| Author |
Pérez Galdós, Benito, 1843-1920 |
| Title |
Bailén
|
| Note |
Reading ease score: 59.8 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read.
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| Credits |
E-text prepared by Miranda van de Heijning and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team
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| Summary |
"Bailén" by Benito Pérez Galdós is a historical novel written during the late 19th century. Set against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars, the narrative explores themes of patriotism and the struggles of the Spanish people during the French invasion, highlighting the emotional and societal upheaval of the period. The story is introduced through the perspectives of various characters, including the spirited old soldier Don Santiago, who passionately argues against the inevitability of French dominion, and the enigmatic D. Luis de Santorcaz, who has his own background and intentions interwoven throughout the tale. The opening of "Bailén" presents a lively dinner conversation among characters at a modest residence, where they discuss their experiences and opinions regarding the ongoing war. The dialogue introduces Don Santiago, a former military man who expresses vehement patriotic sentiments and reminisces about his past campaigns, contrasting sharply with Santorcaz's more cynical views. Amidst this riveting exchange, we also meet the supportive yet humorously critical D.ª Gregoria, who lightens the mood with her quick wit. Interspersed with memories of battles and humorous anecdotes, the characters' discussions reveal the broader context of Spanish resistance to French invaders, setting the stage for individual and collective dramas that will unfold as the story progresses. This engaging opening not only establishes the tone and character dynamics but also foreshadows the challenges and heroism that lie ahead in the fight for Spain's identity and autonomy. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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| Language |
Spanish |
| LoC Class |
PQ: Language and Literatures: Romance literatures: French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese
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| Subject |
Bailén, Battle of, Bailén, Spain, 1808 -- Fiction
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| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
14311 |
| Release Date |
Dec 9, 2004 |
| Most Recently Updated |
Dec 18, 2020 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
87 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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