Novel
La Calandria
Not translated into English
Rafael Delgado · 1890
Synopsis
Pluviosilla, a rainy provincial town. When her mother, a poor washerwoman, dies, Carmen, whom everyone calls la Calandria for her fine voice, passes into the care of doña Pancha. Gabriel, a handsome, strong and poor young cabinetmaker, loves her; Alberto Rosas, an elegant, rich and idle young man, courts her. Carmen, ill at ease in her station, hesitates between the two, and ill-intentioned friends do not help her to choose well.
Context
The book was written at the invitation of the founders of the Revista Nacional de Letras y Ciencias, which published it in instalments in 1890; it appeared in volume form in 1891 at Orizaba, from Pablo Franch, with a preface by Francisco Sosa. Critics received it well, and Mariano Azuela would celebrate it much later. Pluviosilla is the image of Orizaba, set against the capital. It was brought to the screen in 1933.
Who it is for
A short novel, easy to read, rich in popular scenes and in the colloquial language of provincial Mexico; no French or English translation.
Prizes and reception
Its author's first and, for some, best novel; it made him known and earned him lasting popularity.
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