The Woman Who Had Two Navels and Tales of the Tropical Gothic [English, Softbound]

Nick Joaquin—National Artist of the Philippines and one of the country’s most important literary voices—created some of the defining works of Filipino literature. The Woman Who Had Two Navels follows Connie Escobar, a woman convinced she has two navels. Her search for answers unravels a painful family secret, pushing her from Manila to Hong Kong as she confronts illusions, history, and identity. Sharp, haunting, and deeply Filipino, it remains one of Joaquin’s most influential novels.

This product page offers two editions of the same classic, depending on how you want to read it:

1. Penguin Classics Edition

A comprehensive U.S. release that includes The Woman Who Had Two Navels plus Joaquin’s essential short stories, essays, and a play. With a foreword by Gina Apostol and an introduction by Vicente L. Rafael, this edition provides rich historical and literary context.

2. Philippines Anvil Edition

A Philippine release focused on the novel itself—ideal if you want a clean, direct reading of Connie Escobar’s story without the additional collected works.

Why Readers Love It

✔ Explores Filipino identity, memory, and colonial history
✔ A landmark novel by a National Artist
✔ Choose between a full collection (Penguin) or the standalone Philippine edition (Anvil)

A foundational work for anyone interested in Philippine literature and culture.