Influential Spanish Novelists and Their Literary Contributions

Juan Varela:

Growing several genres, but I emphasize his work as a novelist. His work is characterized by the elegance and simplicity of his style and focus, especially in the psychological study of characters, particularly females.

His first major novel, Pepita Jiménez (1874), is written in letters in which the protagonist, a young seminarian, reveals his feelings for Lynette, who is engaged to her father.

Benito Pérez Galdós:

His novels are extensive, and it was Galdós himself who classified them into three groups: national episodes, first-time novels, and contemporary novels.

• Episodios nacionales: There are 46 volumes on the history of Spain during the nineteenth century, including Trafalgar, The May 2, Zaragoza, and more.
• Novels of the first period: These deal with political and religious problems and deepen the psychological study of characters, also reporting the clash between traditional and liberal ideas. Notable works include La Fontana de Oro, Doña Perfecta, Marianela, and The Family of Leon Rocha.
• Contemporary novels: Generally closer to the naturalistic aesthetic, these focus mainly on the description of settings and characters typical of Madrid at the time, such as Fortunata and Jacinta, Misedicordia, The Disinherited, Miau, and Torment.

Leopoldo Alas "Clarín":

His prose can be divided into three groups:

• Articles of literary criticism: Published over various periods, these were later collected in book form under the titles Single of "Clarín" and Paliques. They are appreciated for their high culture and the wisdom of his judgments on writers and works.
• Tales: He published over seventy stories, including Goodbye, Cordera!, Burial of the Sardine, Pipe, and Zurita.
• Novels: His most famous work, and one of the most important in Spanish literature, is The Judge's Wife, written between 1884 and 1885. It provides a detailed analysis of the meticulous, hypocritical, and corrupt environment of the city of Vetusta in which the action unfolds.

Emilia Pardo Bazán:

Her works relate mainly to the naturalistic aesthetic. The diffusion of this movement in Spain is largely due to some articles of this author collected under the title The Question Now, advocating for the adaptation of French naturalism.

One of her favorite themes is to show the contrast between rural and urban areas, introducing characters with aristocratic backgrounds and highlighting the influence that both environments have on their lives.

Some of her most important works include The Tribune, The Mother Nature, and The Manors of Ulloa. The latter is considered the work closest to the naturalistic beauty of Spain.