UN Voluntario Realista

''Un voluntario realista'' by Benito Pérez Galdós is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. The book is set in the early 19th century against the backdrop of Spain's turbulent political landscape during the period of the Peninsular War, focusing on themes of loyalty, conflict, and personal ambition. The narrative follows the main character, Pepet Armengol, a young sacristan whose aspirations lead him to join the ranks of the realista volunteers fighting for the monarchy. The opening of the novel introduces the city of Solsona, once a notable stronghold but aged and decaying during the story's time. We meet Pepet, a boy from the nearby mountains who has been brought to the convent of San Salomó to serve as a sacristan, inheriting the legacy of his grandfather. Initially filled with dread regarding the convent and its inhabitants, Pepet's character unfolds as he expresses his dream of living a life of valor and freedom as a soldier, clashing with his current subdued existence. Motivated by his longing for a grander destiny, he ultimately decides to take action and enlist to fight as a volunteer for the monarchy, setting the stage for his journey into the chaotic world of war and loyalty.