So, you pick up a book by Galdós, a giant of Spanish literature, and you might expect a huge, complex novel about society. 'Miséricorde' is something else. It's focused, intense, and happens mostly in one house.

The Story

The story follows Felipe, a man who is pretty fed up with life and people. Out of a twisted sense of obligation, he takes in a distant, sick relative named Josefa. He doesn't love her; he barely likes her. He's doing it because he thinks he *should*. The whole book lives in the tension of that sickroom. We watch Felipe's annoyance, his reluctant care, and his slow, grudging change as he's faced with another person's suffering day after day. It’s a story about the heavy weight of a good deed done for all the wrong reasons.

Why You Should Read It

This book got under my skin. Galdós is a master at showing you a character's soul through the smallest actions—a sigh, a moment of hesitation before entering the room. Felipe isn't a hero. He's often unlikeable. But his struggle feels painfully real. Is he becoming a better person, or is he just trapped? The book asks hard questions about compassion: Does it count if you don't feel it in your heart? If you act kindly out of sheer stubbornness, does it still matter?

Final Verdict

Perfect for readers who love character studies and don't need a fast plot. If you enjoy sitting with complicated, flawed people and watching them slowly change (or not change), you'll love this. It’s a short, powerful punch of a novel that proves a story about two people in a room can be as gripping as any epic.