Widely considered Spain's greatest writer of fiction after Cervantes, Benito P#65533;rez Gald#65533;s (1843-1920) ranks among the foremost nineteenth-century realists. In the 30 novels that form the core of his achievement, Gald#65533;s bears unique witness to the public and private life of Madrid during its formative years as a modern city.
The 1889 novella Torquemada at the Stake focuses on a character who had appeared in previous works by Gald#65533;s (and who would reappear in three subsequent novels). Named after the infamous Grand Inquisitor of the fifteenth century, this latter-day Torquemada is an avaricious moneylender who attempts to restore his son's failing health through uncharacteristic acts of charity.
Highly regarded by critics, many of whom find it equal to the author’s best work, Torquemada at the Stake is not widely available in English. This dual-language edition features an informative introduction and ample footnotes, making it not only a pleasure to read but also a valuable learning and teaching aid for students and teachers of Spanish literature.