This historical fiction by Linda Ty-Casper paints a picture of the Philippines on the verge of revolution against Spain in 1896. Through the memories of the author’s grandmother, Gabriela Paez Viardo de Velasquez, Ty-Casper presents diverse perspectives on the broader national struggle through the lens of the Viardo family, vividly bringing history to life. The book also features prominent figures of the time including Jose Rizal, Andrés Bonifacio, and Emilio Aguinaldo.

First published in 1979, this new edition includes a foreword by Manuel L. Quezon III. He writes that the book “is more accurately a story that explores how the revolution was itself a confrontation between Filipinos.” He also notes how the book not only depicts the historical struggle but also preserves the nuances of a bygone era, capturing the beliefs, prejudices, ideals, and disappointments of nineteenth-century Philippines.

Linda Ty-Casper (b. 1931), one of the Philippines’ foremost historical novelists, believes literature is a nation’s autobiography. Inspired by her grandmother’s stories of the Philippine revolution, Ty-Casper has dedicated her career to retelling the country’s past, blending historical events with personal narratives to deepen our understanding of history.