María

by Jorge Isaacs and J M Vergara y Vergara

Book Overview

Mar a (1867) is a novel by Jorge Isaacs. Partly inspired by his own life, Mar a is a moving story of romance, hope, and tragedy by a leading author of the Spanish Romantic movement. The novel was Isaacs' debut work of fiction and seemed to promise him a lengthy career in Colombian literature. As he dedicated himself to politics, however, he largely abandoned his youthful commitment to writing in favor of a more conventional career. Raised in the idyllic countryside of Valle del Cauca, Mar a and Efra n develop a love for one another that refuses to die. Forced apart by familial expectations, Efra n leaves his lover to study in Bogot , and remains in the Colombian capital for six years. Desperate to return, he leaves the city and reunites with Mar a, who waited patiently the whole time he was away. As the two begin preparing for a life together in their beautiful homeland, Efra n learns that his family has other plans for him. In a few months' time, he is expected to travel to London and enroll in medical school, guaranteeing years away from his home and his young, faithful love. As the day of his departure approaches, Efra n and Mar a attempt to recapture the simplistic joy of their youth but find themselves drifting further into doubt than ever before. Mar a is a masterpiece of Romantic literature from a talented writer who blossomed early and never managed to live up to his astounding promise. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Jorge Isaacs' Mar a is a classic of Colombian literature reimagined for modern readers.

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• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1513282530
• ISBN13: 9781513282534
• Release Date: May 2021
• Publisher: Mint Editions
• Length: 184 Pages
• Weight: 0.46 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.0" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Love and obedience in 19th century Colombia

Maria follows the story of Maria and Efrain as they fall in love and are unable to pursue it out of respect for Efrain's parents until his return from school in Europe. It is a beautiful novel of the naivete of adolescence and strength of love. Also it tells of daily life in Colombia in the 19th century. Maria sigue el cuento de Maria y Efrain mientras que los dos se enamoraron pero no pueden disfrutar el amor hasta el regreso de Efrain de escuela en Londres (de respeto por sus padres). Es una novela hermosa de la ingenuidad de la adolescencia y la forza de amor. Ademas habla de la vida cotidiana y como habia Colombia en el siglo diecinueve.

Transcends all time periods

A true love story that grips the heart. Then again, I'm biased since Senor Jorge Isaacs was my Great Great Grand-uncle :) I highly recommend the book, audio, or movie version.

lo decimonónico en su hermosura selvática

Jorge Isaacs (Cauca, 1837-1895) es el autor de la excepcional María (1867). María dista de ser una novela interpretada de un modo unívoco y siempre aprobatorio. La crítica le mezquina de ordinario lo que el público lector de lengua castellana le ha brindado, casi desde la primera hora, hasta convertirla en una de las obras más leídas y con mayor número de ediciones en la literatura de nuestra lengua.Es, de las novelas decimonónicas, la historia de amor funesto más sugestiva, sentida y llena de signficado. La novela narra los amores de dos jóvenes adolescentes que dan contenida vida a su primer amor . . . . El encantamiento sensual o la vehemencia de la pasión juvenil es sublimada en objetos o manifestaciones diversas del amor por el otro --flores, guedejas, pañuelos, anillos--; objetos que sellan una promesa, pagan una culpa o compensan un agravio. Una sensualidad delicada y real se manifiesta en roce de casualidad, presiones tiernas, besos, visión sorpresiva de la desnudez de hombros, manos o pies, que son objeto de maravilla constante.

Amor en su plenitud

Una de las bellas historias de la literatura romantica hispanoamericana, nos lleva a revivir una y otra vez ,en el magico ambiente del Valle del Cauca, la fuerza del amor de Efrain y Maria. Un libro para leer tan solo por el placer de recordar lo que se puede sentir estando vivos.

Maria

This is a beautiful 19th century novel, a classic of Latin American literature. It's about the story of a young Jewish Colombian woman (Jorge Isaacs was Jewish) and the love of her life, a young man she grows up with. It's set in the Andean region of Colombia with beautifully depicted imagery of the natural settings, and the customs of the times. It is both tragic and inspiring, and there is a good reason why it's a classic. It's characters, the scenery, and the haunting ending are very memorable.