Novelas y cuadros de la vida sur-americana

Soledad Acosta de Samper (1833-1913), the most prolific and important Colombian writer of the 19th century, presents in Novelas y cuadros de la vida sur-americana a collection of fictions that explore social reality, gender roles, and the ideology the author sought to convey. Educated in Europe and deeply aware of women's societal position, Acosta de Samper uses narrative as a vehicle to promote revolutionary messages within the Colombian context of her time.

The work stands out for its observational realism, its sharp critique of class and gender inequalities, and its focus on the necessity of women's education. Through short stories and novels like “Dolores,” “Teresa la limeña,” and “El corazón de la mujer,” the author not only portrays daily South American life but also proposes new models of femininity, promoting autonomy, morality, and virtue as essential for women and the nation.

This edition delves into the sociocultural context of the era, the influence of European realism, and Acosta de Samper's tireless cultural work as a journalist, historian, and feminist. An essential text for understanding foundational female voices in Latin American narrative.