La Quimera [Spanish Edition]

La Quimera by Emilia Pardo Bazán is a poignant novel that explores the clash between idealism and reality in 19th-century Spanish society. It follows Augusta, a sensitive and intellectual young woman, as she navigates love, duty, and personal fulfillment in a world that restricts female autonomy. Her marriage to a pragmatic, emotionally distant man leads to disillusionment and inner turmoil. Through Augusta's psychological depth, Pardo Bazán critiques the limited roles for women, the emptiness of social conventions, and the tragic cost of sacrificing passion for respectability. A powerful study of dreams, identity, and the elusive search for happiness.