Niebla

Miguel de Unamuno (1864-1936), a central figure of the Spanish "Generation of '98," bequeathed a vast intellectual legacy across novels, essays, poetry, and philosophy. Niebla (Fog), published in 1914, is a complex, profound, and often humorous “nivola” – a term Unamuno coined within the novel itself – that blurs the lines between reality and fiction.

The story follows Augusto Pérez, a wealthy, introspective orphan whose sudden, intense love for Eugenia triggers an existential crisis. His quest for love becomes intertwined with his search for personal identity and the meaning of his own existence, leading to profound doubts about his agency and the reality of his life.

Unamuno masterfully explores themes of personal identity, death, and the nature of existence, deeply influenced by European philosophical currents (Freud, Bergson, Nietzsche, Kierkegaard) and his own religious concerns. The novel challenges traditional narrative forms through its innovative metafiction: Unamuno himself enters the narrative as a character, confronting Augusto and blurring the boundaries between creator and creature. This revolutionary use of metafiction, abundant dialogue, and a “spontaneous” plot (“a lo que salga”) positions Niebla as a key text in the renewal of the novel form at the dawn of the 20th century.

The symbolism of niebla (fog) permeates the narrative, representing confusion, physical and mental obfuscation, and the protagonist's eventual realization of his tenuous reality. Through its rich language and tragicomic tone, Niebla offers a unique blend of intellectual depth and narrative playfulness, compelling readers to ponder fundamental questions about their own existence.

This Stockcero edition is based on Unamuno's meticulously revised third edition from 1935, which includes an insightful author's prologue. It is accompanied by extensive notes, providing invaluable guidance for contemporary readers to navigate Unamuno's intricate vocabulary and rich cultural, political, and literary allusions.