María Isabel Jiménez Morales y Amparo Quiles Faz (eds.). “Fiestas andaluzas. Antología de textos costumbristas”. Renacimiento: Sevilla, 2008, 370 pp.

Abstract

The reviewed book is an anthology of a specific literary genre: costumbrism. Specifically, it focuses on the costumbrist books of Andalusia in the 19th century, with the aim of profiling the society and culture of that community at that time. The volume is made up of a vast hemerographic documentation: books, magazines, brochures, etc. In addition to the precise contextualization of the genre in Andalusia, the characteristics of costumbrism are highlighted, which, in addition, was for many writers the genre with which they began their profession, since it is based on describing the closest reality, with its traditions and customs. In the introduction, the editors explain the definition of costumbrism, the elaboration of its anthology, the established order of the texts and the presentation of the twenty-four authors they mention. The entire book shows a detailed search for information and excellent clarity in the explanations, as well as providing great data on Spanish costumbrism.