Resumen
José is a realist novel by Armando Palacio Valdés, presented in the Heath’s Modern Language Series as a text for students of Spanish language and literature.
The story follows José, a humble Asturian miner, whose life is shaped by the harsh realities of poverty, labor, and unfulfilled dreams.
Palacio Valdés uses José’s struggles to portray the dignity and hardships of the working class, painting vivid scenes of rural Spain and industrial life.
Beyond the personal story, the novel reflects themes of social inequality, human endurance, and moral strength, common to the author’s broader realist style.
As part of the Heath educational series, the text was widely used in the early 20th century to help students engage not only with the Spanish language but also with its cultural and literary context.