Doņa Perfecta

Perez Galdos, Benito; Tulloch, A. R. (tr)

ISBN 10: 1861591322 / ISBN 13: 9781861591326

Published by Phoenix House, London, 1999

About this Item

Pages crisp and clean except for a pencil ghost on the first page; spine square and uncreased, soft cover only gently shelf-rubbed at bottom edges and corners, otherwise excellent. Seller Inventory # 063364

Bibliographic Details

Title: Doņa Perfecta

Publisher: Phoenix House, London

Publication Date: 1999

Binding: Paperback

Condition: Very Good

About this title

Synopsis:

Doņa Perfecta, the classic of Spanish literature, is presented here in its original language.

First published in 1876, the novel is a strong representation of the realist genre which came to prominence during the late 19th century. The entire plot takes place in Spain, where Don José Rey - commonly known as Pepe - journeys to a Catholic cathedral in the city of Orbajosa. It is his intention to wed his cousin Rosario; at first, we understand that the marriage is merely one of convenience, orchestrated by Pepe's father and aunt.

However the plot thickens when Pepe truly falls for Rosario, and the Cathedral Canon, Don Inocencio, begins to meddle in the union...

Valuable for providing a context of everyday life in nineteenth century Spain, we witness a society where the Catholic church continues to wield great power and influence in everyday affairs. This, in a country where conjugal traditions and religious observance held great importance and sway over the everyday lives of many. The emergence of a more socially liberal, urban outlook in the city of Madrid is also charted as contrasting the conservative rural areas; trends which continue to offer relevance in the modern day.