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Without Seeing the Dawn
"This fictionized account of the life in the Philippines under the Japanese is a bitter, brutal first novel that will take its place in Philippine literature alongside Jose Rizal's flaming Noli Me Tangere. No Filipino since Rizal has handled fiction with sureness and deftness shown n this book." -Chicago Sun
359 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1947
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1598 people want to read
About the author
Stevan Javellana
1 book19 followersJavellana was born in 1918 in Iloilo. He fought as a guerrilla during the Japanese invasion of the Philippines. After World War II, he graduated from the University of the Philippines College of Law in 1948. He stayed in the United States afterwards but he died in the Visayas in 1977 at the age of 59.
Javellana was the author of a best-selling war novel in the United States (U.S.) and Manila, Without Seeing the Dawn, published by Little, Brown and Company in Boston in 1947. His short stories were published in the Manila Times Magazine in the 1950s, among which are Two Tickets to Manila, The Sin of Father Anselmo, Sleeping Tablets, The Fifth Man, The Tree of Peace and Transition. Without Seeing the Dawn, also known as The Lost Ones, is his only novel.
Javellana was the author of a best-selling war novel in the United States (U.S.) and Manila, Without Seeing the Dawn, published by Little, Brown and Company in Boston in 1947. His short stories were published in the Manila Times Magazine in the 1950s, among which are Two Tickets to Manila, The Sin of Father Anselmo, Sleeping Tablets, The Fifth Man, The Tree of Peace and Transition. Without Seeing the Dawn, also known as The Lost Ones, is his only novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
August 4, 2014
Look. Listen. I have read heaps of books in Philippine Literature, and by far, this is indubitably the best 'perfect book' I've ever read. After reading this delicate masterpiece, I regained a soft hum of pride for Philippine Literature, an electrifying surge of valiance, a respite from all the mediocre books I've numbly read and a gob of sympathy for the history of my country.
It was brilliant--everything was slotted perfectly. Sure, it was a cliche novel of World War II in the Philippines but there's just a heck a lot more to that, there's this engulfing feature that unites each page stubbornly, a magnetic pull that stops me from doing anything else so radiant and strong, it sucks my goddamn face into the book's brilliance . Not so much fancy words, simple settings, one-dimensional characters--it's fit for a Filipino's liking.
It was brilliant--everything was slotted perfectly. Sure, it was a cliche novel of World War II in the Philippines but there's just a heck a lot more to that, there's this engulfing feature that unites each page stubbornly, a magnetic pull that stops me from doing anything else so radiant and strong, it sucks my goddamn face into the book's brilliance . Not so much fancy words, simple settings, one-dimensional characters--it's fit for a Filipino's liking.
Currently reading
July 31, 2009this book is set on the world war 2 years in my hometown so i must read it.. the author is kinda overly detailing his descriptions..such a long novel and hard to read..but is historically significant.
Read
August 12, 2011I missed this book! it's been 16 years since I last read it. And it is good to have a flashback of our history. heart-felt book. =)
December 21, 2014
A BOOK REPORT ON “WITHOUT SEEING THE DAWN”
by Stevan Javellana
Without Seeing the Dawn is a story of a young man and his village. It is the story of the simple life of the people close to the soil in a certain “barrio” in the Panay Island where one can see the sweats of the farmers and their sons, diligently tilling the land with their carabaos, a place where one can hear the laughters of the children, the songs of serenades by the young men, and a place where one can feel the love and contentment of the wives to their families. Unknowingly, the place which is known to be peaceful and quiet turns out to be devastated with the coming of the Japanese. This is the story of the death of the village from the war and the enduring thirst for revenge of the survivors.
The novel has two parts namely Day and Night. The first part, Day, sets the story in a small farming village called Manhayang in Santa Barbara, Iloilo. It is here where Ricardo “Carding” Suerte grows up and marries Lucing. This is the “barrio” which he spends most of his happy memories with his childhood friends. At the age of 18, he is described to be tall and big like those of the town smith. Like his father, he’s a very industrious farmer that he already rides with his carabao before the sun sets in the morning. Carding meets his friends by the river while they let their carabaos lay contentedly in the water. They soon swim in the river and will try to peek those ladies washing the clothes and taking a bath. It is very much like of a province where you can imagine the clean river, the green trees and the cool wind.
