Jacinto Octavio Picón's Dulce y Sabrosa (Sweet and Savory), published in 1891, is a groundbreaking Spanish novel of the Realist tradition that boldly explores the role of women and the complexities of sexuality in Madrid society. The novel centers on the captivating and intelligent Cristina Guzmán, a woman who defies the rigid moral conventions of her time. Born into a middle-class family and married young to a dull, elderly man, Cristina feels trapped in a life of stifling boredom and unfulfilled passion. After her husband's death, she inherits his fortune and gains a level of independence rare for a woman of her era. She becomes a celebrated figure in Madrid's literary and artistic circles, admired for her wit and beauty. The title refers to her philosophy of life and love; she seeks relationships that are both emotionally fulfilling ("dulce") and physically passionate ("sabrosa"). The narrative follows her relationships with several men, including the sincere but conventional Felipe and the passionate but possessive bullfighter, Juan. Picón uses Cristina's journey to launch a sharp critique of the double standards that governed male and female behavior, portraying his heroine not as a fallen woman, but as a complex individual striving for self-determination. A controversial work in its day for its frank portrayal of female desire, Dulce y Sabrosa remains a powerful and progressive study of a woman's quest for personal and sexual freedom in a patriarchal world.

Table of Contents:

• Dulce y Sabrosa. Part 1

• Dulce y Sabrosa. Part 2

• Dulce y Sabrosa. Part 3

• Dulce y Sabrosa. Part 4

• Dulce y Sabrosa. Part 5