A modern English translation of Benito Pérez Galdós’s heartbreaking classic—perfect for fans of tragic romance, character-driven historical fiction, and literary rediscoveries.

When blind nobleman Pablo learns he may soon regain his sight, his devoted companion Marianela begins to fear the truth: that love may not survive the light of day.

Marianela is the poignant story of a girl the world has cast aside—an orphaned outcast living in poverty in a remote Spanish mining town. The only person who sees value in her is Pablo, who cannot see at all. To him, Marianela is beauty, kindness, and warmth. But when surgery offers him the chance to see again, Marianela must confront her deepest insecurities—and the cruel truths of a society obsessed with appearances.

This faithful modern English translation preserves the full spirit and lyricism of Galdós’s 1878 original, making it accessible to contemporary readers without losing the richness of its 19th-century Spanish roots. A powerful exploration of class, beauty, and emotional isolation, Marianela is a forgotten gem of European literature, now restored for a new generation.

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Translated by Eleanor Montfield

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