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Dusk (Rosales Saga #1)

3.92 of 5 stars 3.92 · rating details · 215 ratings · 25 reviews

With Dusk (originally published in the Philippines as Po-on), F. Sionil Jose begins his five-novel Rosales Saga, which the poet and critic Ricaredo Demetillo called "the first great Filipino novels written in English." Set in the 1880s, Dusk records the exile of a tenant family from its village and the new life it attempts to make in the small town of Rosales. Here commenc...more

Paperback, The Modern Library, 325 pages

Published April 28th 1998 by Random House Publishing Group (first published 1984)

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Aug 26, 2011 K.D. Oliveros rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to K.D. by: Philippine National Artist Award for Literature

Shelves: about-philippines, epic, history, local, national-artist-of-the-philippines

Francisco Sionil Jose (born 1942) is the Philippines' bet for Nobel Prize for Literature. He is one of the widely known Filipino novelists using English. His contemporaries are now either dead or have stopped writing so their books are no longer sold at the mainstream bookstores in the country. However, the books of F. Sionil Jose still sell like hotcakes occupying the eye-level shelves and competing for space with those books of the much younger novelists.

Dusk (or "Po-on" whenever published in...more Francisco Sionil Jose (born 1942) is the Philippines' bet for Nobel Prize for Literature. He is one of the widely known Filipino novelists using English. His contemporaries are now either dead or have stopped writing so their books are no longer sold at the mainstream bookstores in the country. However, the books of F. Sionil Jose still sell like hotcakes occupying the eye-level shelves and competing for space with those books of the much younger novelists.

Dusk (or "Po-on" whenever published in the Philippines) is the first book of F. Sionil Jose's The Rosales Saga. There are 5 books in the series but F. Sionil Jose says that each of the book can be read independently. They are all set mainly in Rosales, a town in Pangasinan, where F. Sionil was born and where he also grew up. The series is said to be an allegory for the Filipinos in search of their true identity.

Dusk tells the life of Eustaquio "Istak" Salvador or simply Istak Samson (he changes his surname when he and his family go to hiding) who works in the parish run by a Spanish friar during the late nineteenth century in Northern Philippines. The friar is good to young Istak and takes care of him like his own son: he teaches him how to pray, heal sickness, write and speak Spanish and Latin and how to assist during the Holy Mass. The friar goes old and so he thinks that Istak should be sent to Laoag seminary to become a priest. However, this is during the Spanish occupation and indios (that's how Spaniards call Filipinos during that time) are not allowed to become priests so Istak, now 21 y/o, has to go back to his family and help in his family's farm. Istak's father begs the new priest to send his son to the seminary and while they are arguing, Istak's father kills the priest. The story continues with the whole family escaping like fugitives and afraid of encountering mga tulisan (local terrorists), Spanish armies or even American soldiers (since at the later part of the story, Spain ceded Philippines to American by the virtue of 1989 Treaty of Paris).

The exodus of the family reminded me of John Steinbeck's Joad family in his opus The Grapes of Wrath because of the death, sickness and danger that lurked during the whole journey. The local setting with the people believing in spirits, superstitions mixed with Catholic practices reminds me of Gabriel Garcia Marquez's One Hundred Days of Solitude (Book 1 itself covers 20-30 years). They say that the series has its epic grandeur that one will feel after finishing all the 5 books that can remind one of Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace. At least for the first book, the prose is lucid and tells the story straight from his heart (he is a Filipino who comes from that part of the country). J. Sionil Jose's effort in researching the details covered in this book is astounding. The opening letter seems authentic and the language used throughout the novel is consistent and amusing.

My favorite part are the appearances of the two well-known and beloved figures in Philippine history. I will not tell you who are they as I have a feeling that F. Sionil Jose used them as a come-on for this first book (btw, my brother has told me that this is the only book worth reading in the series). Imagine those two characters talking and moving in your imagination while reading the book. At least for one of them, I have not seen a movie about his life and even a footage of his pictures on TV. I used to see him only on a peso bill (I forgot on what denomination).

Fantastic book. (less)

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Apr 04, 2013 Josephine rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: for-2013, favorites, pinoy-read-2013

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. My five-star rating for Po-on isn't because of the plot. You read something like this [something about power, murders, violence, poverty, etc.] too many times the story gets old too fast. But, he was able to get to the bottom of it: why the Philippines is such a disjointed country that it is now.

