried to sleep with her again but she refused him because she wanted to be loyal to her husband though they did kiss and he did take a picture of her nude.
According to CC, the Philippines military is made up of the Indios so he made sure he befriended them so they will him out when they needed to be pampered. Since he is used to being on top, he raped a Japanese girl who gave herself to him as he seduced her while they were in the act by slowing the act down. Every guys fantasy is too take a girl who later enjoys being deflowered because of his touch. His inheritance made him blind to the fact that he was just a man like any other men. The Chinese encourage their young to marry other Chinese with the same station as them to increase the family prestige. I love how Sionil juxtaposes CC disdain for Indios and their laziness with the fact that he sleeps around with his sister and female cousins. I also like how his machinations behind the power influences how power is wielded.
CC had a son with his maid named Delfin who wanted to prove to the world that he could make it on his own as a lawyer without the help of his rich father who was never there for him in the first place. Unlike CC who used family connections to get ahead, Delfin liked his independence and used his personal skill to get ahead. CC wanted Delfin to know that he is his family and wanted to help him in his business. After all CC believes that all business starts with social interaction. Delfin wanted to be a lawyer for the poor but CC was wants him to inherit his kingdom and thinks that the lawyering for the poor is just a passing fad. It must be hard for CC to be surrounded by sycophants for relatives so that he always distance himself for fear of being asked for stuff. I wonder if that is how Mar works to have the dirty work done for him by his underlings. I agree that business is the main agent of progress and government should help business so a nationalist agenda is contrary to this. But corruption is bad because it gives cronies to be ontop and thus skews the market into people on top. CC was betting that Delfin being the do-gooder would not bite the hand that feeds it. So CC is betting that Delfin would see wealth as a friend instead of an enemy. CC lost his son by showing him that the justice system could be bought by the rich made Delfin mad with anger that he never wanted to see his father again.
In the end, CC was paralyzed by the fact that he hit his head when he was trying the Spanish beauty queen product and became paralyzed. And his daughter and his son fell in love and got married. I wonder of Sionil is making a point about how the rich mestizo's are all inbred lot. They concentrate their power by fucking their relatives. So by fucking over the country and procreating with his sister, CC doomed his children to marry each other too. I think the fact that he could no longer feel due to trauma is the perfect ending to someone who was consumed by bodily lust. I thought the ending was great in that the man of unbridled lust fell because of it. In the end, it was lust that destroyed his health by making him a vegetable and it was lust that destroyed his family by allowing his son to be coupled with his daughter then his sister thereby destroying both Angela and Delfin's happiness.
CC grew up in a "haciendero" family which regards people who are of Malay descent as children without any discipline so they will never be successful. They believe that the fact that they inherited wealth was genetic because they are the "white men" were the only ones who can "civilize" the natives. His mother was the social equivalent of a connector. When she gives a party you had to come. If you do not without an excuse, you risk becoming a social pariah. His first sexual experience was with his virgin yaya. He became popular describing his sexual conquest and the fact that he discovered that women like sex as much as men. Because he saw his parents treat the help like shit, he decided to sexually harass the help he found attractive from his nanny to the teenage maid. The teenage maid was raped by her master when she was just past menarche. CC was in love with her but could not be with her because at a young age he was told that he should just be friends with people with Similar social standing and marry someone with similar socio-economic status.
CC learned at an early age to pander to the whims of the ruling elite in order to get what he wants. He calls it seeing opportunity and seized it. The father owns a brothel and during WWII, he told his 15 yrs old son to keep watch on it since he was bored at home with his babysitter mistress. The brothel provided him with sensual pleasures during the time of war from food to sex to literature. All the women in the brothel came from wealthy families who lost everything and now have turned their teenage daughters into prostitutes in order for the families to live better than the common Filipinos. Although he tasted all the prostitutes, he liked the Morena one the best. Elites have been elites because they pander to whomever is in power (a born opportunist). I wonder if it is true that women like men like to brag about their bedroom conquests. He believes that the only conviction that people should be the conviction of self-preservation. Other convictions cripple the true power of being selfish. So when he grew up he took seizing opportunities to heart in that while giving back to minority groups in terms of rights, he got to exploit their women and their natural resources. CC says that it was the fathers prerogative to let his son experience the pleasures of the flesh with prostitutes.
