La Regenta
La Regenta
Book Brief
736
Novel • Fiction
Vetusta, Spain • 19th century
1884
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
La Regenta by Leopoldo Alas is a realist novel set in the fictional city of Vetusta, following Ana "La Regenta" Ozores, who marries the older Victor Quintanar but finds her marriage unfulfilling. She starts an affair with Alvaro Mesia, a local womanizer, which leads to complications when cleric D. Fermin de Pas also falls for her. This love entanglement, set against the backdrop of 19th-century Spanish society, ultimately leads to tragedy and social fallout. The book portrays distressing themes such as infidelity, manipulation, and societal exile.
Melancholic
Contemplative
Romantic
Mysterious
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Leopoldo Alas' La Regenta, a cornerstone of Spanish realist literature, garners acclaim for its intricate character development and vivid portrayal of 19th-century provincial life. Critics commend its depth and narrative complexity, though some note its dense, slow-paced prose as a hurdle. Overall, a rewarding read for those appreciating rich, detailed storytelling and social critique.
Who Should Read La Regenta?
Readers who appreciate the intricate social critique and rich character development in works like Madame Bovary and Anna Karenina will enjoy Leopoldo Alas's La Regenta. This novel appeals to those interested in 19th-century Spanish literature, exploring themes of passion, morality, and societal norms within a provincial setting.
La Regenta, written by Leopoldo Alas, was published in 1884–1885 and is considered a masterpiece of Spanish literature, often compared to Gustave Flaubert's Madame Bovary.
Set in the fictional town of Vetusta, which is a thinly veiled depiction of Oviedo, the novel is known for its detailed examination of social and political aspects of a provincial 19th-century Spanish society.
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Leopoldo Alas, who wrote under the pseudonym "Clarín," was a notable Spanish writer and critic renowned for his contributions to realism in Spanish literature.
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736
Novel • Fiction
Vetusta, Spain • 19th century
1884
Adult
18+ years
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