It's because of self-preservation.

Why did an idealist like Istak who was persevering--[getting up at such an early hour everyday to toll the bells of the church, do the chores in the sacristy, diligentl...more My five-star rating for Po-on isn't because of the plot. You read something like this [something about power, murders, violence, poverty, etc.] too many times the story gets old too fast. But, he was able to get to the bottom of it: why the Philippines is such a disjointed country that it is now.

It's because of self-preservation.

Why did an idealist like Istak who was persevering--[getting up at such an early hour everyday to toll the bells of the church, do the chores in the sacristy, diligently reading and studying Spanish and Latin... all the while believing he was doing this for God and the country because he was the "chosen one..."] would change his tune ten years or so afterward? Why would he not care about the country anymore and its people that he wanted to serve and say that he had to think of his clan/family first? That he was nothing but a mere farmer?

It was because of self-preservation. Because where were the others when his father was being tortured? When their village was being burned? Being pillaged? Or when his brother An-no was being taken? The list is endless, and no one came forward to help... all the while, some of the "chosen ones" were aiding their oppressors... when they were supposedly helping their own countrymen. So why would Istak want to help others? They were never really helped in the first place except by Don Jacinto for whom he would run an errand for later on and would only do so at first out of gratitude.

Why would the young general not believe Istak when he delivered the message? It was because he had seen betrayal way too many times he would rather not risk receiving help from someone even if this someone else was his compatriot. After all, if he placed his trust into the hands of the wrong person, it would cost him his life and the lives of their men.

To this day, such things still happen. Why would you help other people when no one helped you when you were in dire need? Or why would you help others if sometimes "ikaw pa ang lalabas na masama?"

Out of pain, fear, and distrust, Kanya-kanya syndrome was born and it will forever persist if left alone.(less)

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Mar 12, 2013 Ben rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Written by F. Sionil Jose, Po-on is one of the novels in the 5-book series "The Rosales Saga". Chronoligically, it's the first in the series but the last to be written. It tells the story of a poor Ilocano clan in their little exodus from Ilokos to Pangasinan, how they struggle to to travel with a handful of carts while a group of Spanish guards are hunting them down, how they go through a series of unfortunate events as they search for a land to settle. It's a well-developed historical fiction...more

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Nov 14, 2011 Ayban Gabriyel rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Na-score ko 'tong librong ito one time sa NBS Bicutan, natsempuhang naka-sale. 100 pesos, kaya dampot agad punta sa counter para magbayad. Grabe galak at tuwa ko nun, dahil gusto kong mabasa ang Po-on at eto na nga ang tumambad sa harap ko, Po-on ni Sionil ang nakakatuwa pa, ung translated berso sa Filipino. Isang bagay lang ang nakakalungkot sa librong ito, medyo nagdedeteriorate na ang mga pahina, kumakawala na sila sa pagkakabind, kaya pala nakasale. Para hindi naman masayang ang librong ito,...more Na-score ko 'tong librong ito one time sa NBS Bicutan, natsempuhang naka-sale. 100 pesos, kaya dampot agad punta sa counter para magbayad. Grabe galak at tuwa ko nun, dahil gusto kong mabasa ang Po-on at eto na nga ang tumambad sa harap ko, Po-on ni Sionil ang nakakatuwa pa, ung translated berso sa Filipino. Isang bagay lang ang nakakalungkot sa librong ito, medyo nagdedeteriorate na ang mga pahina, kumakawala na sila sa pagkakabind, kaya pala nakasale. Para hindi naman masayang ang librong ito, ginawan ko sya nang paraan tulad ng paggawa ko ng paraan sa mga lumang librong meron ako na inooperahan ko ang nilalagyan ng staple ang mga gilid ng binding, napagisip-isip ko sa susunod ung staple na de-baril na ang gagamitin ko para kumagat sa bawat pahina nito.

Balik tayo sa libro, ang bersyon ng librong ito ay salin sa Filipino ni Lilia Antonio isang manunula at essayist. Propesor ng Foriegn Studies sa Osaka Japan.