The Japanese shun people who express what they are thinking. They were also kinky in what sexual shenanigans that they have. Even though CC is a known as a nationalist entrepreneur, he is more interested in being known as a lover of life and his love of life drove his excesses of lust for food, women, and literature. He questions the reason why God made imperfect beings with a sharp mind that is now subjected to the decay of the body. That is though he is in control of all his mental faculties, he is imprisoned by his body not being under his control. He tries to scare people to drive the land prices down so he can buy and develop the place in Tagaytay.
When he went to Korea and met a Korean woman who he was gentle to because she reminds him of the dark maid that was his first love. Throughout his life, he falls in love with the girls eyes that reminds him of his first love. He tried to sleep with the Korean girl but to no avail because he was impotent that night. When she got married, he tried to sleep with her again but she refused him because she wanted to be loyal to her husband though they did kiss and he did take a picture of her nude.
According to CC, the Philippines military is made up of the Indios so he made sure he befriended them so they will him out when they needed to be pampered. Since he is used to being on top, he raped a Japanese girl who gave herself to him as he seduced her while they were in the act by slowing the act down. Every guys fantasy is too take a girl who later enjoys being deflowered because of his touch. His inheritance made him blind to the fact that he was just a man like any other men. The Chinese encourage their young to marry other Chinese with the same station as them to increase the family prestige. I love how Sionil juxtaposes CC disdain for Indios and their laziness with the fact that he sleeps around with his sister and female cousins. I also like how his machinations behind the power influences how power is wielded.
CC had a son with his maid named Delfin who wanted to prove to the world that he could make it on his own as a lawyer without the help of his rich father who was never there for him in the first place. Unlike CC who used family connections to get ahead, Delfin liked his independence and used his personal skill to get ahead. CC wanted Delfin to know that he is his family and wanted to help him in his business. After all CC believes that all business starts with social interaction. Delfin wanted to be a lawyer for the poor but CC was wants him to inherit his kingdom and thinks that the lawyering for the poor is just a passing fad. It must be hard for CC to be surrounded by sycophants for relatives so that he always distance himself for fear of being asked for stuff. I wonder if that is how Mar works to have the dirty work done for him by his underlings. I agree that business is the main agent of progress and government should help business so a nationalist agenda is contrary to this. But corruption is bad because it gives cronies to be ontop and thus skews the market into people on top. CC was betting that Delfin being the do-gooder would not bite the hand that feeds it. So CC is betting that Delfin would see wealth as a friend instead of an enemy. CC lost his son by showing him that the justice system could be bought by the rich made Delfin mad with anger that he never wanted to see his father again.
In the end, CC was paralyzed by the fact that he hit his head when he was trying the Spanish beauty queen product and became paralyzed. And his daughter and his son fell in love and got married. I wonder of Sionil is making a point about how the rich mestizo's are all inbred lot. They concentrate their power by fucking their relatives. So by fucking over the country and procreating with his sister, CC doomed his children to marry each other too. I think the fact that he could no longer feel due to trauma is the perfect ending to someone who was consumed by bodily lust. I thought the ending was great in that the man of unbridled lust fell because of it. In the end, it was lust that destroyed his health by making him a vegetable and it was lust that destroyed his family by allowing his son to be coupled with his daughter then his sister thereby destroying both Angela and Delfin's happiness.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2023
When I read Sionil's latest work, "The Feet of Juan Bacnang" (2011/12), I immediately thought that it was perhaps Sionil's attempt to improve his novel, "Sins" (1973/1996), before he bade the world goodbye. This story has a nice theme, but awful ending. The ending is everything I dislike in stories - the fact that the most kindhearted/angelic characters such as Angela becomes the sacrificial lamb to the antihero's self-realization. Also, the way the characters of Delfin and Corito are presented is offbeat. I guess, the liaisons between selected foreign women and Don Carlos are to serve as a microcosm to the liaisons between selected foreign nations and the Philippines, spearheaded by the corrupt (Spanish or Chinese) mestizo elite.