That was Philippines before in the 1930’s and when I asked my grandparents about the provinces they came from; their stories were so much like in the book. There is a part in the story where Lucing and Carding have to work in Ilo-Ilo City because they lost the land that Carding supposed to farm. Like what you can see in Cebu City now, Carding has described the city to have tall buildings and very beautiful plazas. However, this is not the scenario if one lives in the squatter’s area. Lucing even said, “How different it was from the good, clean mud in the carabao trails in which the broad hoofs of the the carabaos sloshed with a hollow, crackling sound on rainy days. But this canal was full of ooze which contained the waste from exposed toilets and the drainage from the kitchens.” Well, the city before and now are quite similar, but cities nowadays have become more polluted and commercialized.
After how many months, the couple come back to Manhayang. This starts the second part of the book, the Night. Manhayang which is a place full of love and peace turns out to be in a great loss during the Japanese occupation. The “barrio” is in the state of darkness after the Japanese soldiers burned the whole village, killed the babies with their bayonets, raped many women and imprisoned the men to torture. It is a story of the Filipino’s dark experiences from the brutal hands of the Japanese.
Carding who is called to be the “son of misfortune” lose his first child and the land he is working. He becomes a soldier and fights the war in Bataan. He comes home only to know that his second baby and his father were killed by the Japanese soldiers. The more he was enraged after he knew that his wife is pregnant from one of those Japanese soldiers who raped her many times. Because of that, Carding enters the guerilla and kills as many Japanese soldiers as a revenge to his loved ones.
The book may end in a very tragic story but it makes you proud of being Filipino. The story tells you how Filipinos value the essence of marriage and family. Tatay Juan, father of Carding, has done the traditional way of asking the hand of the lady known as “pamamanhikan” before Lucing and Carding get married. He visits the house of Lucing’s parents and asked their permission to allow his son to marry their daughter, Lucing. The parents agree about the marriage in a condition that Carding should built a house and prepare an amount of money for the celebration.
The story also shows Filipinos being respectful to the elders. The sons and daughters usually kiss the hand of their parents, relatives or someone older than them as a sign of respect. Though for me, instead of kissing the hands of my parents, I usually bless their hands. However, other children kiss their parent’s cheeks.
Apart from that, when the neighborhood needs help, Filipinos willingly help them which we call now as “Bayanihan”. It’s the time when Lucing and Carding need to transfer their house in another place. Most of their neighborhood offer their strength and time to carry the nipa house to their new place. The people enjoy helping one another and will also be very happy every time there’s a celebration like fiesta or wedding. Filipino men in the province will prepare their gallons of “tuba” and drink many shots until they consume those. Then, they will go back to their house drunk. That’s Filipino being a social drinker.
Also, when we have a guest, we always give and show to them what is best. When the couple receive Luis, the son of the landlord. They really cook the most delicious food called “binakol” and prepare the room on its best for it is there he will rest. Carding also harvest fruits and vegetable from the farm so that Luis can bring them to the city. As we can see, Filipnos are known to be hospitable, a practice that is also much known in the Spanish era.
Looking back, most of the teens in the province prefer to marry at a young age instead of studying. At the age of 18, Carding has decided that she will marry Lucing who is still 16 that time. Growing up without having a mother, he then tells his father about it. When ask by his father why he wants to marry, he answered, “I am going to marry because I am old enough.” Though his father wanted to send him to school, Carding declined and said, “Look at Joaquin, who lives in Barasan. He also went through high school but now he works behind the plow like many other who does not recognize the letter A, be it as wide as frying pan.” His father did not push him anymore and agreed to his decision.
