Noli Me Tangere is a novel written by José Rizal, and published in 1887, in Europe. The name is Latin, and means "touch me not." Rizal took these words from the Bible, specifically the Gospel of St. John 20: 13-17. This was his first novel. He was 26 at that time.

This book was historically significant and was instrumental in the creation of the Philippines. The book indirectly influenced a revolution although the author, Jose Rizal, advocated a non-violent means and only direct representation to the Spanish government. The novel was written in Spanish, the language of the educated at that time…”

Rizal started his novel in Madrid, Spain. Half was done by the time he left for Paris, and it was completed in Berlin, Germany.

The novel creates so much controversy that only a few days after his arrival, Governor General Terrero received him at the Malacañang Palace and told him of the charges saying that the Noli was full of subversive ideas. After a discussion, the liberal Governor General was appeased; but he mentioned that he was unable to offer resistance against the pressure of the church to take action against the book..."

This novel and its sequel, El Filibusterismo, were banned in the Philippines because of their exposure and portrayal of the corruption and abuse of the of the country's Spanish government and clergy...Copies were smuggled in nevertheless and when Rizal returned to the Philippines after completing medical studies, he quickly ran afoul of the local government. First exiled to Mindanao, he was later unjustly arrested for "inciting rebellion" based largely on his writings. He was executed in Manila in 1896. He was only thirty-five.

The book was instrumental in creating a racial Filipino identity and consciousness as many Filipinos identified with their respective regions to the advantage of the Spanish authorities. It lampooned, caricatured and exposed various elements in the colonial society.