Published in 1887, Noli Me Tangere is a novel written by Jose Rizal, a Filipino polymath and national hero. The book tells the story of Juan Crisostomo, a young priest who returns to the Philippines after studying in Europe, only to find himself embroiled in a web of corruption and abuse of power. Considered a seminal work of Philippine literature, Noli Me Tangere is a scathing critique of the Spanish colonial regime and the Catholic Church.