February 3, 2018
Don Carlos is a pitiable, almost sympathetic, protagonist around whom F. Sionil Jose weaves the life of a powerful Spanish mestizo for most of the 20th century. A departure from most of his work I've read, FSJ gives a face to the antagonistic landlords and systems that oppress his characters, especially in the Rosales Saga. The prose is much tighter than his 21st century work and evocative of his '70s novels. Although the middle of the novel seems to meander, and the ending is not as satisfying, FSJ successfully elicits pity for a man we are supposed to hate (if we are learnèd Filipinos).
February 10, 2025
It was good power abuse, corrupted moral, and the inces relationship. Everything was good. The story made me really uncomfortable 10/10.
I still cant ge over with the ending like, what the hell. The protagonist who has a incest relationship with his sister. His sister then had a sexual embrace with the protagonist's son who is married to the protagonist's daughter.😵😵💫😭
I still cant ge over with the ending like, what the hell. The protagonist who has a incest relationship with his sister. His sister then had a sexual embrace with the protagonist's son who is married to the protagonist's daughter.😵😵💫😭
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2017
3.5 but not rounding up to 4.
August 26, 2018
its so nice it help me do my home reading work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2019
aka SINS
October 19, 2025
2.5 stars, rounded up.
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I typically enjoy books about unlikeable people doing unlikeable things, but the vibes were off on this one.
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I typically enjoy books about unlikeable people doing unlikeable things, but the vibes were off on this one.
October 4, 2026
easy read, a thinker one; characters are awful, by themselves and not the way they are wrote (or perhaps, the way there are written, basta masamang tao)
October 22, 2025
B tier
March 30, 2023
SPOILERS: (and some analysis)
Regarding a review here, is it possible that there are different editions of the book? In mine, Delfin and Angela's plan to marry was halted when Angela caught her cousin-boyfriend in bed with her mother, Corito. Corito then revealed that they can never marry because they were also half-siblings. Despite growing close too, Delfin never developed romantic feelings for Angela for he had known her since she was a young kid, while he was already an adult. I think he rather pitied the pretty teenager who was head over heels for him. Hence, upon learning that they couldn't marry, Delfin immediately gave up their relationship. I couldn't really reconcile Delfin and Corita's very last behavior that much, as both of them had been portrayed as genuinely adoring Angela throughout the rest of the novel.
To be fair, the novel's characters are complex. Delfin is generally kind, Angela too; Corito and Carlos are fascinating villains. Crossover characters include Jake Salcedo of "Puppy Love and Thirteen Short Stories", Alfred Dangmouth of "The Pretenders" et cetera, the Dantes clan of "My Brother, My Executioner" and the Rojo clan of "Ermita". The latter three are unseen characters. Carlos, on the other hand, returns in Jake Salcedo's story.
ANALYSIS:
FSJ said in an interview that nationalism and wealth (unless inherited) are incompatible. This could be why Delfin, despite a high position in a famed law firm, chose to live like an plebian than live with his aristocratic father who adored him nonetheless. I don't really agree with Delfin in this. With Carlos Cobello; I cannot help but recall the names of Manda Elizalde and Enrique Zobel (and in the Spanish beauty queen scene, Arsenio Lacson, though CC is physically good-looking at the very least). Not saying they are like him 100% but who knows, HAHA. No pun intented. There also happened to be a certain Hacienda Esperanza partly in Nueva Ecija like in this novel. Coincidence?
Highway 54 is already EDSA in the sixties in reference to one car scene. There are more inconsistencies other than that, like Reiko's insignificant role and Severina's description. Carlos described Severina as having "darkened skin" and "big, beautiful eyes," but on the contrary, he gets reminded of her by fair-complexioned and slant-eyed East Asian women. I also find it funny how old coot Carlos wrote about his list of favorite food, filling up 2-4 pages.
