Doctor Sutilis (Cuentos)

by Leopoldo Alas

"Doctor Sutilis (Cuentos)" by Leopoldo Alas is a collection of short stories written in the early 20th century. The work explores various themes through the lens of its central character, Pablo, a young man torn between dreams and the harsh realities of life, particularly in relation to love, ambition, and societal expectations. The opening of the collection introduces Pablo, now 28 years old and a stockbroker, contrasting sharply with his younger self, a free-spirited dreamer. As his uncle admonishes him for not being practical and for residing in a world of ideals, Pablo reflects on his unending love for Restituta, who is set to marry a captain. The story sets a tone of nostalgia and conflict as Pablo grapples with the shift from a youthful idealism to the responsibilities of adulthood, encapsulating both his emotional turmoil and the expectations placed upon him by family and society.