Concentrating in recent years on the field of nineteenth-century prose, Montesinos has come to view the novel as the key to the literature and life of this epoch, even as he regards seventeenth-century drama as the touchstone for the Spain of Lope’s time. His study on Fernán Caballero represents but a segment of an originally more ambitious personal project which would encompass the whole of the modern Spanish novel.

Written with the thoroughness and passion for precision characteristic of Montesinos, the present study follows his traditional method of approach: analysis based on historical documentation. Montesinos brings no preconceived prejudices to his study. His work is not an apology; he readily recognizes the creative limitations of his author. Yet, he underscores convincingly her importance in the historical development of the novel, where she serves as a transitional fulcrum between the romantic and the regional genres.

Montesinos clearly demonstrates Fernán Caballero’s artistic vicissitudes and personal preoccupations in the 139 pages of the body of his study. He then clarifies his view of her historical potential in the annotated bibliographical section which follows, wherein he carefully documents circumstances surrounding the appearance of each of Fernán’s writings.