This is an annotated critical edition of Artículos de costumbres by the Romantic journalist Mariano José de Larra (1809–37), presented with a critical introduction, study guide, glossary and chronology. