Martín Rivas

Martín Rivas, one of the most important novels by Alberto Blest Gana constitutes a clear example of the best chilean narrative tradition. Over the background of a frustrated liberal rebellion, amidst the growing opportunism of the political ruling class, the author sketches a love and social climb story, told with remarkable tact, equilibrium and vivacity. Province and capital, people and elite, french imitators and mixed race, romantics and social climbers, all make for and enliven a social picture of recognizable XIX Century hues. Martín Rivas is an entertaining whilst significative novel, that the reader cannot but enjoy. This is the fourth Martin Rivas edition by Dr Jaime Concha, the chilean critic who teaches at the University of California, and builds upon his other editions (Editorial Ayacucho, and the Oxford University Press, English version), by adding notes that will certainly help the clear understanding of the text as originally intended by the author.