If that happens now, many people will be very surprised of the news and you would become the talk of the town in your place. However, it was different before because it didn’t matter if you marry at a young age. As long as you can prove that you’re worthy to be a parent, then your parents and the parents of your beloved will allow you to marry and have a family. Youths before are more mature than now. At a young age, Carding is already exposed to hardwork in the farm and Lucing is also well-trained to do the household chores. When I asked my grandmother about her marriage, she said that she was married to my grandfather at the age of 18 and they had 12 children and unfortunately five died. One of those 12 children is my mother now. In this case, we should not wonder why the old generation marry at a young age.
However, most of the people before would consider a wife being a stigma to the family if she had committed an affair with another man. There is a time when Luis has to stay in the couple’s house for vacation. On their first meeting, Lucing has admired the guy for he is mestizo and kind. One morning, Luis enters Lucing’s room knowing that Carding sets off to the farm early. They make love thinking that Carding will be in the farm for a long time. However, Carding comes back early and has seen the situation. He slaps Lucing with his left hand and has beaten Luis badly.
Gossip travels fast in a little village that Lucing has gotten no courage to go out and face the neighborhood. When Nanay Pia, Lucing’s mother, knows about this, she cried “Oh, my daughter, it was the milk of a good, faithful wife that you sucked at infancy, not the milk of the whore.” And later on when her husband has known the news, Teniente Paul rushes to Lucing’s house and said, “Are you not satisfied with one husband? Had I known I would not have married you to Carding. I would have sent you to a house of prostitution.”
There are circumstances like what happen to Lucing nowadays. However, there are more husbands who find another woman than the wives. It’s a rare thing to happen because women in the society are expected to be good, caring and loving. Conservative people will not really like it but in our time now, we are slowly adopting the idea of “mistress” that most of the TV dramas talk about it.
Moreover, the novel also tells us the story of our Filipino people during the Japanese time. All men before are encouraged to join the constabulary and any people who are against it are called rebels. Isko, one of Carding’s friend, has told the people of Manhayang about the notice written on a blackboard when he goes to the market. He said to his neighborhood, “The notice said that all men of the age of eighteen and over shall report within two days to the constabulary in town.” The Japanese soldiers require all Filipino men to join them in order to hunt down the guerillas who are resisting their occupation.
The story is very much like watching drama that ends in tragedy. However, it just tells the reader that this is what happened during the Japanese occupation. This is what happened to the Filipinos during their occupation. This is how Philippines looked like during the war. And I just like the fact that the author has divided the book into two parts because I can really picture out what happened before and during the Japanese occupation. The novel has given us something to share to our friends during the Japanese period because it’s very rich in details that the author has described it very clearly as if you’re watching drama/action films.
The novel is an open ending story where the readers have to think for possible endings. It actually ends with a gunshot and I imagined Carding dead. In the story, it makes you proud how the Filipinos fight the Japanese despite their less chance of winning. They fought bravely that they were very willing to sacrifice their lives just to protect their own country. Even though they don’t know each other in the guerilla, they unite to fight what is theirs, never wanting to become a slave of their own place. They face the war to fight for the country and its people. Through that goal, their determination to fight has never been wavered and that helps them a lot to keep going. Thus, the novel has effectively shared a part of our history, the Filipino people and its culture.
by Stevan Javellana
Without Seeing the Dawn is a story of a young man and his village. It is the story of the simple life of the people close to the soil in a certain “barrio” in the Panay Island where one can see the sweats of the farmers and their sons, diligently tilling the land with their carabaos, a place where one can hear the laughters of the children, the songs of serenades by the young men, and a place where one can feel the love and contentment of the wives to their families. Unknowingly, the place which is known to be peaceful and quiet turns out to be devastated with the coming of the Japanese. This is the story of the death of the village from the war and the enduring thirst for revenge of the survivors.
The novel has two parts namely Day and Night. The first part, Day, sets the story in a small farming village called Manhayang in Santa Barbara, Iloilo. It is here where Ricardo “Carding” Suerte grows up and marries Lucing. This is the “barrio” which he spends most of his happy memories with his childhood friends. At the age of 18, he is described to be tall and big like those of the town smith. Like his father, he’s a very industrious farmer that he already rides with his carabao before the sun sets in the morning. Carding meets his friends by the river while they let their carabaos lay contentedly in the water. They soon swim in the river and will try to peek those ladies washing the clothes and taking a bath. It is very much like of a province where you can imagine the clean river, the green trees and the cool wind.
