Trafalgar by Benito Pérez Galdós. Benito Pérez Galdós, one of Spain’s greatest novelists, was nominated several times for the Nobel Prize in Literature. However, the prize was never awarded to him, likely because of political considerations, despite the international recognition of his work.
Galdós was a contemporary of Dostoevsky. Although their literary styles differ, I sense a subtle resemblance between them, perhaps in the pacing and in their shared focus on social and moral questions. I especially enjoy Galdós’s unhurried rhythm, which gives ample space for the gradual development of his characters. Some readers complain that the novel is slow, but for me, the pace is deeply rewarding.
The Battle of Trafalgar has appeared in many literary works, but this is the first time I have encountered it told from a Spanish perspective. That makes it especially meaningful, since I can enjoy Galdós’s writing in the original language, something I cannot do with Dostoevsky.
The novel begins shortly before the famous naval clash of 1805, when Napoleon was planning to invade Britain. Although Spain had initially tried to maintain neutrality, Napoleon pressured the Spanish crown into supporting him, demanding money, ships, and eventually alliance. The result was the joint Franco-Spanish fleet’s disastrous defeat by Admiral Nelson off Cape Trafalgar, a battle that secured Britain’s naval supremacy for the rest of the Napoleonic Wars.
The story is narrated through Gabriel, a young orphan who earns his living as a servant in the household of Don Alonso, a retired naval officer living in Medina Sidonia, near Cádiz. Gabriel forms close ties with Alonso, his wife Francisca, and their daughter Rosita.
Another frequent presence in the household is Marcial, a former sailor who had once served under Alonso’s command. Marcial is the very image of the hardened man of the sea: he has one eye, a wooden leg, and even half an arm missing. His conversations with Alonso are full of energy and nostalgia for their past adventures, much to Francisca’s annoyance, which creates moments of comedy. The lively humor between the aging comrades, countered by the wife’s exasperation, is one of the book’s delights.
Meanwhile, Gabriel secretly harbors feelings for Rosita. But Rosita is already engaged to a young artillery officer, who is suddenly called to Cádiz as war looms once again.
Eventually, Alonso and Marcial, eager to relive their days of glory, decide to join the Franco-Spanish fleet preparing to confront the English. One day, slipping away from Alonso’s disapproving wife, they take young Gabriel with them and head for Cádiz, where they embark on a ship bound for battle.
Only a few days later, at sea, the great clash begins. Although the Franco-Spanish fleet had numerical superiority, Admiral Nelson’s English navy decisively crushed them, sinking or capturing many ships, killing thousands, and taking countless prisoners. In the chaos, our three companions survive the initial assault but watch helplessly as their own vessel is seized by the enemy.
Alonso, Marcial, and Gabriel survive the fighting, but their ship falls into British hands and they are made prisoners of war. A violent storm then strikes the already battered vessel, forcing the men to abandon ship. Transferred to a smaller boat, they struggle against the sea. In a desperate moment, Alonso seizes a weapon and briefly regains control of the situation. Marcial, however, succumbs to his wounds. Alonso and Gabriel, barely alive, eventually manage to reach the Spanish coast.
The battle scene is described with extraordinary detail, from the opening provocations to the chaos of total destruction, with blood and dismemberment vividly portrayed. Galdós shows how human beings are pushed to their absolute limits in the midst of mortal combat. He even depicts the warships as if they were living creatures, monstrous beings with their own will to fight and to kill. The result is a profoundly intense and unforgettable reading experience.
The novel concludes with Gabriel returning to Cádiz, where he reunites with his master and decides to continue his life at sea. This ending serves as the beginning of a larger narrative, since Galdós went on to write a whole series of novels that follow Gabriel’s life and adventures.