The Disenchantments of Love: A Translation of Desengaños Amorosos

By María de Zayas and María de Zayas Sotomayor

Book Overview

Published in 1647, these ten tales are among the earliest narratives in Western literature to focus on women's experiences and points of view in love relationships.

The Disenchantments of Love, published in Spain in 1647 by Mar a de Zayas, is a stunning collection of stories about women's amorous experiences in a patriarchal and imperialistic society during the turbulent seventeenth century. Now available for the first time in English translation, the ten examplary novellas are set within an encompassing frame story that continues from the first collection, The Enchantments of Love: Amorous and Exemplary Novels, published in 1637. Both collections of love stories were immediately popular because of the novelty of their plots and the gender of their author.

What is new in the disenchantments is the deliberately feminist purpose stated in the rules for telling stories: only women are to narrate "true cases intended to disenchant women about men's deceptions," pointedly denying men the opportunity to dominate the storytelling. In the frame, however, the subtly ironic commentaries on the stories highlight the differences between masculine and feminine points of view. The conclusion of the frame reiterates the exemplary message that women are safe from men's physical and psychological abuse only in the sisterhood of the convent.

These ten sensational and bizarre tales focus on the ways lovers deceive women in order to "get their way," through magic, cross dressing as women, and rape-to the torture and murder of innocent women at the hands of their protectors-their fathers, brothers, and husbands. The graphic depictions of women's mutilated bodies are unprecedented in Western literature, as is the meticulous description of domestic violence that has traditionally remained private and hidden. A fascinating dimension of these fast-paced narratives is what they suggest through omission, silence, and ambiguous detail: the untold story that fires the reader's imagination.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0791432823
• ISBN13: 9780791432822
• Release Date: March 1997
• Publisher: State University of New York Press
• Length: 405 Pages
• Weight: 1.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.0" x 9.0"
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Que femenista!

Maria de Zayas is by far the most exciting female author to come out of Spain's Golden Age, if you consider the fact that this was in the 1600s. English nor French lit can touch this woman's commitment to educate women and have them realize that having a man isn't everything. Touching upon the mystical at times, her stories are grusome and desperate. I have never read such unique, descriptive stories in all of my life. I had the opportunity to read them in Spanish first, so if you are able to read them in their original language you should do so. This book is a must for anyone interested in Spanish literature or even early feminism. You will be shocked, but interested to keep reading.

Fabulous- Fabuloso

During the 17th Century, Spanish authors were mostly men. The women who wrote during the period usually were confined to the traditional writings of the era. Although Maria de Zayas y Sotomayor escapes from the norm of her time and really exposes the hardships women dealt with. Her stories will make you laugh, cry, and love. They are so beautiful. I have to thank my Spanish Literature professor for suggesting I read it.This book is not only enlights one of Spain, but of women in general. I highly recommend this novel.

Amazing!

This book was one of the most amazing books I have ever read. The trials the women go through in this book because of the love they had for their men are nothing short of extraordinary. I would recommend this book to anyone who is ready to understand that women had to go through more than cleaning house. After reading this book you will never think about men or women during this time period the same.