Resumen
In La segunda casaca ("The Second Coat"), Benito Pérez Galdós paints a vivid and biting portrait of political opportunism in 19th-century Spain.
The novel continues the story of Salvador Monsalud, a liberal and idealistic former military officer who finds himself entangled in the twisted loyalties and betrayals of post-Napoleonic Spanish politics.
The title is a play on the phrase "changing coats," referring to those who shift their political allegiances for personal gain. Galdós uses Monsalud's struggles to critique the corruption, instability, and hypocrisy of the time, especially under the reactionary rule of King Ferdinand VII.
While Salvador tries to remain true to his ideals, those around him—friends, family, and rivals—reveal just how fluid political morals can be when power and survival are at stake.
The novel is not only a chronicle of personal disillusionment but also a reflection of Spain's turbulent political transformation during the early 19th century.