Reading this as a modern woman is a surefire way to get your blood pressure up. And look. I UNDERSTAND we had just started learning English. I UNDERSTAND the sociopolitical climate back then was pro-American and misogynistic. And I read this for class so in the final tally, I found this novel useful as an artifact of literary history.

But were I reading for leisure??? DNF. The writing is awkward and verbose, the plot is rudimentary and contrived, the metaphors are overused (even by that period in Anglo-American literature); it confuses itself with European allusions and American idioms; it promotes colonial mentality and reinforces misogyny... It is a product of its time alright. It's a book you assign in class to be a bad example.

And it is NOT Galang's fault, I know, there was nothing he could've possible done to improve given his literary resources and political climate of the time, but I also cannot in good conscience give this novel more than 2 stars just for being foundational. Like, thanks for paving the way, wouldn't read it again and won't be recommending it.