Martin Rivas [Paperback]

Alberto Blest Gana (Author), Jaime Concha (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 12, 2006 | ISBN-10: 9871136544 | ISBN-13: 978-9871136544

Martín Rivas, one of the most important novels by Alberto Blest Gana constitutes a clear example of the best chilean narrative tradition. Over the background of a frustrated liberal rebellion, amidst the growing opportunism of the political ruling class, the author sketches a love and social climb story, told with remarkable tact, equilibrium and vivacity. Province and capital, people and elite, french imitators and mixed race, romantics and social climbers, all make for and enliven a social picture of recognizable XIX Century hues. Martín Rivas is an entertaining whilst significative novel, that the reader cannot but enjoy. This is the fourth Martin Rivas edition by Dr Jaime Concha, the chilean critic who teaches at the University of California, and builds upon his other editions (Editorial Ayacucho, and the Oxford University Press, English version), by adding notes that will certainly help the clear understanding of the text as originally intended by the author.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

A Chilean statesman, mathematician, and writer, Blest Gana (1830-1920) founded the Latin American documentary social novel and dashed off impressive prose works that mined the strata of Santiago society from the heady days of its independence to its lackluster fin-de-siecle. In 1850, his ambitious but reflective and level-headed young protagonist, Martin Rivas--son of an adventurous prospector in Chile's northern district who lost his fortune searching for an illusory mother lode--heads south for the capital precisely when the Chilean economy is booming. Upon his deathbed, Martin's father entrusts him to the Santiago household of his now wealthy former business partner. Here, Martin falls in love with his guardian's haughty daughter, Leonor. Their agonizing but ultimately successful romance reflects the author's desire for a reconciliation between the antagonistic regional and class interests of his country, and Martin's ascent from mining bourgeoisie to national bourgeoisie based in agriculture, finance, and commerce reflects Blest Gana's prescriptions for Chile's well-being. An accomplished and entertaining allegory that waited 137 years to be translated into English.
-Jack Shreve, Allegany Coll. of Maryland, Cumberland
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From Kirkus Reviews

Martin Rivas ($25.00; Dec.; 388 pp.; 0-19-510714-4): This intermittently tedious but eventually rewarding fictionthe first full-length novel published (in 1862) by its Chilean author, a would-be Balzacportrays in workmanlike depth the education of its eponymous hero as he is born in the impoverished north, raised by a wealthy Santiago family, and matured by his involvement in revolutionary politics. Blest Ganas extended contrasts between Martin and his loved ones, colleagues, and enemies pays mixed dividends in an overly earnest, infuriatingly discursive narrative that nevertheless does gradually create a convincingly detailed picture of a culture under siege and in flux. Blest Gana is no Balzac; he may, however, be Chiles Howard Fast or Upton Sinclair. -- Copyright ©2000, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 420 pages
• Publisher: Stockcero (July 12, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9871136544
• ISBN-13: 978-9871136544
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,444,468 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for a romantic mind, January 14, 2003

By 

Milton Bertin Jones (Santiago, Chile) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Martï¿1/2n Rivas (Library of Latin America) (Paperback)

This is the book about romanticism, deep class separation, politics and honesty in the Chile of 1850, The hero shows all the points of his flawless character in the context of a full ethics approach to relationships, It will make an spectacular gift for teens and persons of teen heart because it included a passionate love story with optimistic message for all.

Additionally the political events that form part of the novel are real, and will provide a deep knowledge of political forces in a just-born Country.

I read it when I was teen, I reread for my fifty birthday, always with watery of eyes.....

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Martín Rivas, September 25, 2000

By 

Irma (Madrid, Spain) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Martï¿1/2n Rivas (Library of Latin America) (Paperback)

La literatura chilena es excelente, recuerdo este libro con nostalgia ... volveria a leerlo si lo tuviera en mis manos y tuviese tiempo! Os lo recomiendo desde la primera página os cautivará.

5.0 out of 5 stars Martin Rivas, the book, October 3, 2010

By 

Carl Algo "Carl" (Katy, Tx USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Martï¿1/2n Rivas (Library of Latin America) (Paperback)

Martin Rivas, the book. It is a good book. It maybe challenging to get the full social and political environment in which it is set for the english reader. A soup opera was produced in Chile based on Martin Rivas, with the same name. Separating one from the other, the soup opera, done professionally and with stupendous actors and actresses, just went too far from the reality of the book. Parts of the scenes simply stupid. But the book is good, entertaining, easy to read.