Ang Po-on unang libro sa tinaguriang Rosales Saga, limang konektadong libro na nilikha ng Natl Artist for Literature F. Sionil Jose. Ang limang libro ay konektado sa isa't isa, ngunit maari raw basahin ng magkakahiwalay o kahit hindi sunudsunod. Sinasabi rin ng iba na ang Po-on ang pinaka magandang nobela sa lima, at sabi nila parang tinamad na si Sionil sa apat na kasunod na nobela. Hindi ko panapapatunayan ito sa aking sarili dahil hindi ko pa nababasa ang apat na iba pang nobela, pero totoong naganda ako sa unang nobela ng rosales saga kahit pa ito ay naisalin na sa wikang Filipino. Minsan iniisip ko nga kung binasa ko ito sa Ingles mas magandahan kaya ako? Dahil syempre, hindi naman eksakto o perpekto sa perspektibo ni Sionil sa pagsalin ni Lilia. Ngunit gayon pa man, hindi nabawasan para sa akin ang ganda ng libro.

Ang libro ay tumatalakay sa isang pamayanan na ngalan ay Po-on at ang pamilya nila Estaqio Salvador na lumikas mula norte papuntang lambak pero nakita ang lugar nila sa Rosales, Pangasinan. Dito sila nagsimula muli ng bagong pamayanan na tinawag nilang Cabugawan. Ang istorya ng Po-on ay umiikot sa pamilya ni Estaqio o mas kilalang Istak, isang dating sakristan na pinangarap maging pari ngunit na udlot na may dumating na bagong pari at pina balik sya sa Po-on nang malaman ni Istak nang hindi sinasadya ang pagabuso nito sa isang dalaga. (spoiler!) At naging sukdulan ang lahat ng hindi sinasadyang mapatay ng ama ni Istak ang bagong pari. Dun nagsimula ang kanilang paglalakbay papuntang timog. Kung saan kailangan muli nilang magsimula sa wala. Magnakaw ng bukid sa kagubatan at hawan ang mga lupa upang maging bukid. Naging manggagamot si Istak kanilang maliit na bayan, marami syang nalalaman. Ito'y dahil na rin sa kanyang karanasan sa sakritiya at mga natutunan mula sa matandang pari na si Padre Jose na tinuturing niyang guro at mabait na prayle. Hangang sa dumating ang mga bagong mananakop, dumating ang mga Amerikano. At dito na nga lumabas ang dalawang kilalang bayani ng ating bansa, pero tulad ng ibang rebyu dito, hindi ko sasabihin kung sino sila. Pero sa bandang huli ng libro dito kung saan sila lalabas, magiging nakapaka interesante at baka tapusin mo na at hindi bitawan tulad nagawa ko. haha!

Teka-teka, may napansin lang ako sa librong ito, muntik na syang maging botany book! :D Bakit? Kung babalikan mo napakaraming halaman at puno ang sinambit sa librong ito. Nariyan ang Dalipawen, Alibangbang, Banaba, Bayabas, Saging, Papaya, Tatlong uri ng Kawayan, Kamote, Kalamansi, Palay, Tabaco, Madre de Cacao, Balete at atbp. Haha!

Ngayon bago ko basahin ang pangalawang libro mula sa Rosales Saga, gusto ko munang basahin ang Po-on sa orihinal na lenggwaheng pagkakasulat nito, sa Ingles. Tingin ko mas magugustuhan ko ito. Sana mabasa nyo ang librong ito. :D(less)

4 likes · like · see review

Feb 10, 2013 Rise added it · review of another edition

F. Sionil José's re-imagined community

Po-on (1984, also published as Dusk) is the first chronological part of Filipino novelist F. Sionil José's epic story consisting of five volumes and collectively known as the Rosales saga. It is a historical and political novel set in Luzon Island during the last days of Spanish rule in the Philippines in late 19th century up to the entry of American imperialists. It traces the southward journey of an extended family evicted from their homes by Spanish auth...more

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Sep 12, 2012 Patrick rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Jose does a very good job examining how a common man is awakened to partake in his duty toward his country. He also does an excellent job describing the sensual yearnings of physical and later emotional love.

