Galdós and Clarín architects of the modern novel in Spain

Abstract

This document presents a new edition of Galdós, novelist, by Clarín, coinciding with the rugged commemoration of the centenary of the novelist’s death. Galdós is considered the greatest Spanish novelist of his time and Clarín, a demanding critic. The two authors agree in their in-depth analysis of Spanish society and their attunement to the best European novelists of their time. In addition, they believed that Spain needed a «new novel», in line with the most advanced European trends and that it was a useful tool to analyze the changes that were taking place in Spanish society, denouncing in passing prejudices that hinder its modernization.