That was Philippines before in the 1930’s and when I asked my grandparents about the provinces they came from; their stories were so much like in the book. There is a part in the story where Lucing and Carding have to work in Ilo-Ilo City because they lost the land that Carding supposed to farm. Like what you can see in Cebu City now, Carding has described the city to have tall buildings and very beautiful plazas. However, this is not the scenario if one lives in the squatter’s area. Lucing even said, “How different it was from the good, clean mud in the carabao trails in which the broad hoofs of the the carabaos sloshed with a hollow, crackling sound on rainy days. But this canal was full of ooze which contained the waste from exposed toilets and the drainage from the kitchens.” Well, the city before and now are quite similar, but cities nowadays have become more polluted and commercialized.
After how many months, the couple come back to Manhayang. This starts the second part of the book, the Night. Manhayang which is a place full of love and peace turns out to be in a great loss during the Japanese occupation. The “barrio” is in the state of darkness after the Japanese soldiers burned the whole village, killed the babies with their bayonets, raped many women and imprisoned the men to torture. It is a story of the Filipino’s dark experiences from the brutal hands of the Japanese.
Carding who is called to be the “son of misfortune” lose his first child and the land he is working. He becomes a soldier and fights the war in Bataan. He comes home only to know that his second baby and his father were killed by the Japanese soldiers. The more he was enraged after he knew that his wife is pregnant from one of those Japanese soldiers who raped her many times. Because of that, Carding enters the guerilla and kills as many Japanese soldiers as a revenge to his loved ones.
The book may end in a very tragic story but it makes you proud of being Filipino. The story tells you how Filipinos value the essence of marriage and family. Tatay Juan, father of Carding, has done the traditional way of asking the hand of the lady known as “pamamanhikan” before Lucing and Carding get married. He visits the house of Lucing’s parents and asked their permission to allow his son to marry their daughter, Lucing. The parents agree about the marriage in a condition that Carding should built a house and prepare an amount of money for the celebration.
The story also shows Filipinos being respectful to the elders. The sons and daughters usually kiss the hand of their parents, relatives or someone older than them as a sign of respect. Though for me, instead of kissing the hands of my parents, I usually bless their hands. However, other children kiss their parent’s cheeks.
Apart from that, when the neighborhood needs help, Filipinos willingly help them which we call now as “Bayanihan”. It’s the time when Lucing and Carding need to transfer their house in another place. Most of their neighborhood offer their strength and time to carry the nipa house to their new place. The people enjoy helping one another and will also be very happy every time there’s a celebration like fiesta or wedding. Filipino men in the province will prepare their gallons of “tuba” and drink many shots until they consume those. Then, they will go back to their house drunk. That’s Filipino being a social drinker.
Also, when we have a guest, we always give and show to them what is best. When the couple receive Luis, the son of the landlord. They really cook the most delicious food called “binakol” and prepare the room on its best for it is there he will rest. Carding also harvest fruits and vegetable from the farm so that Luis can bring them to the city. As we can see, Filipnos are known to be hospitable, a practice that is also much known in the Spanish era.
Looking back, most of the teens in the province prefer to marry at a young age instead of studying. At the age of 18, Carding has decided that she will marry Lucing who is still 16 that time. Growing up without having a mother, he then tells his father about it. When ask by his father why he wants to marry, he answered, “I am going to marry because I am old enough.” Though his father wanted to send him to school, Carding declined and said, “Look at Joaquin, who lives in Barasan. He also went through high school but now he works behind the plow like many other who does not recognize the letter A, be it as wide as frying pan.” His father did not push him anymore and agreed to his decision.
If that happens now, many people will be very surprised of the news and you would become the talk of the town in your place. However, it was different before because it didn’t matter if you marry at a young age. As long as you can prove that you’re worthy to be a parent, then your parents and the parents of your beloved will allow you to marry and have a family. Youths before are more mature than now. At a young age, Carding is already exposed to hardwork in the farm and Lucing is also well-trained to do the household chores. When I asked my grandmother about her marriage, she said that she was married to my grandfather at the age of 18 and they had 12 children and unfortunately five died. One of those 12 children is my mother now. In this case, we should not wonder why the old generation marry at a young age.
