44 pages • 1 hour read
Marianela
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Book Brief
130
Novel • Fiction
Spain • 1860s
1878
Adult
15-18 years
Super Short Summary
In Marianela by Benito Pérez Galdós, Teodoro Golfín arrives in Villamojada to help cure Pablo Penáguilas's blindness. Along the way, he meets Pablo's companion, Nela, who fears that Pablo will reject her once he gains sight. Meanwhile, plans for Pablo's marriage to his beautiful cousin Florentina unfold, causing Nela deep distress and leading to a confrontation with her insecurities and desires.
Melancholic
Emotional
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Romantic
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Benito Perez Galdos' Marianela is lauded for its poignant exploration of class and beauty through rich, emotional storytelling. Readers praise its touching character development and vivid descriptions. However, some critics find its pacing uneven. Overall, it remains a compelling study of human nature and social contrasts.
Who Should Read Marianela?
Readers who enjoy Marianela by Benito Pérez Galdós typically appreciate realistic, character-driven narratives that explore social issues and human emotions deeply. Fans of Les Misérables by Victor Hugo and Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky may find this novel particularly engaging due to its similar thematic concerns and dramatic intensity.
Pablo Penáguilas
Pablo Penáguilas
A twenty-year-old blind man with a wealthy father who strives to provide the best care. His understanding of beauty is deeply influenced by Nela, his companion, as he awaits a potential surgical cure.
Teodoro Golfín
Teodoro Golfín
A respected eye doctor from Spain and the Americas who visits the mines of Socrates. Known for his kindness and previous struggles with poverty, he plays a crucial role in the narrative concerning Pablo's blindness.
Florentina de Penáguilas
Florentina de Penáguilas
A relative of Pablo's, arranged to marry him due to familial interests in material wealth. Distinguished by her divine beauty and compassion towards Nela, Florentina holds views sympathetic to the poor.
Celipin Centeno
Celipin Centeno
The youngest child of the Centeno family, characterized by his aspirations beyond the mines. He seeks education and self-improvement, inspired by Teodoro's success, with Nela's secret support.
130
Novel • Fiction
Spain • 1860s
1878
Adult
15-18 years
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