Resumen
Sangre y arena (1908) is one of Vicente Blasco Ibáñez’s most famous novels, centering on the life of Juan Gallardo, a talented and ambitious bullfighter in Valencia. The story follows his rise to fame, the passion and rivalries of the bullring, and the personal and romantic entanglements that accompany his success.
Blasco Ibáñez explores themes of ambition, honor, love, jealousy, and the destructive nature of fame, highlighting both the glamour and the dangers of bullfighting culture.
The novel also portrays the tension between tradition and modernity, as characters navigate societal expectations, personal desires, and the consequences of their actions.
Rich in realist detail and regional color, Sangre y arena combines intense drama, social commentary, and psychological insight, offering a vivid portrait of early 20th-century Spanish life and the complex world of bullfighting.