However, most of the people before would consider a wife being a stigma to the family if she had committed an affair with another man. There is a time when Luis has to stay in the couple’s house for vacation. On their first meeting, Lucing has admired the guy for he is mestizo and kind. One morning, Luis enters Lucing’s room knowing that Carding sets off to the farm early. They make love thinking that Carding will be in the farm for a long time. However, Carding comes back early and has seen the situation. He slaps Lucing with his left hand and has beaten Luis badly.
Gossip travels fast in a little village that Lucing has gotten no courage to go out and face the neighborhood. When Nanay Pia, Lucing’s mother, knows about this, she cried “Oh, my daughter, it was the milk of a good, faithful wife that you sucked at infancy, not the milk of the whore.” And later on when her husband has known the news, Teniente Paul rushes to Lucing’s house and said, “Are you not satisfied with one husband? Had I known I would not have married you to Carding. I would have sent you to a house of prostitution.”
There are circumstances like what happen to Lucing nowadays. However, there are more husbands who find another woman than the wives. It’s a rare thing to happen because women in the society are expected to be good, caring and loving. Conservative people will not really like it but in our time now, we are slowly adopting the idea of “mistress” that most of the TV dramas talk about it.
Moreover, the novel also tells us the story of our Filipino people during the Japanese time. All men before are encouraged to join the constabulary and any people who are against it are called rebels. Isko, one of Carding’s friend, has told the people of Manhayang about the notice written on a blackboard when he goes to the market. He said to his neighborhood, “The notice said that all men of the age of eighteen and over shall report within two days to the constabulary in town.” The Japanese soldiers require all Filipino men to join them in order to hunt down the guerillas who are resisting their occupation.
The story is very much like watching drama that ends in tragedy. However, it just tells the reader that this is what happened during the Japanese occupation. This is what happened to the Filipinos during their occupation. This is how Philippines looked like during the war. And I just like the fact that the author has divided the book into two parts because I can really picture out what happened before and during the Japanese occupation. The novel has given us something to share to our friends during the Japanese period because it’s very rich in details that the author has described it very clearly as if you’re watching drama/action films.
The novel is an open ending story where the readers have to think for possible endings. It actually ends with a gunshot and I imagined Carding dead. In the story, it makes you proud how the Filipinos fight the Japanese despite their less chance of winning. They fought bravely that they were very willing to sacrifice their lives just to protect their own country. Even though they don’t know each other in the guerilla, they unite to fight what is theirs, never wanting to become a slave of their own place. They face the war to fight for the country and its people. Through that goal, their determination to fight has never been wavered and that helps them a lot to keep going. Thus, the novel has effectively shared a part of our history, the Filipino people and its culture.
February 28, 2013
a surprising read. i never expected it. it was assigned reading but it tugged my heart as i went along the pages. in the end, i couldn'nt put it down and read it in one sitting.
February 5, 2017
This beautiful novel of fine storyline, crafted in such a way that elicits mixed and profound feelings while one could almost always without a hitch relate to the utmost struggles of every Filipino during the tragic Japanese occupation of the Philippines, World War II.
I got stirred up to tears. Read on and you'll know what I mean!
I got stirred up to tears. Read on and you'll know what I mean!
July 17, 2013
This is one of the best books I have read when I was studying. It led me to appreciate and love the Filipiniana section of the library and gave me a sense of pride on our Philippine lit.Until now, I can feel the simplicity of life, the tragedy of war and the hope in love.
April 20, 2019
Crying, my memory whenever I recall this, writhing, pained, memorable. Especially if you realize what the title meant. Carding, will always be a sad sad name, but is it relateable, i guess its not, well i hope its not, because i lived my life free of this, but the new gen seems to like this, even if he is filipino and not japanese. And they feel empowered by giving away power or better word freedom to think.well lets just hope i am wrong and this is clearly just about the japanese occupation and not a precursor book of who filipinos really are.poor nephew and nieces if it were true. So there, yes, its one of thise memorable books that transports you back like a wormhole everytime you see it, come across with. Really is life altering, must be why im scared of dictators and suffocating power over me.
