The House of Ulloa

An unforgettable tragicomic novel of sexual and political intrigue in 19th-century Spain

One of the greatest nineteenth-century Spanish novels, The House of Ulloa follows pious Father Julián Alvarez, who is sent to a crumbling country estate to put in order the affairs of the marquis, an irresponsible libertine. When the sensitive priest discovers the moral decadence, cruelty, and corruption at his new home, his well-meaning but ineffectual attempts to prevent the fall of the House of Ulloa end in tragedy. Combining gothic elements with humor and social satire, The House of Ulloa is the finest achievement of Emilia Pardo Bazán, one of the most dynamic figures of her time.

For more than sixty-five years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,500 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.