María (1867) is a novel by Jorge Isaacs. Partly inspired by his own
life, María is a moving story of romance, hope, and tragedy by a
leading author of the Spanish Romantic movement. The novel was Isaacs'
debut work of fiction and seemed to promise him a lengthy career in
Colombian literature. As he dedicated himself to politics, however, he
largely abandoned his youthful commitment to writing in favor of a more
conventional career. Raised in the idyllic countryside of Valle del
Cauca, María and Efraín develop a love for one another that refuses to
die. Forced apart by familial expectations, Efraín leaves his lover to
study in Bogotá, and remains in the Colombian capital for six years.
Desperate to return, he leaves the city and reunites with María, who
waited patiently the whole time he was away. As the two begin preparing
for a life together in their beautiful homeland, Efraín learns that his
family has other plans for him. In a few months' time, he is expected to
travel to London and enroll in medical school, guaranteeing years away
from his home and his young, faithful love. As the day of his departure
approaches, Efraín and María attempt to recapture the simplistic joy of
their youth but find themselves drifting further into doubt than ever
before. María is a masterpiece of Romantic literature from a talented
writer who blossomed early and never managed to live up to his
astounding promise. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally
typeset manuscript, this edition of Jorge Isaacs' María is a classic
of Colombian literature reimagined for modern readers.