February 3, 2023
Stevan Javellana's first novel (considered as the first Filipino novel in English) is rooted in the soil, essentially connected to the land. Its wide array of characters are simple farmer folk living their simple life: plowing their fields, sowing their crops, praying for rain, reaping the fruits of their toil. They are people who entertain themselves by swimming in the river and in the puddles where their carabaos bathe, by gossiping about the latest wedding or scandal.
They are simple people, thrust into the complexities of life, of war.
Without Seeing the Dawn is brutal in its eloquence and the economy of its structure. It is at once surprisingly funny, and sad, and sadistic. Compulsively readable and a classic in its own right.
Actual rating: 4.5
They are simple people, thrust into the complexities of life, of war.
Without Seeing the Dawn is brutal in its eloquence and the economy of its structure. It is at once surprisingly funny, and sad, and sadistic. Compulsively readable and a classic in its own right.
Actual rating: 4.5
July 31, 2023
Premise: 4
Plot: 4
Style: 3
If you've seen La Vita e Bella, this will feel familiar but rural and without Benigni's humor. A young man who's starting to be "his own man" got caught in the turmoil of World War II, a time which ended decades of peaceful subservience and hushed western oppression while the locals are not yet too used to being Filipinos and Rizal was not even well-known in the barrios. It can get graphic but at the same time cathartic. Or maybe that's how it is in war: the struggle goes beyond the battlefields and enters personal lives.
Plot: 4
Style: 3
If you've seen La Vita e Bella, this will feel familiar but rural and without Benigni's humor. A young man who's starting to be "his own man" got caught in the turmoil of World War II, a time which ended decades of peaceful subservience and hushed western oppression while the locals are not yet too used to being Filipinos and Rizal was not even well-known in the barrios. It can get graphic but at the same time cathartic. Or maybe that's how it is in war: the struggle goes beyond the battlefields and enters personal lives.
July 31, 2023
As a Filipina American who has always been interested in WWII history, I am so glad to have been recommended this book. I haven't been this excited about a book in a long time- funny at times and horrifying and painful to read at others. I enjoyed getting to know the various characters, even with all their faults. I loved the author's style and can hardly believe that it was written in 1947
September 15, 2018
This was one of our required readings in college. Proud of myself for finishing this. :)
Want to read
August 31, 2020marked it as to-read
March 31, 2021
This book was a reading requirement in my Humanities class twenty years ago. One of the best written books by a Filipino author in my opinion
October 5, 2022
very dark, but AMAZING.
August 13, 2024
i loved reading this. sometimes its hard to connect to the characters considering their oftentimes antiquated perspectives & behaviors that didnt age well but it was such an enjoyable read regardless
February 25, 2025
fucking dogshit forced to read by high school too stubborn to say no littleo ld me got traumatized as a kid and I can't forgive this book fuck this book
Read
September 14, 2016please i want to read it
November 4, 2024
I love this. Good thing I got a hold of an old copy. The novel is a testament to the strength of the common people during the war. We only see about WWII in TV and movies, usually from the American soldiers' eyes. This novel on the other hand puts the civilian experience into words so it goes deeper.
The story draws readers into a vivid world of pre-war and war Philippines. The writing flows smooth and fast, carrying the story forward with a sense of urgency. The language is descriptive and immersive. Imagine an Amorsolo painting then turn it to chaos.
It paints the harsh realities of life under occupation, portraying the people's struggles, sacrifices, and moral dilemma with unflinching honesty. It exposes the fragility of humanity. In times of despair and extreme anger, people can do what's unexpected be it morally bad or good. But it also shows a glimmer of hope amid the dark times. It's very human.
Echoing the last line of Elias in Noli, this novel expresses hope that the dawn eventually comes no matter how long it takes. And it's not about whether we see it but about whether it comes after us for those who come after us. But that's just how I read it.
