Description
THE CITY OF MADRID
Book Summary
In this work, Miguel de Unamuno offers a personal and profound reflection on the city of Madrid, describing it as a vast encampment of a people with nomadic instincts. The author explores the duality between courtliness and the authentic simplicity of the old Castilian, revealing a city that, despite its constant bustle, guards a singular essence. Through incisive prose, Unamuno invites the reader to discover Madrid not as a monumental city, but as a space where the ephemeral meets the eternal, and anonymity meets tradition.
What is it about?
Unamuno portrays Madrid as a place where dreaming becomes impossible due to the incessant flow of unknown faces, carriages, streetcars, and automobiles. The city is presented as a great "viloria" (large town), where Castilian authenticity blends with courtly artificiality. The author does not limit himself to describing the urban landscape; rather, he analyzes the character of its inhabitants and the social dynamics that define the Spanish capital. It is a work that combines sociological observation, cultural criticism, and philosophical introspection, offering a unique vision of Madrid at the beginning of the 20th century.
Main themes
- The nomadic identity of the Madrilenian people and their relationship with urban space.
- The tension between traditional Castilian simplicity and the courtly artificiality of life in the capital.
- Anonymity and loneliness in a city in constant motion and transformation.
- The impossibility of introspection and dreaming in an environment dominated by bustle and the flow of strangers.
- A reflection on the essence of Madrid as a microcosm of Spain.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is ideal for readers interested in philosophical and literary essays about cities, for scholars of Unamuno's work, and for those who wish to understand the soul of Madrid from a critical and personal perspective. It is also recommended for lovers of Spanish and Portuguese literature, given this Portuguese edition, and for travelers seeking a deep and unconventional look at the Spanish capital.
What this book contributes
- An original and provocative vision of Madrid, far from traditional tourist guides.
- A philosophical reflection on urban life, identity, and modernity.
- An opportunity to encounter the thought of Miguel de Unamuno, one of the great intellectuals of the 20th century.
- A short and intense read that invites a new way of looking at cities.
Technical specifications
- Author: Miguel de Unamuno
- Publisher: Casimiro
- Language: Portuguese
- Collection: Casimiro en Portuges
- Publication date: October 2026
- Number of pages: 104
- Weight: 150 g
Editorial review
This Portuguese edition of "The City of Madrid" offers the Lusophone reader the opportunity to access a fundamental text by Unamuno, which combines essay, chronicle, and personal reflection. The work stands out for its ability to capture the essence of a city in transformation, making it relevant both to scholars of literature and to any reader interested in thinking about urban space critically. The Casimiro edition, with its careful presentation, makes this book a valuable addition to personal and academic libraries.