Pio Baroja

Pio Baroja
Pío Baroja was a prominent Spanish novelist and a key figure of the Generation of '98, a literary movement concerned with the political and social decline of Spain. Known for his pessimistic outlook and existential themes, his works often depicted disillusionment with society and explored individualism. Among his most famous novels are "The Tree of Knowledge" ("El árbol de la ciencia") and "The Restlessness of Shanti Andía" ("Las inquietudes de Shanti Andía"). His concise, direct style and philosophical depth made him a significant voice in Spanish literature of the early 20th century.

Author's Books:


CHAPTER I   Preamble—Somewhat Immoral Notions of a Boarding-House Keeper—A    Balcony Is Heard Closing—A Cricket Chirps. The clock in the corridor had just struck twelve, in a leisurely, rhythmic, decorous manner. It was the habit of that tall old narrow-cased clock to accelerate or retard, after its own sweet taste and whim, the uniform and monotonous series of hours that encircle our life... more...

I. THE PARIS-VENTIMIGLIA EXPRESSMARSEILLES!The fast Paris-Ventimiglia train, one of the Grand European Expresses, had stopped a moment at Marseilles. It was about seven in the morning of a winter day. The huge cars, with their bevelled-glass windows, dripped water from all parts; the locomotive puffed, resting from its run, and the bellows between car and car, like great accordeons, had black drops... more...

INTRODUCTION Pío Baroja is a product of the intellectual reign of terror that went on in Spain after the catastrophe of 1898. That catastrophe, of course, was anything but unforeseen. The national literature, for a good many years before the event, had been made dismal by the croaking of Iokanaans, and there was a definite défaitiste party among the intelligentsia. But among the people in... more...