Regarding a review here, is it possible that there are different editions of the book? In mine, Delfin and Angela's plan to marry was halted when Angela caught her cousin-boyfriend in bed with her mother, Corito. Corito then revealed that they can never marry because they were also half-siblings. Despite growing close too, Delfin never developed romantic feelings for Angela for he had known her since she was a young kid, while he was already an adult. I think he rather pitied the pretty teenager who was head over heels for him. Hence, upon learning that they couldn't marry, Delfin immediately gave up their relationship. I couldn't really reconcile Delfin and Corita's very last behavior that much, as both of them had been portrayed as genuinely adoring Angela throughout the rest of the novel.
To be fair, the novel's characters are complex. Delfin is generally kind, Angela too; Corito and Carlos are fascinating villains. Crossover characters include Jake Salcedo of "Puppy Love and Thirteen Short Stories", Alfred Dangmouth of "The Pretenders" et cetera, the Dantes clan of "My Brother, My Executioner" and the Rojo clan of "Ermita". The latter three are unseen characters. Carlos, on the other hand, returns in Jake Salcedo's story.
ANALYSIS:
FSJ said in an interview that nationalism and wealth (unless inherited) are incompatible. This could be why Delfin, despite a high position in a famed law firm, chose to live like an plebian than live with his aristocratic father who adored him nonetheless. I don't really agree with Delfin in this. With Carlos Cobello; I cannot help but recall the names of Manda Elizalde and Enrique Zobel (and in the Spanish beauty queen scene, Arsenio Lacson, though CC is physically good-looking at the very least). Not saying they are like him 100% but who knows, HAHA. No pun intented. There also happened to be a certain Hacienda Esperanza partly in Nueva Ecija like in this novel. Coincidence?
Highway 54 is already EDSA in the sixties in reference to one car scene. There are more inconsistencies other than that, like Reiko's insignificant role and Severina's description. Carlos described Severina as having "darkened skin" and "big, beautiful eyes," but on the contrary, he gets reminded of her by fair-complexioned and slant-eyed East Asian women. I also find it funny how old coot Carlos wrote about his list of favorite food, filling up 2-4 pages.
April 4, 2023
After re-reading this novella, I have managed to articulate my sentiments. The issue here lies in the fact that the reader is unable to truly acquaint themselves with the other main characters since the narrative is merely about the braggart Carlos talking about himself, which I understand, is the author's way of showing how egoistic the antihero is. However, it can be a bit frustrating/unsatisfying because the main characters are meant to be the soul of the story, and therefore, readers should have been presented with a clearer portrayal of them. Carlos is also an unreliable narrator.
Take, for instance, Carlos does not even know his son Delfin well enough.
The phrase "I think" blurs it. Carlos could not even believe it when Corita bragged to him that she "gave Delfin a terrific hard-on," which I believe is true, proven by the f-up ending.
Secondly, it would have been more realistic if Carlos had expounded on his genealogy-obsessed narrative, focusing on the side of his likewise cunning paternal grandmother and namesake, Doña Esperanza Cobello, the namesake to their 20,000-hectare hacienda. She was the original family member from an old-money background, unlike her husband, who primarily became rich through corruption. Instead, we only received minor mentions about her. Perhaps, it is Carlos' chauvinistic bias that made him ignore the matriarchal gem in his clan.
Either way, like a Latin American erotic lit, the characters are all so good-looking and Spanish-speaking (in a way). This story, "Sin", is about a charismatic but racist-chauvinist-classist Don named Carlos who has the mannerism of squeaking "Qué Barbaridad!" whenever he's upset. With him is his sister Corito, who has an insatiable appetite for sex. Next are his biological children, (both illegitimate and sired under questionable circumstances) Delfin and Angela, completing the main cast of the most screwed up family affair in the entire FSJ universe.
2.5 stars, but I'll round it up to 3 here because I'm feeling generous. Overall, the novel is good but FSJ's other novels are better. I think this one's ending is mediocre. Here is something of a fictional memoir based on factual history written amidst the tumult of Martial Law in the Philippines.
