La Gaviota: A Spanish novel

La Gaviota: A Spanish novel

GAVIOTA (sea-gull) is the sobriquet which Andalusians give to harsh-tongued, flighty women of unsympathetic mien and manners; and such was applied to the heroine of this tale by a youthful, malicious tormentorMomo. Fernan Caballero is, indeed, but a pseudonym: the author of this novel, passing under that name, is understood to be a lady, partly of German descent. Her father was Don Juan Nicholas Bhl de Faber, to whose erudition Spain is indebted for a collection of ancient poetry. Cecelia, the daughter of Bhl de Faber, was born at Morges, in Switzerland, in 1797, and subsequently married to a Spanish gentleman. Indeed, since the death of her first husband, she has successively contracted two other marriages, and is now a widow. We have it on the authority of the Edinburgh Review, that the novels of this gifted authoress were published at the expense of the Queen. The same authority remarks, Hence it might have been foretold, that of the various kinds of novels, the romantic and descriptive was the least repugnant to the old Spanish spirit; and that in order for a writer successfully to undertake such a novel, it would be necessary for him to have a passionate attachment to the national manners and characteristics, and a corresponding dislike to the foreign and newsuch are the qualities we find united in Fernan Caballero: La Gaviota is perhaps the finest story in the volumes. Its advent is a real literary event: the most severe critics have dissected this new work, and have unhesitatingly proclaimed the authoress to be the Spanish Walter Scott. Among the painters of manners, the best, without doubt, are the Spanish writers. We are certain to find there truth, joined to a richness and piquancy of details; and, above all, a spirited tone, which singularly heightens and sets off their recitals. They have, however, what in us is a defect, but with them a natural giftthe being a little prolix. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 48698
Author: Caballero, Fernán
Release Date: Apr 13, 2015
Format: eBook
Language: English

Contributors

Translator: Starr, J. Leander (John Leander), 1802-