Doña Perfecta (ePub)

Benito Pérez Galdós (1843-1920) stands as a towering figure in the pantheon of Spanish literature. Born in the Canary Islands, he moved to Madrid at the age of nineteen to embark upon a career in literature and journalism. Pérez Galdós became a prolific novelist and is best known for his two major series: 'Episodios Nacionales', which vividly re-created Spanish history from the Napoleonic Wars to the Restoration, and the 'Novelas españolas contemporáneas', a multilayered portrayal of Spanish society from the 1860s to the early 20th century. Among his individual novels, 'Doña Perfecta' (1876) stands out as a pointed critique of the conflict between progress and tradition, exploring the polarizing effects of religious and ideological fanaticism in a small Spanish town. Galdós's literary style is characterized by realism and social criticism, influenced by his progressive political views and his deep concern for the ethical struggles of his characters. His work is often compared to that of Charles Dickens and Honoré de Balzac for its expansive scope and detailed psychological insight. Galdós was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature on several occasions, and his legacy endures through his substantial contribution to the modern Spanish novel. His masterful storytelling and compassion for the human condition cemented his status as one of Spain's foremost writers.