The church becomes corrupt when they begin to take charge of temporal matters as what happened in the Philippines during the Spanish colonization when the priests were the de facto temporal rulers and the guards were merely enforces of the law. Having church and state married to the Spanish...more

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Mar 21, 2013 Raul Ramos y Sanchez rated it 5 of 5 stars

Through lush yet unpretentious prose and a sinuous narrative, DUSK captures the smoldering discontent that created the Philippine nation. The central character, Eustaqio “Istak” Samson, gives us a flesh-and-blood perspective on the diverse and often antagonistic inhabitants of these Pacific islands. Istak's transformation from would-be priest to insurgent personifies how the Philippine people overcame their differences and eventually locked arms in response to colonial exploitation and prejudice...more

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Mar 20, 2013 Maria Ella rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical, pinoy-publication, 2013-reading-challenge, to-cry-for

There is something in the way F. Sionil Jose narrates stories of the setting in which a Manileña like me, was able to reflect to the daily lifestyle and random situations of the Samsons (previously Salvadors) on their exodus from Cabunaw to Bo. Cabunawanan, Rosales, Pangasinan. It is more of touching your heart not only as a reader, but also your nationalistic soul as a Filipino. :)

I was impressed in the structure of the novel - it has two viewpoints: the narrator, while elaborating the adventur...more

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Mar 22, 2013 Chibivy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Chibivy by: Pinoy Reads Pinoy Books

Shelves: group-reads, prpb, owned, 2013-reads, pinoy, i-have-a-paperback-copy

This is a beautiful piece of Philippine literature!

Before reading Po-on, I haven’t really heard who F. Sionil Jose was. This was his first work that I’ve read, and based in this book, I could say that he truly deserve the Philippines’ National Artist for Literature in 2001 award. Written in English language, the prose was executed fluidly and articulately. The settings were carefully described, painting a vivid picture in the imagination of the readers; while each scene stirred a lot of emotions...more This is a beautiful piece of Philippine literature!

Before reading Po-on, I haven’t really heard who F. Sionil Jose was. This was his first work that I’ve read, and based in this book, I could say that he truly deserve the Philippines’ National Artist for Literature in 2001 award. Written in English language, the prose was executed fluidly and articulately. The settings were carefully described, painting a vivid picture in the imagination of the readers; while each scene stirred a lot of emotions from me.

The novel encompasses the story of Eustaquio “Istak” Salvador and the injustices that had befallen to his family. However, their miseries also mirrored the experiences of the early Filipinos (whom they called “Indios”) in the hands of foreign colonizers. The Spaniards were the ones who introduced Catholicism to the country, and yet these so-called “men of God” handled power ruthlessly. They treated men indifferently because Spaniards deemed them as stupid and incapable to learn; while they treated women like rags who could sate their carnal desires. Spaniards believed that early Filipinos were “inferior” to them because of the natives’ brown skin, flat nose, and short stature. Admittedly, there were those like Padre Jose who treated the Indios appropriately and believed in the capabilities; but most were ethnocentric people who used their “God-given power” as a tool to oppress the rights of minority.

Po-on tackled several social issues that not only happened in the colonial era, but also manifested in the present time. Injustice still prevails today, and there is still this social hierarchy which discriminates individuals because of their status. Education is still a privilege of a few, and because of that illiterate persons are easily manipulated by the oppressive system. Most of all, we as a people still struggle in our national unity. More than a century had passed since the declaration of our independence; and yet, are we truly free?

The characters were beautifully developed, and I really liked Istak. However, my favorite in the novel was Dalin. I greatly admire this woman of resilience and strength who had braved the storms that passed in her life. Her unwavering dedication had served as Istak’s source of strength in times of perils, and she was like his beacon of light.

Po-on demonstrates different faces of love—love for country, love for family, love for friends and comrades, and romantic love for a special person. During the entirety of the time I read the novel, I have gone through a roller coaster of emotions and reflections. It was a poignant story that touches the heart, while enlivening a Filipino’s nationalistic feelings. I believe this is an excellent novel to discuss inside the classroom, for such piece of literature could shape the young minds of the students to love the Philippines more.
(less)

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Apr 08, 2013 Raechella rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: book-series, historical-fiction, pinoy-books, reviewed

