Necessary Fictions: Philippine Literature and the Nation, 1946-1980

Examines the connection between literature and nationalist discourse during the postwar period. Through close readings of the works of Jose Rizal, Amado Hernandez, Nick Joaquin, Edgardo Reyes, Ricardo Lee, Kerima Polotan, Carlos Bulosan, and Mano de Verdades Posadas, argues that the long-standing affinity between Philippine literature and nationalism is based, in part, on the power of literature to formulate and work through questions central to nationalist debates on the possibility and necessity of social change.

Published in 2000. Winner, 2000 National Book Award, for Literary Criticism.