Saragossa: A Story of Spanish Valor

Saragossa: A Story of Spanish Valor

"Saragossa" is the sixth volume in the brilliant series of historical novels by B. Prez Galds, which begins with "Trafalgar" and closes with "The Battle of the Arapiles," embracing "The Court of Carlos IV," "Gerona," and "Napoleon in Chamartin." B. Prez Galds, possibly known best in the United States as the author of "Doa Perfecta," may be called the Walter Scott of Spain. He is, however, truer to history than Scott, and the characters he creates move in an atmosphere of reality rather than romance. "Saragossa" is one of the most powerful, impressive, and popular of the twenty novels wherein he tells the gallant story of his native land. This tale of the second siege of the ancient Aragon city by the generals of Napoleon is a work of art, one that stirs the blood with admiration of the indomitable valor of the Spaniards; yet is it not also a document of special pleading for the world's peace? "Saragossa" ranks with Tolstoi's "War and Peace," and Zola's "La Dbcle," among great dramatic war novels. Herein also are at least three of the best drawn[Pg vi] characters in international literature,the masterly miser Candiola, his beautiful daughter Mariquilla, and that valiant and lovable citizen, Don Jos de Montoria. Manuela Sancho appears as a minor character, the "Maid of Saragossa" whose bravery is honored in a street named for her in her native city. She is a type of the daughters of Saragossa, for more than one of them, in the exaltation of the terrific struggle against the French, extended their patriotic services beyond those gentle ones usual to women in besieged cities, rallying soldiers and serving guns. The events leading up to the siege of Saragossa are a part of the history of Spain in her struggle for continued national existence against the encroachments of Napoleon. Although it was national warfare, each province and strong provincial city made its own individual stand. Therefore words like those quoted on a preceding page from Napier's "Peninsular War" have an especial significance. The English general's words are doubly striking when read in connection with these of Galds, "Men of little sensewithout any on occasionthe Spanish to-day, as ever, make a thousand blunders, stumbling and rising in the struggle of their inborn vices with the eminent qualities which they still preserve. Providence[Pg vii] holds in store for this people great advancings and abasements, great terrors and surprises, apparent deaths and mighty resurrections." ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 47769
Author: Pérez Galdós, Benito
Release Date: Dec 24, 2014
Format: eBook
Language: English

Contributors

Translator: Smith, Minna Caroline, 1860-1929