Zumalacárregui

Zumalacárregui is the first novel of the third series of the National Episodes of Benito Pérez Galdós.
After almost twenty years since the end of the second series, Pérez Galdós returns to the attack with his National Episodes. The third series begins with this novel focused on the first Carlist war, more precisely on the Basque-Navarre campaign commanded by General Zumalacárregui, on the Carlist side, and ends with his death in the siege of Bilbao.
The story shows us the adventures, musings and uneasiness of an Aragonese priest who accompanies the general. José Fago is an extreme character like so many of those portrayed by the author throughout these National Episodes. Galdós, with his classic style, introduces us to history knowing how to see the bad and good things of each other.
Doubts and sudden oscillations between the necessity and justice of the Carlist cause and, therefore, of the war and the radical injustice that the war represents, and also the impossibility of God supporting so much death and so much vermin. The characters and Fago himself talk, discuss and chat about their motives and consequences. They also debate whether religion has anything to say about it.
It also deals with warrior ardor and cruel military logic…
José Fago, a contradictory, almost bipolar character, will end up dying at the same time as his friend, General Zumalacárregui, in the siege of Bilbao.

Reference edition: Madrid, Establecimiento Tipográfica de la Viuda e Hijos de Tello, 1898.