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Cover of Ilustrado
Literary Fiction· Philippines

Ilustrado

by Miguel Syjuco
Aggregate Editorial Score30/100
#119,727of 99,626 books
★Booker Prize
Published 2008English
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About This Book

Published in 2008, Ilustrado established Miguel Syjuco as one of the defining voices in literary fiction. Ilustrado by Miguel Syjuco is a groundbreaking novel that won the 2008 Man Asian Literary Prize. It weaves together multiple narratives to explore the complexities of Filipino identity, history, and politics. The novel follows a young writer's investigation into the mysterious death of his mentor, uncovering layers of personal and national history. Syjuco's innovative narrative structure and incisive social commentary have earned the novel international acclaim. Themes of identity, history, politics run through the work. The book has received recognition from Man Asian Literary Prize 2008.

Book Details

AuthorMiguel Syjuco
Published2008
Country of Origin🇵🇭 Philippines
LanguageEnglish
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780374174781
Editorial Score30/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇵🇭 Philippines

This book is part of Philippines's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Philippines →

Editorial Assessment

Ilustrado by Miguel Syjuco sits within the tradition of literary fiction that treats language as seriously as plot. Published in 2008 in Philippines, it engages with identity, history, politics, mystery in ways that have earned it lasting critical attention. Among its recognitions: Man Asian Literary Prize 2008. With an editorial score of 30/100 drawn from 1 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys. The appeal of Ilustrado lies partly in its refusal to offer easy answers. Its exploration of identity, history, politics, mystery is sustained, textured, and genuinely thought-provoking in ways that stay with readers well after the final page. Within Philippines's literary landscape, Miguel Syjuco occupies a significant position. Ilustrado is both a personal artistic statement and a contribution to a tradition shaped by the country's history and cultural concerns.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Booker Prize
notable · global
20100
✍️
About the Author
Miguel Syjuco
Philippines
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Miguel Syjuco is a Philippines author whose work in literary fiction has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ilustrado about?

Ilustrado by Miguel Syjuco is a groundbreaking novel that won the 2008 Man Asian Literary Prize. It weaves together multiple narratives to explore the complexities of Filipino identity, history, and politics. The novel follows a young writer's investigation into the mysterious death of his mentor, uncovering layers of personal and national history. Syjuco's innovative narrative structure and incisive social commentary have earned the novel international acclaim.

Who wrote Ilustrado?

Ilustrado was written by Miguel Syjuco, from Philippines. First published in 2008.

What awards has Ilustrado won?

Ilustrado has received the following recognition: Man Asian Literary Prize 2008.

Is Ilustrado worth reading?

Ilustrado is a well-regarded book with an aggregate editorial score of 30/100 on 50 Best Books. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in identity, history, politics.

Where can I buy Ilustrado?

You can buy Ilustrado on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is Ilustrado?

Ilustrado is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is Ilustrado from?

Ilustrado originates from Philippines's literary tradition. Explore more books from Philippines on our country page.

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