Tragic love story set in upper class neighborhood of Santa Cruz in Manilla, Philippines during Spanish Colonial times, c1880s. The story is engaging even though the language is a bit formal and stilted. The voluminous footnotes add a lot of detail on the natural history of this island nation but are extremely distracting so should only be read before or after reading the novel itself. Recommended for anyone who has visited the Philippines or those who want a very different take on what life might have been like for the 1% in colonial times. ( )

The value of Nínay is - perhaps - that of being the first novel by a filipino author. While it is true that it was written originally in Spanish while Paterno was in Spain, it introduced, albeit in a romanticized way, filipino characters, and their culture, not from the viewpoint of an external observer, but from within. First published in 1885, its female characters, particularly that of its protagonist, follow the social mores of the period. Nínay is a doomed character (died of cholera before the beginning of the narrative), who like her lover Carlos Mabagsic, died of cholera as a consequence of the persecution of Federico Silveryo. The narrative is inscribed within the context of a pasiam or novena for the dead, providing a structure (each section corresponds to each of the nights of the novena), and a meta-narrative in which the reader becomes another listener of the story. While its narrative rhythm may seem morose to contemporary readers, it is worth reading it as a critical rendering of filipino culture, establishing it as worthy and independent of both colonial powers: Spain, and the United States.

Ninay, by Pedro Paternon, was originally written in Spanish and first published in 1885. According to Wikipedia, it is the first novel authored by a native Filipino. The book I received from Early Reviewers was newly published in English in 2023.
Set during the “Spanish era” of the Philippines, the novel tells the story of Ninay, a bright, happy, and kind young woman, who falls in love with an equally kind young man. An evil antagonist devises a plot to end the romance resulting in heartbreak and tragedy. The story is told within the framework of the ritualistic 9-day mourning period called Pasiyam which honors the individual who died and offers an opportunity to grieve.
The language of the book is exceedingly flowery, which assumably was typical in the Philippines at that time. I found it overly romantic; “From their souls sprang forth sweetest hopes as the sampaguita exhales its sweetest perfumes, as the glimmering twilight falls, or as the tamarindo folds its delicate leaves as the mysterious night draws near, preparing itself to be initiated into some secret of the Divinity.” (pg. 62). The portrayal of Ninay as extremely obedient and attentive to her parents’ wishes and interests does not translate well to today’s youth. She is perfect; her thoughts and actions and behaviors are perfect; her style and dress and hair is perfect; her lover is perfect. And the people who ruined her life are equally malicious.
However, I enjoyed the book. The story was interesting but the depiction of life in the Philippines was fascinating.
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(This Mint Edition is a neat reprint of a classic of Philippines literature. I found the binding well done and the paper quality great. The font size was small, almost too small, but I managed. I would get these editions again if the font is larger. Overall, it was a serviceable copy.)
I found myself charmed by this dramatic, tragic love story, told with style. The plot was interesting enough on its own, but it also served as a cultural tour of 1800s Philippines, even if it is tainted by Spanish colonialism. Paterno manages to express the cultural importance of nature, boats, Catholicism, folklore, and superstitions, as well as the colonial influence of Spanish culture. The footnotes (which I read separately) are full of interesting info- like having the insider knowledge of a tour guide. I can see why this was a celebrated work in the Philippines. ( )

Disclaimer: I received an edition via a LIbrarything giveaway.

I have to say before I review the actual text that print in this Mint edition is rather small. I know Mint does affordable books without bells and whistles (say like Dover publications does) but even considering that the font in this edition is almost too small. I even compared to the other Mint editions that I have and it is smaller than those two. So if this a marketing decision for future Mint editions, I think it needs to be rethought.

This short novel details the romance between the title character and Carlos, The romance, as the back cover says so not really a spoiler, is tragic. The characters, to be fair, are more types than actual people.

So why four stars?

Because the predictable tragic story is the framework on which some beautiful writing capturing a culture is hung. Paterno presents a culture and life. Even the footnotes, which at first appeared to be slightly annoying and at times a bit off topic, got better. There is a lovely and beautiful passage about birds in one of them. It makes a predictable tragic love story a wonderful read. ( )