The novel La Lucha por la vida (The Struggle for Life, 1904) by Pío Baroja, an illustrious Basque novelist and a luminary of the Generation of '98, delves into the arduous existence endured by Madrid's impoverished inhabitants.

Celebrated as the pioneering masterpiece of modern Spanish literature, Don Quixote (Vol. 1, 1605; Vol. 2, 1615) by Miguel de Cervantes, chronicles the whimsical quests of a nobleman who fancies himself a knight-errant. With his loyal squire Sancho Panza by his side, he embarks on a fantastical journey, mistaking windmills for fearsome giants, humble inns for grand castles, and a peasant girl for a resplendent princess.

Sangre y arena (Blood and Sand, 1908), one of the most compelling works by Vicente Blasco Ibáñez, another notable figure of the Generation of '98, spins the gripping tale of a bullfighter ensnared by the societal and traditional shackles that bind him.

Explorations of Existential Themes

Antonio Machado, a literary giant of the Generation of '98, is celebrated for his evocative poetry and thought-provoking essays that delve into the depths of existential introspection. His acclaimed volume Poesias Completas (Complete Poems, 1928) stands as a testament to his poetic prowess.

The introspective collection Meditaciones del Quijote (Meditations on Quixote, 1914) by José Ortega y Gasset draws inspiration from Unamuno's reflections, examining Cervantes’ Don Quixote through the lens of existential inquiry and the essence of human existence.

Unamuno's Philosophical Explorations

Margaret Thomas Rudd delves into the existential and spiritual conflicts of Unamuno in her 1963 biography The Lone Heretic, exploring his relentless quest for answers amidst the turmoil of religious doubt.

Unamuno's magnum opus, Abel Sanchez (1917), reimagines the biblical saga of Cain and Abel in a modern context. This narrative intricately portrays the tumultuous relationship between two brothers, Joaquin and Abel. Consumed by envy, Joaquin anguishes over Abel’s potential immortality through his artistic achievements.

The essays collected in Don Quijote y Sancho (Don Quixote and Sancho, 1905) present Unamuno’s compelling argument that the characters of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza transcend Cervantes’ original tale, symbolizing divergent cultural ideologies within Spanish heritage.

In his masterful poetic work, El Cristo de Velazquez (The Christ of Velazquez, 1920), Unamuno crafts a profound book-length blank-verse poem, contemplating the majestic resurrection painting by seventeenth-century Spanish artist Diego Velazquez.

Del sentimiento tragico (The Tragic Sense of Life, 1913) by Unamuno is a seminal collection of essays that articulate his personal philosophy, navigating the treacherous waters of religious faith and existential uncertainty in the face of modernity’s complexities.