This book is the third in Galdós's series following the notorious miser, Francisco Torquemada. We've seen him as a ruthless money-lender and watched his social climb. Now, in Torquemada en la cruz, he faces his greatest challenge yet.

The Story

Torquemada has achieved wealth and a shaky position in Madrid's middle class, but his personal life is in shambles. His son, Valentín, a sickly boy he dotes on, is dying. For the first time, Torquemada confronts a problem his money and cunning can't solve. His desperation leads him to make wild bargains with God and man, blurring the lines between his calculating business mind and a father's raw grief. The story watches him squirm under a pressure he never prepared for.

Why You Should Read It

Galdós doesn't give us a simple villain. Torquemada is awful, but watching him grapple with genuine love and helplessness is fascinating. You see the man behind the monster, and it's uncomfortable. The book brilliantly shows how his lifelong habits—hoarding, scheming, exploiting—are useless against real tragedy. It's a sharp, almost cruel, look at what happens when a person's entire worldview cracks.

Final Verdict

Perfect for readers who love complex, morally grey characters and social satire. You don't need to have read the earlier books to jump in, though it helps. If you enjoy stories that explore the messy intersection of money, family, and class without easy answers, this 19th-century novel still feels surprisingly fresh and biting.