Plot Summary:

Jack Henson, a divorced, 42-year old American emigrant, struggled to expose

the truth concerning the inexplicable death of Nenita Coogan, a typical teenager who
had been hated by many because of being so talkative, and the daughter of his ex-wife
Alfreda Coogan.
The girl’s corpse was found naked yet aromatic in a cave. Jack investigated how
the body got inside the cave even if the cave’s entrance is sealed and had been closed
to the public as instructed by Pocholo Gatmaitan, the town mayor. He soon finds out a
secret route in the chapel of the village where the cave is located, most likely that secret
passage was the way Nenita used to entered the cave, and non might been used by the
murderer.
His investigation made him concluded, at first, that it was Alex Manzano, his old
friend was behind the murder. However, as the circumstances start to upsurge, his
friend Alex, and Andrei died, Alex’ son.
Potcholo keenly did giving Jack the proof that it was him who was really behind
the murder, and all the troubles that occurred. Then, Potcholo ran away after he was
exposed.
Moreover, Hermana, the leader of the cult that claims the cave as their holy
place, tell Jack that Nenita herself spoke to her saying that she died with love which she
found out inside the cave where in the goddesses of the cave bestow her, she has been
awake when Pocholo carried her in the cave and she found the cave bright and fragrant
and the goddess offered to her that if she wanted to stay she could stay forever in the
cave with the goddess or she could also went out to the world where she always run
away and hurt by the people around her and Nenita just decided to stay, also the
Hermana said that Nenita came back to life as a goddess to touch his life.
Opinion or Reaction (Literary Criticism):

This novel, Cave and shadows, as expected, because of its author that is known
as the most mystical Filipino writer, had a touch of supernatural things. Regardless of
that, the novel appeared very interesting and knowledgeable. Its plot is well-developed,
although it’s subplot about the equality of man and woman, turn up to divert the flow of
the story. The characters were clearly introduced, and had their own key part; also, the
way that Nick Joaquin illustrated the setting helps to envision the comings and goings
visibly.

Likewise, the baffling death of Nenita Coogan and how Jack Henson struggled to
reveal the truth behind it, made the story imperceptible, and that render us to be
engrossed deeply in the story. In addition, the subject matter and other issues that had
been embark upon the story help out to fascinate readers, for the reason that it is one of
the predicaments that had been stumble upon by our society at some point before.

When all’s said and done, the novel is excellent and erudite. It doesn’t only deal
with mystery and fantasy, but also, the actual deeds in our country and its natives,
which finished the story worthwhile and significant.