Reviews

San Manuel Bueno, mártir by Miguel de Unamuno

florencebrino's review against another edition

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4.0

I don’t know what is true and what is a lie, nor what I saw, or what I dreamed—or rather what I dreamed and what I only saw—nor what I knew, nor what I believed. I don’t know if I am transferring my consciousness to this paper as white as snow, and if it will remain there, leaving me without it. Why should I still keep it…? Do I know anything?; do I believe anything? Has what I am writing about here really happened, and did it happen like I am telling it? Can things like these really happen? Is this just a dream, within another dream?

A priest, a village, faith and doubts.
I could write many paragraphs about this short novel, but I would be repeating¹ myself

First time I read Unamuno's prose. Definitely not the last.
You can find this little gem online.
SpoilerSpanish - English


Feb 15, 16
* Also on my blog.

isalolo's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

tatianasb's review against another edition

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reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

corrinajoe's review against another edition

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2.0

i like the idea, a priest who doesn’t believe in God. it could open up great discussions on belief and what they are used for. Lazaro began to do that, questioning religion and suggesting it is used for control. however, the moral ends up being that we should be religious and Lazara was “cured of his progressivism” which was pretty disappointing

rukiam's review against another edition

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2.0

El primer libro obligatorio que simplemente no me he tragado en ningún momento, en fin, el tema y la agonía del personaje es muy profunda y la verdad es que se disfruta, pero , ¿el resto?.

darkosaur's review against another edition

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4.0

La realidad es una mierda muy dura, y a veces hay que creer en algo, en lo que sea. Creer aunque no se crea, pues el tormento no pasa nunca pero eso no es razón para creerlo. Hay que tener fe. En algo, en lo que sea, pero hay que tenerla

eteocles's review against another edition

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5.0

Un libro que es un fogonazo tras otro: de frases, de sentimientos, de imágenes. Un libro que huele a madera vieja y a iglesia cerrada, pero también a compasión, pena y fraternidad. Un libro marcado por unas montañas y un lago, y parece que todos hemos estado allí. San Manuel Bueno, mártir, es un estado mental.

leftistsquidward's review against another edition

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3.0

Probably my least favourite Unamuno so far which is a shame. The main dilemma was left unexplored which was his intention but I feel didn’t serve up any of the existential goodness you could pick out from Amor Y Pedagogia, Niebla or Del Sentimiento Tragico. The ending felt cliché knowing its influences so well and overall was left feeling like it was a half-hearted attempt at his main argument. Thankfully Unamuno is a skilled writer and not a page felt dull, just a bit repressed.

lauranox's review against another edition

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inspiring reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

cronopista's review against another edition

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2.0

Premisa implausible, personajes de cartón piedra y una condescendencia sin límites. Unamuno representa el mejor ejemplo del mal endémico de la "intelectualidad" española, que consiste en confundir los juegos de palabras con las ideas y el sentimentalismo con la profundidad.