Abel Sanchez and Other Stories
Select Format
Select Condition 
Book Overview
Delve into three of Spanish philosopher Miguel de Unamuno's most haunting parables. This essential Unamuno reader begins with the full-length novel Abel Sanchez , a modern retelling of the story of Cain and Abel. Also included are two remarkable short stories, The Madness of Doctor Montarco and San Manuel Bueno, Martyr , featuring quixotic, philosophically existential characters confronted by the dull ache of modernity. Translated by Anthony Kerrigan and with an insightful introduction by Mario J. Valdes
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0895267071
ISBN13:9780895267078
Release Date:September 1996
Publisher:Gateway Editions
Length:267 Pages
Weight:0.75 lbs.
Dimensions:0.9" x 5.4" x 8.3"
Customer Reviews
5 ratings
In the land of the blind, the 1-eyed man is....compassionate
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 20 years ago
Some thirty years ago, I read, in Spanish, the novella "San Manuel Bueno, martyr", included in this collection. This week I read it again. As a young man, to me it seemed that San Manuel had dishonestly misled the devout peasants of his isolated village. At nearly age 60, I now accept my own foibles and those of others, so I can see that San Manuel had found perhaps the only compassionate solution to the dilemma of his own clear vision surrounded by the benighted -- and sacrificed himself to it. As I write this review, in 2004, we are spectators to a world torn by conflict between devout fanatics. Does Unamuno's solution hold in a world where such devout believers burst forth from their villages to inflame the world in the name of their narrow beliefs?
moving reflections on art and faith
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 22 years ago
These three stories, in addition to being a great read, really moved me. Yet I can't fully pin point why I enjoyed this collection so much. Maybe it was Miguel de Unamuno's unique background as a Christian existentialist writing in the early twentieth century. Maybe it was the influence of cubism on his approach to these three stories. Perhaps it was just the stories themselves; I really grew attached to these characters and the subject matter. Abel Sanchez and The Madness of Doctor Mantarco are great reflections on art (and these stories are adequately discussed in other reviews) but my personal favorite was San Manuel Bueno, Martyr. The story about a well respected priest who no longer believes in God sounds cliche, Miguel de Unamuno writes it in a way that is heartbreakingly tragic. Because the story moved me on a decidedly personal level, it's hard for me to recommend this book with certainty: how am I to know whether it's true art, or whether it's a novel I happened to just particularly like? Still, I can speak for myself: Abel Sanchez and Other Stories is an impeccable piece of literature.
Christian existentialism
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 22 years ago
..and other themes are treated in this volume. Abel Sanchez, the title narrative, is an incredible reterlling of the Biblical story of Cain and Abel. Unamuno is able to interweave christian faith and spanish culturalism in order to create a morally compelling story. This collection has had a profound influence on me. I highly recommend it if you are interested in Christianity, Spanish literature, or even good literature.
Masterpiece of Latin American Literature
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
Miguel De Unamuno uses his two lead characters Abel Sanchez and Joaquin Monegro along with more than enough biblical metaphors to tell this wonderful story. This is possibly one of the best books I have ever read and if you are an avid Latin American Literature aficionado as I am, I highly recommend this gem of a book.
Abel Sanchez
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
I read the Spanish version of this story a year ago and loved it. Unamuno probes the psychology of envy, which he describes as "the national disease of Spain", showing the self-hatred involved. This is a story of Cain and Abel told with loving understanding for Cain.
Copyright © 2025 Thriftbooks.com
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information | Cookie Policy | Cookie Preferences | Accessibility Statement
ThriftBooks ® and the ThriftBooks ® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
ThriftBooks ® and the ThriftBooks ® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
