Cecilia Valdés o La Loma del Ángel

Cecilia Valdés (1882) is arguably the most important Cuban novel of the 19th century. Cirilo Villaverde creates a vast panorama of colonial Havana society, exploring the complexities of race, slavery, and class through the tragic story of the beautiful mulatta Cecilia and her incestuous romance with the Spaniard Leonardo Gamboa.

The novel is both a romantic tragedy and a scathing critique of the slave society that defined Cuba's economy and culture. It delves into the themes of "mestizaje" and the rigid caste system that ultimately leads to the characters' downfall.

This Edition: Edited by Ana María Hernández (LaGuardia College, CUNY), this edition provides the context necessary to understand the intricate social dynamics of 19th-century Cuba.