Los de abajo

Mariano Azuela's Los de abajo is widely considered the first modern novel of the Mexican Revolution. It offers a raw and unflinching portrayal of the conflict's brutal futility through the eyes of Demetrio Macías and his men. This edition includes a critical introduction by Luis Leal.

Mariano Azuela (1873-1952), a physician from Lagos de Moreno, Jalisco, played a pivotal role in shaping modern Mexican literature. His personal experiences during the Revolution, including his brief tenure as a political leader and later as a medical officer with Villista forces, deeply influenced his perspective. Los de abajo emerged from his firsthand observations and disillusionment with the Revolution's true nature, transcending its initial publication as a newspaper serial to become a literary landmark.

The novel famously depicts the struggle between “los de arriba” (the powerful elite) and “los de abajo” (the impoverished and dispossessed). Through Demetrio Macías's tragic journey, Azuela critiques the futility of armed conflict when the underlying social structures remain unchanged. The narrative's circular structure, ending where it began, underscores this powerful message of disillusionment.

Beyond its political themes, Azuela masterfully integrates the Mexican landscape, where nature often reflects the characters' inner turmoil and foreshadows events.
This edition features a critical introduction by Luis Leal, highlighting Azuela's pioneering role in forging a new Hispano-American novel that broke from European literary norms.

*Stockcero's edition is meticulously prepared for advanced Spanish Literature courses, providing essential context and discussion points for instructors.*