Los Recursos de la Astucia

by Pío Baroja

"Los Recursos de la Astucia" by Pío Baroja is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around Don Pedro Leguía, who recounts his experiences leading up to the September Revolution, filled with colorful characters and political intrigue. The narrative explores themes of cunning, social dynamics, and the interplay between personal ambitions and historical events in a richly depicted Spanish setting. At the start of the story, Don Pedro Leguía reflects on his life in Madrid, where he feels detached from public and private life due to past political failures and illness. Persuaded by a senator friend to spend time in the quiet pine forests of Cuenca, he encounters various characters, including a curious old woman named Cándida, who leads him to a local undertaker with intriguing stories. As he explores Cuenca, Leguía learns about the turbulent political history of the region and its key figures, establishing a foundation for the intertwining of personal histories with the broader political landscape that follows throughout the novel.