Peñas Arriba

''Peñas arriba'' by José María de Pereda is a novel written in the late 19th century. The narrative centers around the letters exchanged between the protagonist and his uncle, with the protagonist reflecting on their family background and the call to return to his ancestral home amid a backdrop of loss and contemplation over life’s trials. The story hints at themes such as family ties, the contrast between urban and rural life, and a search for belonging. At the start of the novel, the unnamed narrator receives a heartfelt letter from his uncle, Celso, inviting him to Tablanca, the family homestead in the mountains after the loss of his father and the absence of his sister. The uncle shares his life story, rife with personal losses, and expresses a longing for companionship in his old age. The protagonist, who has lived a comfortable and affluent life in urban settings, contemplates the contrast between his current life and what his uncle represents—the rugged, rural existence filled with hardships but also a deeper connection to family and land. As he wrestles with his feelings regarding the invitation, an inner conflict arises about his identity and the life choices before him.