The Pretenders (novel)
Encyclopedia
The Pretenders is a 1962 historical novel
written by Filipino National Artist F. Sionil José
. It is the second to the last novel composing José’s series known as The Rosales Saga
.
. The timeline is set during the years after the Second World War, during the 1950s (because of a reference to Ramon Magsaysay
found at the final pages of the novel).
, who gained a doctorate degree from Harvard University
in New England
of the United States
. Samson was the grandson of Istak Samson who was also known as Eustaquio Salvador (Istak was the protagonist in José’s Po-on). Antonio neglected his own father, the son of Istak Samson, who was punished by being imprisoned for life after his involvement in the burning of a municipio and killing Luis Asperri, the haciendero or ranch-owner character in José’s My Brother, My Executioner
. Antonio was unable to marry his “hometown sweetheart” and cousin with whom he fathered Pepe, Antonio Samson’s illegitimate child who became the protagonist in José’s Mass
. Samson was unable to fulfill the plan of marrying Pepe’s mother because he became engaged with Carmen Villa in the U.S. Antonio married Carmen Villa, who was the daughter of Don Manuel, an “agro-industrial baron”, mestizo
and “buyer of people”. The Don was able to purchase even a magazine journalist whom Antonio Samson considered a “man of integrity”. After one unfortunate and shameful event to another, including finding out that his “socialite wife” had had “affairs with other men”, Antonio Samson rebelled and committed suicide by hurling himself underneath a moving train.
Historical novel
According to Encyclopædia Britannica, a historical novel is-Development:An early example of historical prose fiction is Luó Guànzhōng's 14th century Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which covers one of the most important periods of Chinese history and left a lasting impact on Chinese culture.The...
written by Filipino National Artist F. Sionil José
F. Sionil José
F. Sionil José or in full Francisco Sionil José is one of the most widely-read Filipino writers in the English language. His novels and short stories depict the social underpinnings of class struggles and colonialism in Filipino society...
. It is the second to the last novel composing José’s series known as The Rosales Saga
The Rosales Saga
The Rosales Saga, also known as the Rosales Novels, is a series of five historical and political novels written by Filipino National Artist F. Sionil José...
.
Description
José’s The Pretenders portrayed the master-and-servant and lord-and-slave relationship in the “industrial world” of Manila, PhilippinesPhilippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. The timeline is set during the years after the Second World War, during the 1950s (because of a reference to Ramon Magsaysay
Ramon Magsaysay
Ramón del Fierro Magsaysay was the third President of the Republic of the Philippines from December 30, 1953 until his death in a plane crash in 1957. He was elected President under the banner of the Nacionalista Party.-Early life:Ramon F...
found at the final pages of the novel).
Characters
The principal character in The Pretenders is Antonio “Tony” Samson. Samson was a rural area resident of Cabugawan village in Rosales, PangasinanRosales, Pangasinan
Rosales is a 1st class municipality in the province of Pangasinan, Philippines. It is sometimes called as Carmen, Pangasinan based on its progressive barangay, Carmen...
, who gained a doctorate degree from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
in New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Samson was the grandson of Istak Samson who was also known as Eustaquio Salvador (Istak was the protagonist in José’s Po-on). Antonio neglected his own father, the son of Istak Samson, who was punished by being imprisoned for life after his involvement in the burning of a municipio and killing Luis Asperri, the haciendero or ranch-owner character in José’s My Brother, My Executioner
My Brother, My Executioner
My Brother, My Executioner is a novel by Filipino author Francisco Sionil José written in Philippine English. A part of the so-called Rosales Saga - a series of five interconnected fiction novels - My Brother, My Executioner ranks third in terms of chronology...
. Antonio was unable to marry his “hometown sweetheart” and cousin with whom he fathered Pepe, Antonio Samson’s illegitimate child who became the protagonist in José’s Mass
Mass (novel)
Mass, also known as Mass: A Novel, is a 1973 historical and political novel written by Filipino National Artist F. Sionil José. Together with The Pretenders, the Mass is the completion of José’s The Rosales Saga, which is also known as the Rosales Novels...
. Samson was unable to fulfill the plan of marrying Pepe’s mother because he became engaged with Carmen Villa in the U.S. Antonio married Carmen Villa, who was the daughter of Don Manuel, an “agro-industrial baron”, mestizo
Mestizo
Mestizo is a term traditionally used in Latin America, Philippines and Spain for people of mixed European and Native American heritage or descent...
and “buyer of people”. The Don was able to purchase even a magazine journalist whom Antonio Samson considered a “man of integrity”. After one unfortunate and shameful event to another, including finding out that his “socialite wife” had had “affairs with other men”, Antonio Samson rebelled and committed suicide by hurling himself underneath a moving train.