MADRID

MADRID

Book Summary

In this fundamental work, José Martínez Ruiz, Azorín, offers an intimate and revealing account of what the Generation of '98 was, the environment in which it developed, and his own vision of Spain. Through a journey across the Castilian spirit, local color, and the gravity of the plateau, the author delves into recurring themes of his work: national unity, the relationship with Europe, and the symbolism of Toledo. Madrid is an essential read for understanding the personality and thought of one of the great prose writers of Spanish literature.

What is it about?

The book delves into the essence of the Generation of '98 from the perspective of one of its most prominent members. Azorín not only describes the historical and cultural context of the era but also reflects on the Castilian spirit that permeates his work: asceticism, gravity, and local color. Throughout its pages, the author revisits and underscores key ideas of his thinking, such as the unity of Spain, its relationship with Europe, and the profound significance of cities like Toledo. Through quotes from his previous writings, the text becomes a continuous dialogue with his own trajectory, offering a coherent and mature vision of his literary and intellectual legacy.

Main themes

• The Generation of '98: its origin, context, and main concerns.
• The Castilian spirit: asceticism, gravity, and tradition.
• Local color as a reflection of Spanish identity.
• The unity of Spain and its relationship with Europe.
• The symbolism of Toledo and other cities in Azorín's work.
• The evolution of the author's thought through his own work.

Who is it recommended for?

This book is aimed at students and scholars of Spanish literature, especially those interested in the Generation of '98 and the work of Azorín. It will also be of great value to readers seeking a deep reflection on Spanish identity, local color, and early 20th-century thought. It is an ideal read for those who wish to understand the keys to the Castilian spirit and the intellectual evolution of one of its greatest exponents.

What this book offers

• A first-hand vision of the Generation of '98 from the experience of one of its founding members.
• A synthesis of Azorín's thought, with references to his previous works that allow for following the evolution of his ideas.
• A deep reflection on Spanish identity, local color, and the symbolism of its cities and landscapes.
• A key tool for students and lovers of literature who seek to understand the context and motivations of Azorín's prose.

Technical specifications

• Author: MARTÍNEZ RUIZ, JOSÉ
• Publisher: Biblioteca Nueva
• Language: Spanish
• Topic: Classic texts, literary studies: fiction, novelists and prose writers, modern and contemporary fiction, classic fiction
• Collection: BIB.AZORIN / OSCAR WILDE / BLASCO IBAÑEZ
• Binding: Other
• Publication date: May 2017
• Number of pages: 192
• Weight: 270 g

Editorial review

This edition of Madrid is particularly valuable for its ability to condense the fundamental concerns of Azorín and the Generation of '98. The text, which incorporates quotes from the author's previous works, functions as a sort of intellectual self-portrait that allows the reader to follow the thread of his thought. It is, without a doubt, a reference work for those who wish to delve into the prose and ideology of one of the great names of 20th-century Spanish literature.