Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

Welcome to our third quarter hefty read Fortunata and Jacinta by Benito Pérez Galdós! The book tells mainly the story of two women of different classes. Both of them are connected by one man, and both suffer through him.
Through this story Benito Pérez Galdós brings to life 19th-century Spanish society, exposing the women's position, class differences, and other social, personal, and psychological aspects of the time. The realistic depiction of Spanish life with strong criticism on the Spanish middle class, and the frank reference to sexuality received both praise and condemnation at the time of its publication. Today, it is considered a masterpiece of Spanish fiction.

Benito Pérez Galdós (May 10, 1843 - January 4, 1920) was a Spanish realist novelist. He was one of the leading figures in 19th Century Spain and is regarded by some as only second to Miguel de Cervantes. Galdos was a prolific writer who published 31 novels, 46 historical fiction, 23 plays, 20 volumes of short fiction, etc. Fortunata and Jacinta is considered as his best work.

I'm waiting for my copy to come in. Ordered last week, according to tracking info, it's been sitting in the main Secaucus PO for a week.

It's in my AND list but I don't have the bandwidth to read it. I look forward to following the thoughts of the group in anticipation of my eventual read.

Gilbert, I'm crossing my fingers for you. I hope it comes soon. I am really enjoying it.

I like this much more than Cervantes!!!! Of course each of us are different....

I don't know Spanish and have never visited the country. This iss totally new ground for me. Regardless, the author makes these people and their lives figures I can relate despite that they are very different from me.

Character portrayal is strong. Although there are many characters, attention is given to each so you do not confuse who is who.

I am often smiling. The lines are chockful of humor, mot the LOL type, but more subtle. The dialogue is excellent.

Overall, it is a cheerful book with characters who despite having faults you end up liking--at least I do!

Mike wrote: "It's in my AND list but I don't have the bandwidth to read it. I look forward to following the thoughts of the group in anticipation of my eventual read."

I can say right now, don't put it aside too long. I knew nothing about this author and that is a huge mistake.

I am thankful to the group for suggesting this read.

I'm glad you're enjoying the book, Chrissy. I won't be reading it at present, no time plus I seem unable to find a Kindle or audio. But it'll be in my TBR for a future time.

Piyangie wrote: "I'm glad you're enjoying the book, Chrissy. I won't be reading it at present, no time plus I seem unable to find a Kindle or audio. But it'll be in my TBR for a future time."

I am so impressed. I want others to know of it.

I looked today to see if I could get more by the author but this is the sole one available! I am reading it in Swedish and still I am impressed. The translator has done a good job.

Chrissie, this group read another by this author Tristana and everyone, including me, seemed to like it. Here's the discussion thread, but be wary of spoilers especially in the last several posts that discuss the ending: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Prolific GR reader/reviewer Hugh describes it as: "a curious mixture - a classic novel in style with some rather modern attitudes, especially for a book written in the nineteenth century. There are three main characters. Don Lope is an ageing seducer with a diminishing fortune. Tristana is the orphaned daughter of his best friend who he is supposedly caring for and Horacio is her charismatic and apparently altruistic lover."

I think Rosemarie and Kathy also really enjoyed it. It might be a good choice as your second Galdos novel if it ever comes out in a language and audio format you can listen to. This is my review of it: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Brian thank you. I've added it to my TBR list. Maybe sometime it will become available.

My review (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) of Fortunata and Jacinta which I love. I gave it five stars! Ratings so high are unusual for me.

That's high praise, Chrissie. I'm so glad that it turned out to be a great read for you.

I must thank the group for bringing it to my attention!!!!! Thank you to all the group's moderators!

Chrissie wrote: "My review (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) of Fortunata and Jacinta which I love. I gave it five stars! Ratings so high are unusual for me."

Great review. I have order the book from my bookstore. Looking forward reading this.

You're welcome, Chrissie!

Lorraine, I get nervous when people order books because I loved the book a lot. It is hard to advise others. In my reviews I simply express how books affect ME! I hope you love it.

Rosemarie wrote: "You're welcome, Chrissie!"

For me it was so amazing because it made Spain, which is completely foreign to me, into a place inhabited by people I could relate to, despite that they are very different from me. It is harder to relate to what you have no ties to.

The novel finally arrived today and will start reading as soon as I can squeeze it into my schedule.

Chrissie wrote: "Lorraine, I get nervous when people order books because I loved the book a lot. It is hard to advise others. In my reviews I simply express how books affect ME! I hope you love it."

A good review, is for me, one good reason I will try a book to see if it will make me feel the same as the other reader. That is the pleasure of a buddy read! I am still waiting for my copy but I will for sure let you know what I think and feel as soon as I can start the book.

Gilbert wrote: "The novel finally arrived today and will start reading as soon as I can squeeze it into my schedule."

Glad it finally arrived--If you are like me, you are going to be pleased. Hours of happy reading are wonderful--which is one reason why long books are so good.

Lorraine, yeah, one wonders if you'll react the same! One never knows. Hope it comes soon.

Chrissie wrote: "Gilbert wrote: "The novel finally arrived today and will start reading as soon as I can squeeze it into my schedule."

Glad it finally arrived--If you are like me, you are going to be pleased. Hour..."

The long -huge novels are the ones I usually gravitate towards, which is why I am doing a personal read of Sir Charles Grandison(1646 pages) and War and Peace(1424 pages).
By the way, Chrissie, read you enjoyable review, so looking forward to getting started.

Gilbert, I prefer long books. You can be sort of swallowed up by them: they put you in another world. That is nice you liked my review. Thank you.

Chrissie wrote: "Gilbert, I prefer long books. You can be sort of swallowed up by them: they put you in another world. That is nice you liked my review. Thank you."

I keep an Excel spreadsheet of books I own and from that I've put on a separate list 73 novels over 700 pages. I'd share it but it won't fit here.

Gilbert, your excel arc is smart. I keep copies of all my reviews in my computer. If a book is more than 500 pages, I add the word long into the name. This way I can get a list......if I should want to. Everything on the computer s harder and harder for me doe to my worsening vision. I really don't worry about this. I read for enjoyment. I'm happy when reading a book I'm enjoying. And I know by now that I prefer LONG well written books over shorter ones.

Sorry to hear about your vision issue. I do understand what it means.

Well, I finally finished this hefty. I felt it a crashing bore and would not and could not recommend this.