Rice (novel)

Rice is a 1934 social realist novel by Filipino author Manuel Arguilla. The novel depicts the harsh realities of peasant life in the Philippines, focusing on the struggles of tenant farmers and their families against exploitative landlords and the unpredictable forces of nature. It explores themes of poverty, injustice, social inequality, and the enduring spirit of the Filipino peasantry. The story primarily centers around a farming family and their community, detailing their daily lives, their relationships with each other, and their constant battle for survival amidst economic hardship and environmental challenges. Arguilla's work is known for its vivid portrayals of rural Filipino life and its sympathetic depiction of the marginalized.