F. Sionil Jose Quotes

Philippines, Writer
December 3, 1924

Francisco Sionil José (born 3 December 1924) 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. José's works—written in English—have been translated into 28 languages, including Korean, Indonesian, Czech, Russian, Latvian, Ukrainian and Dutch.

Also known as Novelist, Journalist

At 86, I can easily look back to the last eight decades. Though memory often fails me now, so many images of the past are still clearly polished, and I can yet recall not just an abiding sense of place, but the keen smells, the sensory responses to the events of that past.

F. Sionil Jose
- Place
- Sense
- Memory
I tell young people who ask me about a future in writing not to go into it unless they get married to someone rich.

F. Sionil Jose
- People
- Writing
- Future

In the Western tradition, the first writers were teachers and historians, vastly traveled, who spiced their reports with fantasies. They were also poets who sang and entertained prince and pauper.

F. Sionil Jose
- First
- Prince
- Tradition