La Familia de Léon Roch


Book Description




Nazarin


Book Description

Father Nazario Zajarín leads a life of uncompromised humility, loving others and living among the poorest citizens. Life changes for the pious protagonist when his forgiveness extends to sinners that pull Nazarín over to the other side of the law in the eyes of society. Scorned, mocked, and spurned by others, his faith is tested and his bond with the Catholic Church is broken when he rejects political dogma. A tightly written story about living in the trenches of society's shortcomings, the book is an insightful challenge of religion under late 19th-century Spanish rule worthy of inclusion in moral discussions still today.




Halma


Book Description

Annotation Galdós' early writings were inspired by the French writer Emile Zola, a practitioner of the literary school of naturalism. This interest then turned to a type of spiritual naturalism under the influence of Russian writers, including Tolstoy, Dostoevsky and Turgenev, whom he called his 'great teacher.' One of his most important works during this period was 'Halma', the story of an aristocratic lady who decides to use her inheritance to found an idyllic Christian society for the sick and the needy. This book examines Galdós' influential novel.