However, we do know that Rizal was an avid reader and was exposed to various literature throughout his life. It's likely that his favorite novels changed over time as his literary tastes evolved.
Some of the authors and novels that are known to have influenced Rizal include:
* William Shakespeare: Rizal admired Shakespeare's works, especially his tragedies.
* Miguel de Cervantes: Rizal was influenced by *Don Quixote*, Cervantes's masterpiece.
* Victor Hugo: Rizal appreciated Hugo's novels, such as *Les Misérables*, for their social commentary.
* Alexandre Dumas: Rizal enjoyed Dumas's adventurous novels, like *The Count of Monte Cristo*.
While we don't know his first favorite, we can be sure that Rizal's reading greatly shaped his own writing and his fight for Philippine independence.