Foremost book in the five-part Rosales Saga (but last to be published) by the Philippine National Artist for Literature, F. Sionil Jose—Po-on embraces an air of nationalism and gushes with an autonomous aspiration from the long oppressed Filipinos. Istak’s mere fabricated globe recounts the factual—though not concrete—burden the Filipinos has been subjected to throughout the tyranny of the Spaniards, and shortly under the regime of the Americans. Jose’s guileless yet lyrical prose, with his clea...more Foremost book in the five-part Rosales Saga (but last to be published) by the Philippine National Artist for Literature, F. Sionil Jose—Po-on embraces an air of nationalism and gushes with an autonomous aspiration from the long oppressed Filipinos. Istak’s mere fabricated globe recounts the factual—though not concrete—burden the Filipinos has been subjected to throughout the tyranny of the Spaniards, and shortly under the regime of the Americans. Jose’s guileless yet lyrical prose, with his clear-cut exhibition of the backdrop and episodes of confrontations, promises a picturesque panorama of the Salvador’s (later Samson) expeditions and misadventures, along with an inexplicable feeling of patriotism hovering over the pages.

It isn’t so hard to penetrate into the lives of the indios (as Spaniards call the Filipinos) since the distinct attributes of the characters are very well manifested until today. A Filipino himself, Jose did not—in any way—commit any biasness towards the Filipinos. Istak’s resolute faith to a divine entity makes him an epitome of righteousness but his inadvertent fascination towards women makes him a flawed being nonetheless. Ba-ac’s sulkiness at the onset of the story creates a disagreeable impression on his part but discovering the reason behind his severed hand gives him redemption even so. And then there were the Filipino traitors who recoiled from their resistance to favor the enemy’s cause—not to mention the “tulisans” who oppress their own kindred.

Nor did Jose set any prejudices against our foreign aggressors. Albeit the ruthless governance of the Spaniards—along with the Church’s iniquitous exploits—particular individuals however were designed to project an upright disposition towards the Filipinos. Such person is Padre Jose—Istak’s mentor and father-like figure. He serves as a remembrance that goodness comes from any race, however deplorable the majority are.

I’ve never really been a patriotic individual—save for my occasional remarks about the country’s involvement in various issues—but plunging deeper into F. Sionil Jose’s engaging narrative and beautiful prose, one cannot be helped but to be terribly perturbed by the maelstrom of emotions compellingly swirling on every page. I literally felt a searing pain in my chest the moment I flipped the final page, specifically because of Istak’s last notation from his journal. We own our country, we own our resources, and we own ourselves. But why are these aliens gaining from our possessions? They hold in great awe our majestic resources and obtain an unlimited supply of opportunities from these, but degrading with its unsightly attributes. Are they here to praise or to demean us?

An insensible citizen now a compassionate native of my country—Po-on has shaped my newfound love for my motherland.
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Jul 22, 2012 Neo rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

BEING an Ilocano myself, and having known much of our own history and language, I take pride of having read F. Sionil Jose’s Po-on (Dusk), the first in the five-book series The Rosales Saga. It’s the same feeling I had, as a Filipino and proud member of the Malay race, after reading the English versions of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, two classic novels of Jose Rizal.

The setting of Rizal’s Noli and Fili is a fictional town called San Diego (possibly in Laguna), but the issues transcend...more

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Nov 16, 2011 Katherine rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Nadine, Kristine

I took my time with this book- I think its because many emotions were stirring inside of me that I had to reconcile with first. I wish I knew more of my own Filipino history. I felt sad that I did not know many of the folk heroes that were mentioned in this book. I also hurt for all the savagery of th Spanish and American occupations that occured many generations ago but still.....Lastly, I agree with the author's viewpoint that as Filipinoes, we are not united. Even today as we apeak, we are di...more

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Jan 21, 2012 Shari rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: drama

Simple narrative, unsophisticated even, but capable all the same of evoking vivid images by the author's lyrical wordings. The story is tragic and touching. Ishtak's dilemma, resolution and sort of "beatification" are moving. The pathos of this simple farmer is revealed much in the ending letter. The use of correspondence in the beginning and ending is a good narrative technique.

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Dec 12, 2012 Berto rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Maganda...

Atleast heroic yung ginawa ni Istak sa ending.

Excited na sa kasunod na libro.

