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Miguel de Unamuno’s Saint Manuel Bueno, Martyr is an existentialist novella originally written in 1931. As a renowned Spanish philosopher, educator, author, and intellectual, Unamuno infused the narrative with his deep philosophical reflections and personal struggles. His career included a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Madrid, as well as roles as a professor of Greek literature and a university rector.
The novel showcases Unamuno’s exploration of the tensions between intellect and emotion, as well as faith and reason, marking his early contributions to existential philosophy. The “nivola,” a term Unamuno devised for his work, highlights the spiritual and ideological struggles of the characters, making plot and traditional narrative techniques less important. This method gives the story a dreamlike, symbolic depth, centering on the characters’ existential and spiritual dilemmas instead of concrete events. The thematic core of the novel revolves around The Tragedy of Consciousness, The Utility and Morality of Deception, and Saintliness, Legacy, and Mortality.
This guide refers to the 2009 Oxbow Books edition, translated by Paul Burns and Salvador Ortiz-Carboneres. The original Spanish title of the book is San Manuel Bueno, mártir, and another common translation is Saint Emmanuel the Good, Martyr.
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