Published in Madrid, Imprint de Fontanet

Calle de la Libertad, Num. 20

1885

First Edition

Bound in leather with marbled end-papers

Signed and dedicated as follows

"Al célebre crítico, al popular novelista, inimitable y fecundo escritor Don José Fernández
Bremón.

Su admirador y sincero amigo PA Paterno"

"To the famous literary critic, to the popular novelist, inimitable and prolific writer Don José
Fernández Bremón.

Your admirer and sincere friend, PA Paterno"

It is necessary to remember once again that Noli me Tangere (1887) did not burst onto the
literary and cultural scene of the Philippine archipelago by spontaneous generation. In other
words, it was not exclusively a product of the extraordinary genius of José Rizal. It had a clear
novelistic precedent that inspired it and that saw the light, not by chance, just two years
before: Nínay (1885). The merits of this great work were not recognized for a long time for
reasons that have nothing to do with its artistic quality, but with the controversial personality of
its author: Pedro Alejandro Paterno (1857-1911).

To understand the genesis of this novel, it is necessary to know the context in which it was
published. The young Paterno, as is well known, came from one of the most illustrious families
in Manila. Having brilliantly completed his university studies in Spain — he obtained a doctorate
in civil and canon law in 1880 — he decided to settle in a sumptuous apartment in Madrid that
became famous for its unique collection of Philippine art.