Years after the turbulent events of Los Pazos de Ulloa, we return to the Galician countryside. The estate is now managed by Julián, the former priest, who has raised Perucho and Manuela, the children from the first book's complicated relationships. They've grown up as siblings in this wild, isolated setting. But as they come of age, a powerful and disturbing attraction blossoms between them. Their bond feels as natural as the forest around them, yet they are haunted by whispers of a shared past they don't fully understand.

Why You Should Read It

Pardo Bazán is a master of atmosphere. She makes the Galician landscape a character—its fog, its fertility, its oppressive beauty—that mirrors the characters' inner turmoil. This isn't just a historical drama; it's a sharp, psychological look at instinct versus social law. The tension isn't in big action scenes, but in a lingering glance, a moment of silence, and the awful dread of a truth everyone feels but no one will say. Manuela and Perucho are heartbreaking because their love feels so innocent and so doomed at the same time.

Final Verdict

Perfect for readers who love classic literature with a modern-feeling edge. If you enjoy stories where the setting is alive and the moral questions aren't black-and-white, you'll be gripped. It’s a necessary and even more compelling follow-up to Los Pazos de Ulloa, proving Pardo Bazán wasn't just a great writer for her time, but a storyteller who gets under your skin.