The Fourth Estate, vol. 1

"The Fourth Estate, vol. 1" by Armando Palacio Valdés is a story set in a small Cantabrian coastal town during the late 19th century, and it examines social class, societal expectations, and relationships between people. The book focuses on the Belinchon family and their interactions with other people in the town, especially a young couple named Gonzalo and Cecilia, who are trying to navigate the difficulties of love while dealing with intense societal scrutiny. The story begins in the town of Sarrio, where the local theater is the center of community activity. Readers meet characters, like Doña Paula and her daughters, Cecilia and Venturita, who often worry about the town gossip, specially about their outfits. The arrival of Gonzalo de las Cuevas, a young man who is interested in Cecilia after just finishing education in England, changes things. Through dialogue full of social commentary, the beginning introduces themes of ambition, societal norms, and the contradictions found in class differences. The reader quickly jumps into the daily life of Sarrio and its townspeople.