The story draws readers into a vivid world of pre-war and war Philippines. The writing flows smooth and fast, carrying the story forward with a sense of urgency. The language is descriptive and immersive. Imagine an Amorsolo painting then turn it to chaos.
It paints the harsh realities of life under occupation, portraying the people's struggles, sacrifices, and moral dilemma with unflinching honesty. It exposes the fragility of humanity. In times of despair and extreme anger, people can do what's unexpected be it morally bad or good. But it also shows a glimmer of hope amid the dark times. It's very human.
Echoing the last line of Elias in Noli, this novel expresses hope that the dawn eventually comes no matter how long it takes. And it's not about whether we see it but about whether it comes after us for those who come after us. But that's just how I read it.
December 17, 2025
This book was part of the Filipino literature we were required to read, and it focuses on life during World War II, specifically when the Philippines was under Japanese occupation. The novel vividly portrays how war disrupts everyday life, brings immense suffering, and forces people to make difficult and often painful choices simply to survive. What makes the story especially impactful is how it centers on ordinary people rather than heroic figures, allowing readers to see how fear, loss, and uncertainty shaped daily existence during that period. For those of us who did not live through that time, the novel offers valuable insight into the realities of war and its lasting effects on Filipino families and communities. Overall, it serves not only as a historical account but also as a reminder of human resilience in the face of hardship.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2025
This book was part of the Filipino literature we were required to read, and it focuses on life during World War II, specifically when the Philippines was under Japanese occupation. The novel vividly portrays how war disrupts everyday life, brings immense suffering, and forces people to make difficult and often painful choices simply to survive. What makes the story especially impactful is how it centers on ordinary people rather than heroic figures, allowing readers to see how fear, loss, and uncertainty shaped daily existence during that period. For those of us who did not live through that time, the novel offers valuable insight into the realities of war and its lasting effects on Filipino families and communities. Overall, it serves not only as a historical account but also as a reminder of human resilience in the face of hardship.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 13, 2016
Powerful novel first published in 1947 about life in a Visayan village -- where there is turmoil (because of love affairs, illness, bandits and family feuds) even before the Japanese invasion. But author Stevan Javellara's depiction of the brutal occupation of the Philippines is one of the most frightening portrayals of WWII in the Pacific that I have ever read. We follow it through the eyes of Carding as he grows from a young swain tending his caribou and wooing his sweetheart, to a war-hardened guerrilla fighter who drops morals, family ties, and -- almost -- his humanity -- to seek revenge on the invaders. Amazing that it was written and published so soon after the war.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2022
I have read this one in high school for English literature class and I loved it from then on. It's not even the typical genre that I would've liked then and now but every time I think about the plot and how it was written, it always gives me that feeling that I'll probably love this one for the rest of my life. I will forever mention this book to those who'll ask me a list of my favorite books. This is something you must read at least once in your life, especially if you're a Filipino.
November 25, 2024
I recently visited the Philippines and returned with some literary classics, of which this was one of them.
Although it begins slowly as a fictionalised description of Philippine culture, the book is like a slowly brewing thunderstorm. The emotions in it are subtle but deep, and I felt moved by the lives of these characters. The fate of the couple at the heart of the story will haunt me for a long time.
Although it begins slowly as a fictionalised description of Philippine culture, the book is like a slowly brewing thunderstorm. The emotions in it are subtle but deep, and I felt moved by the lives of these characters. The fate of the couple at the heart of the story will haunt me for a long time.
April 3, 2012
This was a requirement way back in college which started quite slow and ended with a bang.
It tells a story of Carding, an Ilonggo, his ups and downs, and his village's fall amongst Japanese soldiers during WWII.
Moving... Amazing...
It tells a story of Carding, an Ilonggo, his ups and downs, and his village's fall amongst Japanese soldiers during WWII.
Moving... Amazing...
February 17, 2025
Absolutely heartbreaking. This is fictional but I think anyone who wants a glimpse into Filipino history should try this out. Lots of graphic violence but then again, the Spanish and Japanese colonial years really were bloody.
August 4, 2012
One of my favorite books ever! Tells us of how life was during the war. Touching and a must read!
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