La Regenta
by Leopoldo Alas "Clarín"
Spanish • Public Domain • Free to stream
La Regenta (1884-85) by Leopoldo Alas "Clarín" is Spain's greatest realist novel, often compared to Madame Bovary in its psychological depth. Ana Ozores lives in the fictional provincial city of Vetusta, trapped in an empty marriage, torn between two men — the ambitious canon Fermín de Pas and the libertine aristocrat Álvaro Mesía. Clarín's masterwork exposes the hypocrisy of provincial Spanish society, the corruption of clerical power, and the anguish of a brilliant woman with no escape. Stream in native Spanish with Elvira's voice.
About the book: La Regenta
La Regenta is a realist novel by Spanish author Leopoldo Alas, also known as Clarín, published in two volumes in 1884 and the second completed by April 1885. His critics considered it obscene and irreligious, as well as accusing him of plagiarising Flaubert's Madame Bovary, and the novel was largely forgotten until the end of the twentieth century, when it was recognised as a classic of Spanish literature.
The story is set in the fictional Vetusta, a provincial capital city, where the main character, Ana Ozores, marries the former prime magistrate of the city, Víctor Quintanar. Feeling sentimentally abandoned, Ana lets herself be courted by the province Casanova, Álvaro Mesía, while Don Fermín de Pas also falls in love with her. The author uses the city as a symbol of vulgarity, lack of culture and hypocrisy to narrate a cruel story of Spanish provincial life.
The hometown of La regenta is Oviedo, the capital of Asturias.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is La Regenta free to listen to?
Yes, La Regenta is completely free to stream. No account, no subscription, and no ads required. It is in the public domain.
Who wrote La Regenta?
Leopoldo Alas, known as Clarín (1852-1901), Spanish writer and literary critic from Asturias.
How does it compare to Madame Bovary?
Both novels depict a woman trapped in provincial society seeking escape through passion and spirituality. La Regenta is longer, more complex, and set in Spanish Catholic culture.