He was born in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in 1843, and died in Madrid in 1920. He abandoned his career in law to devote himself to literature. His first novel, entitled 'La sombra' and written in the romantic style, appeared in instalments in 1870. That year he published 'La fontana de oro', which served as a kind of prelude to his 'Episodios Nacionales' (1873). He began experimenting with naturalism with 'La desheredada' (1881), the first of his contemporary novels, a style which he perfected in 'Lo prohibido' (1884-85). His work 'Fortunata y Jacinta' (1886-87) is a vast historical and social mural which serves as a backdrop for the story of two young women in love with the same man. His dramatic work derived from his work as a novelist, and in 1891 María Guerrero staged the theatrical adaptation of 'Realidad'. In his private life he is known to have had an illegitimate daughter and an affair with the writer Emilia Pardo Bazán.
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Electra
Play by Benito Pérez Galdós based on the Greek myth of Electra, describing the social reality in Spain at the time.
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Episodios nacionales
A colossal set of tales where Pérez Galdós goes over the main chapters in modern Spanish history.
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Fortunata and Jacinta
A classic par excellence from Benito Pérez Galdós and a masterpiece of Spanish literary realism.
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Other highlighted works
- Lo prohibido
- Doña Perfecta
- Realidad
- Marianela
