San Manuel Bueno, Martir

by Miguel de Unamuno

Book Overview

Una de las obras imprescindibles de Unamuno, una conmovedora historia sobre el conflicto entre la raz?n y la fe. Considerada por muchos el testamento espiritual de Miguel de Unamuno, esta peque?a obra... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 8423995887
• ISBN13: 9788423995882
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: Planeta
• Length: 195 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 17.8" x 11.4" x 11.4"

Customer Reviews

Hauntingly beautiful and tragic

The parish priest has a secret... It is not that he really believes in love of his fellow man. His reputation for good works is unchallenged. He lives a saintly life. He truly cares about and for people. But he cares so much that he lies to his flock so they will not suffer or be scandalized. He doesn't lie in any way that will harm them -- he lies to them about what he himself truly believes, precisely so that they can avoid his own tragic fate.... This book haunted me when I first read it 35 years ago, and it still stirs me. Those who have lost belief, but are trying to be good persons in an often evil world should read this book. It may make you feel like crying. It did that to me....

After the loss of blind faith: firs step

This is one of the most thought-provoking novels I've ever read. The author presents us with a character who one day discovers he can't believe in god any longer, and thus finds almost everything in his life has lost meaning... His desperation is deepened because he is priest to his village, and is convinced that the loss of religious faith can only bring bad things to people's lives. Thus, he conceals his anguish... To me, the story talks about our constant search for meaning as human beings, about how strongly we can care for each other, about our struggle against failure... And although Unamuno probably didn't intend it that way, I also believe it's a dramatization of how we are capable of identifying with a certain idea or philosophy to such extent that we become unable to disentangle ourselves and reality from it. This conclusion is naturally drawn when you think about other reactions Miguel might have had to his discovery. A book of questions, with plenty of room for readers to search for their own answers.

una novela corta pero profunda

La vida del personaje principal en esta novela bellisima es una tragedia. San Manuel es un hombre religiouso que no cree en Dios. Sin embargo, el sabe que la gente necesita la fe para aguantar el dolor de sus existencias. El quiere ayudarles a todos, pero para ayudar el tiene que mentir.Su problema --el problema de la fe y de la razon-- es un cuestion tragica que todos seres humanos deben preguntar. Unamuno nos pregunta estas preguntas tan dificiles como importantes en esta novela miravillosa.

all intellectuals should read it, aun en ingles

I read this and, though it is not the kind of book one enjoys per se, it made me think a lot about the human condition. Lo lei y, aunque no es un libro para disfrutar , me hizo pensar mucho sobre la condicion humana. Please forgive my rookie Spanish. (Lo siento.) Read this book! (Leelo ahora!)

Excellent book raising a fascinating question.

This book consists of the memories that a woman from a small town in Spain has of don Manuel, the town's priest. The woman, Anglea, grew up around don Manuel, whom the whole village worships as a saint. Angela, however, knows don Manuel's one secret -- he doesn't believe in God. Don Manuel continues in the church because it is the best way for him to help the people of his villaige. He continues to preach what he sees as a lie because he believes that the simple people of his village need faith to live. Angela, and don Manuel himself, struggle greatly with the question of whether don Manuel is a saint or a hypocrite. This book raises a fascinating question, and it is worth the effort of reading this short novel just to ponder its central theme. Unamuno, however, also suceeds in showing the reader the great tragedy of the title character's life. The novel is emotionally as well as philosophically rich. Don Manuel Bueno, Martir, is a beautiful and rewarding read.