Ilustrado

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It begins with a body. On a clear day in winter, the battered corpse of Crispin Salvador is pulled from the Hudson River--taken from the world is the controversial lion of Philippi ne literature. Gone, too, is the only manuscript of his final book, a work meant to rescue him from obscurity by exposing the crimes of the Filipino ruling families. Miguel, his student and only remaining friend, sets out for Manila to investigate. To understand the death, Miguel scours the life, piecing together Salvador's story through his poetry, interviews, novels, polemics, and memoirs. The result is a rich and dramatic family saga of four generations, tracing 150 years of Philippine history forged under the Spanish, the Americans, and the Filipinos themselves. Finally, we are surprised to learn that this story belongs to young Miguel as much as to his lost mentor, and we are treated to an unhindered view of a society caught between reckless decay and hopeful progress. Exuberant and wise, wildly funny and deeply moving, "Ilustrado" explores the hidden truths that haunt every family. It is a daring and inventive debut by a new writer of astonishing talent. Format: Hardcover Published: in USA in 2010 Publisher: Farrar, Straus & Giroux Pages: 306 Language: English ISBN 13: 9780374174781 ISBN 10: 0374174784 Edition: 1 Show more