Review: BLANCA SOL by Mercedes Cabello

Review of the book «BLANCA SOL» by Mercedes Cabello de Carbonera.

“Blanca Sol” is one of the most important works of the Peruvian writer Mercedes Cabello de Carbonera. Originally published in 1885, this novel became a classic of Peruvian and Latin American literature, and remains relevant today thanks to its exploration of themes such as love, family, honor, and social justice.

The story of “Blanca Sol” follows its eponymous protagonist, a young and beautiful woman from Lima’s high society who falls in love with a man who does not belong to her social circle. The relationship between Blanca and her lover is hindered by the social conventions of the time and the opposition of Blanca’s family, leading to a series of dramatic events that test her love and the moral integrity of Blanca. she.

Throughout the novel, Cabello de Carbonera presents a critical vision of 19th century Peruvian society, in which social classes are strongly divided and corruption and injustice are common. Through the characters of Blanca and her lover, Cabello de Carbonera questions the traditional values ​​of the aristocracy and argues in favor of individual freedom and the right to choose one’s own path in life.

In addition to her social criticism, “Blanca Sol” is also known for her evocative and emotional literary style. Cabello de Carbonera uses poetic, descriptive prose to paint vivid images of life in 19th-century Lima, from the luxurious homes and gardens of high society to the slums and dirty streets of the city.

Mercedes Cabello de Carbonera (1845-1909) was a Peruvian writer who played a prominent role in the literature of her country and in the feminist movement of the time. Born in Lima in a wealthy family, she received a careful education at home and in private schools.

Cabello de Carbonera began writing from a very young age, and her first published work was a short novel titled “Blanca Sol” (1878), which quickly positioned her as one of the most important voices in Peruvian literature. In this work, Cabello de Carbonera addresses topics such as education, love and women in the society of the time, and she does so with elegant and emotional prose.

In 1887, he published his best-known novel, “La Blanca Sol”, which is a criticism of Lima society and the Catholic religion in particular. The novel caused a great stir in Peruvian society at the time, and Cabello de Carbonera was harshly criticized for her anticlerical and feminist stance. However, she also received the support of many women and men who shared her ideas and vision of society.

Cabello de Carbonera also wrote essays and articles on social and political issues, in which she denounced the discrimination of women and the oppression of the clergy. She was one of the first women in Peru to defend women’s rights and fight for gender equality.

In addition to her work as a writer, Cabello de Carbonera was also a social and political activist. She participated in the founding of the Society for the Protection of Women (1889) and in the creation of the Peruvian Feminist Party (1894), of which she was one of the leaders.

In summary, “Blanca Sol” is a masterpiece of Peruvian literature that deserves to be read by any literature lover. With its exploration of timeless themes such as love, freedom, and social justice, as well as its exciting and evocative literary style, this novel remains relevant and moving more than a century after its original publication.