Book dossier

Miau

by Benito Pérez Galdós

Miau tells a story about a middle-low class family of Madrid in the 19th century. The main character is Ramón Villaamil, an ex-employée from the Ministry of Economy and Finance. He lives with his wife doña Pura, his sister-in-law Milagros, his daughter Abelarda, his grandson Luis Cadalso, and his detestable son-in-law Víctor Cadalso. Víctor's wife, Luisa Villaamil, who is dead, was the mother of Luis. Miau is the Spanish onomatopoeia for the sound made by cats, but it also stands for: "Moralidad, Impuesto progresivo, Aduanas y Unificación de la deuda" (morality, income tax, customs and unification of the debt), the four main ideas of Villaamil to improve the ministry administration... Marinaela is a somewhat different tale. Marianela's parents died when she was young, leaving her without family or money. But she was happy with Pablo, her blind friend. But would all that change when Dr. Golfín arrives in town? Would Pablo still love the impoverished and ugly Marianela when he no longer needed her?