Tristana [1892/2014] – ★★★★1/2

“…the young woman had
her own ideas, hurling herself into the empty spaces of thought and
displaying the boldest of aspirations…” [Benito Pérez Galdós, Margaret Jull Costa, NYRB Classics, 1892/2014].

Don Lope Garrido was a man already past a certain age when he took under his wing the daughter of his friend, who died in bankruptcy. The girl, Tristana, found herself orphaned, penniless and facing a sorrowful fate – but she did not realise it back then. Don Lope took advantage of pristine, innocent Tristana and started living with her as his wife, without marrying the girl, of course, and Tristana’s gradual re-awakening to her plight forms part of this Madrid tale, which at first looks like a simple tale of female emancipation, but soon transforms into something more thought-provoking – a “circular” story of rising hopes and dreams, and the final resignation.

Continue reading “Mini-Review: Tristana by Benito Pérez Galdós” →