"Conquest by force is not sanctioned by God. The Americans have no right to be here. We will defeat them in the end because we believe this land they usurp is ours; God created it for us. The whole history of mankind has shown how faith endures while steel rusts." - Eustaquio Salvador

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Oct 21, 2012 Mark Flores rated it 4 of 5 stars

It made me love my country more. It made me understand that the absurdity we now experience is caused by Spanish idiotization and American bastardization. The enemy is US imperialism and it must fall down.

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Aug 24, 2011 Lucy rated it 5 of 5 stars

It's a read that sneaks up on you. At first it's okay, yeah, not bad, and then you realize you've been reading it, looking forward to it, and finally, it all hits you. This story has been masterfully, very purposefully told. We get to live the experience of the "nameless soldier" through the protagonist, and in doing so, gain insight into the fierce struggle for Filipino independence.

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Dec 13, 2012 Emma rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: around-the-world-in-52-books-readin, historical-fiction-challenge-2012, read-in-2012

On a background of hauntingly beautiful landscape, so well committed to words, see my favorite passage here below, this is actually the horrific history of Spaniard colonization (and the beginning of the American one) of the Philippines.

This was totally new to me, though unfortunately history repeats itself when it comes to colonization, with the help of the Church. I’m a committed Christian, but I have to say the Church does not...

My full review is here:
http://wordsandpeace.com/2012/12/13/2...

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Sep 15, 2012 Alvin Rc rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I read the original, which in English.

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Jan 04, 2011 RE de Leon rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: f-sionil-jos, history-philippines, politics, novels, filipino, filipiniana

Detailed review later.

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Jun 21, 2010 Ness rated it 5 of 5 stars

Life is a dusk.

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Oct 30, 2007 Joe rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: feel all nationalist and stuff

Shelves: fiction

So yeah, there's a lot of heavy handed rhetoric in this book--that's to be expected. It's TRYING to be a national book and all. But really, it was about 100 pages too short. I want my epics about national identity, duty and resistance to feel epic. You know?

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Dec 01, 2008 Randy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Loved the book. Makes me want to go back and reread "A Hundred Years of Solitude".

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Jul 07, 2008 Cindy rated it 4 of 5 stars

social crusader ala zola - e.g. a little obvious, but still excellent

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Oct 19, 2008 meow_meow rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: everybody in the whole wide universe who can understand english!!!! :)

Shelves: homegrown

grabe... a novel with historical proportions! kakakilabot!

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Dec 04, 2007 Hahaha rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: my friend

so good and interesting

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May 20, 2013 Severino Halum iii rated it 5 of 5 stars

May 17, 2013 Lorielle Malveda rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

May 11, 2013 Mitch Cerda rated it 3 of 5 stars

May 11, 2013 J.D. marked it as to-read

May 08, 2013 Jed Elrick marked it as to-read

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About F. Sionil José

Francisco 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 organ...more

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Quotes from Dusk

“We go from one darkness to another and in between, the hidden light of the world, of knowledge. We open our eyes and in this circle of light, we see not just ourselves but others who are our likenesses. This light tells us all men are brothers, but even brothers kill one another, and it is in this light where all this happens. But living in this dazzling light does not blind us to what lies beyond the darkness from where we emerged and where we are going. It is faith which makes our journey possible though it be marred by the unkindness of men, their eternal faulting, before we pass on to another darkness.” — 2 people liked it

“But God, I don’t doubt You. I can see You in the morning, in the dew on the grass. Should I worship You in silence, without the obeisance and obedience to Your ministers? Should I stop singing and, within me, let my deeds speak of my belief and gratitude in Your greatness?

The men who taught us of Your presence, who opened the doors of Your temple that I may see the light – they are white like You. Are You then the god of white people, and if we who are brown worship You, do we receive Your blessings as white men do?

I pray that You be not white, that You be without color and that You be in all men because goodness cannot be encased only in white.

I should worship then not a white god but someone brown like me. Pride tells me only one thing – that we are more than equal with those who rule us. Pride tells me that this land is mine, that they should leave me to my destiny, and if they will not leave, pride tells me that I should push them away and should they refuse this, I should vanquish them, kill them. I have known long ago that their blood is the same as mine. No stranger can come battering down my door and say he brings me light. This I have within me.” — 2 people liked it

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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/449164.Dusk?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320467181l/449164.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/449164.Dusk?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Dusk by F. Sionil José[/url]

Dusk (Rosales Saga #1)

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