Take, for instance, Carlos does not even know his son Delfin well enough.
"He (Delfin) smiled rather sheepishly, I think."
"Delfin smiled at me warmly enough, I think."
The phrase "I think" blurs it. Carlos could not even believe it when Corita bragged to him that she "gave Delfin a terrific hard-on," which I believe is true, proven by the f-up ending.
Secondly, it would have been more realistic if Carlos had expounded on his genealogy-obsessed narrative, focusing on the side of his likewise cunning paternal grandmother and namesake, Doña Esperanza Cobello, the namesake to their 20,000-hectare hacienda. She was the original family member from an old-money background, unlike her husband, who primarily became rich through corruption. Instead, we only received minor mentions about her. Perhaps, it is Carlos' chauvinistic bias that made him ignore the matriarchal gem in his clan.
Either way, like a Latin American erotic lit, the characters are all so good-looking and Spanish-speaking (in a way). This story, "Sin", is about a charismatic but racist-chauvinist-classist Don named Carlos who has the mannerism of squeaking "Qué Barbaridad!" whenever he's upset. With him is his sister Corito, who has an insatiable appetite for sex. Next are his biological children, (both illegitimate and sired under questionable circumstances) Delfin and Angela, completing the main cast of the most screwed up family affair in the entire FSJ universe.
2.5 stars, but I'll round it up to 3 here because I'm feeling generous. Overall, the novel is good but FSJ's other novels are better. I think this one's ending is mediocre. Here is something of a fictional memoir based on factual history written amidst the tumult of Martial Law in the Philippines.
August 20, 2012
I read this for Lit class. Three chapters deep, I began to question the writer's reputation as one of, if not THE BEST Filipino writer/s. I then asked my literature classmates who were familiar with his works and they said that F. Sionil Jose is F. Sionil Jose because his writing style is straightforward; no BS, no unnecessary details. They also mentioned that in all of his novels -- or at least the ones they've read -- parts of our history are evident, you'd never doubt that he's a Filipino writer.
I agree with everything they said. The author knows exactly where his story is going and knows how to properly introduce new scenes. His words are precise, descriptive but never entirely verbose. But this is probably why I didn't like the book.
This sentence bugged me probably a bit too much as it triggered my criticism. As a reader, I like being sucked into the world of the character. I like being able to feel what the character feels even when the events become unpleasant, and live through the events not as myself, but as the principal figure in the book. This book did not accomplish that. It simply told me the tale of a wealthy man, how he was brought up, and how he used his wealth and background to make himself even more successful.
It did include a few patches of Asian (mostly Filipino) history and culture, I'll give the author that merit. F. Sionil Jose is not just a writer but also a historian, and I understand why he's a national artist.
Its not that bad a story. His writing style just doesn't fit my taste. I'll read Tree next, then I'll decide if I like the author or not.
I agree with everything they said. The author knows exactly where his story is going and knows how to properly introduce new scenes. His words are precise, descriptive but never entirely verbose. But this is probably why I didn't like the book.
"Patches of snow lay on the ground
and I made a couple of snowballs and threw them at her;
she did the same. We were enjoying ourselves
and laughing."
This sentence bugged me probably a bit too much as it triggered my criticism. As a reader, I like being sucked into the world of the character. I like being able to feel what the character feels even when the events become unpleasant, and live through the events not as myself, but as the principal figure in the book. This book did not accomplish that. It simply told me the tale of a wealthy man, how he was brought up, and how he used his wealth and background to make himself even more successful.
It did include a few patches of Asian (mostly Filipino) history and culture, I'll give the author that merit. F. Sionil Jose is not just a writer but also a historian, and I understand why he's a national artist.
Its not that bad a story. His writing style just doesn't fit my taste. I'll read Tree next, then I'll decide if I like the author or not.
May 24, 2010
f. sionil jose's play with prose makes the protagonist's actions bearable and easy to digest for the conscience. it's thought-provoking literature hidden in fluid narrative.
looking forward for my next f. sionil encounter.
looking forward for my next f. sionil encounter.
Read
June 24, 2013 ????
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