Three Exemplary Novels

Unamuno was a genius who is underrated as a thinker, philosopher, author, and political critic. His use of the novella as a vehicle for his philosophy and existential thought should put him in every discussion about the likes of Albert Camus, Jean-Paul Sarte, Martin Heidigger, and Soren Kierkegaard. These three novellas give us a view, not only of the Spanish mind, but also of what a serious, learned man (who was incidentally Basque) could see as flaws and existential dilemmas in Spanish as well as European culture. Each of the three novellas give insight into the gender roles of men and women in turn of the century Spanish society as well as very real issues of what a man or women should be in a world where title, pride and wealth seem to be more important than acting in an ethical manner.

In the prologue to this trio of novellas, Unamuno declares that the work might be more aptly dubbed "four exemplary novels." "For this prologue is also a novel... the novel of my novels," he adds. And, indeed, I believe him. The prologue itself is wildly entertaining and, by far, the most striking segment of the piece. In some fifteen pages, Unamuno presents hilarious, yet profound (as is his custom -- I love that about him) commentary on the novel as artform and ontological playground. The three stories that follow are all gripping in their own ways. Dos Madres is an Unamunian version of the tale of King Solomon and the bickering mothers. El Marques de Lumbria presents the story of an isolated household that is somewhat reminiscent of Lorca's The House of Bernarda Alba. Nada Menos que Todo Un Hombre stars Alejandro, a tough guy, a regular Alexander the Great, who isn't really as strong as he appears. All of the novels are tied together by a common thread of power play and self-doubt among their characters. And the result is a cohesive bundle of words that is truly exemplary.