José
José, joven y atractivo patrón de pesca, vive en un pueblo marinero de la costa asturiana, donde se gana la vida con su barca y sueña con casarse con Elisa. Pero la madre de la muchacha, la astuta y codiciosa señá Isabel, se opone a la unión mientras José no reúna dinero suficiente. Entre las faenas del mar, las rivalidades del puerto, los temporales que amenazan a los pescadores y las intrigas de la aldea, José lucha con tenacidad por labrarse un porvenir y conquistar a la mujer que ama, enfrentando la pobreza, la envidia ajena y la furia del océano.
Más que una sencilla historia de amor, la novela es un retrato entrañable y realista de la vida de los humildes pescadores asturianos, con sus costumbres, su lenguaje y su dura relación con el mar. Palacio Valdés combina ternura, humor y aguda observación social para ensalzar la dignidad del trabajo, la honradez y la perseverancia frente a la avaricia. Su prosa luminosa y sus vivas descripciones del paisaje cantábrico convierten esta breve obra en uno de los testimonios más hermosos del costumbrismo regional español.
How it begins
The present text was chosen for an annotated edition as being both good literature and good material for learning Spanish. It is hoped that the experience of those who may use the book will justify the choice. It is intended more particularly to follow the study of a reader or its equivalent; but there is no reason why it should not adapt itself to other stages of Spanish study, according as longer or shorter recitations are assigned, and more or less aid given by the instructor. The purpose of the introduction is simply to "introduce" the student to the author and his work, to convey some idea of their importance and to incite to further acquaintance with both. Nevertheless I believe that scholars will welcome the new information on the life of Sr. Valdés. The text is that of the sole Spanish edition (Madrid, 1885), the new edition in the Obras Completas now in course of publication not having yet appeared. I have, however, beside correction of errata, changed two words and omitted ten to better adapt the text for class use. In the notes I have aimed to explain all serious difficulties. With their aid and that of grammar and dictionary the student should be able to present a correct translation.
Text from Project Gutenberg, public domain.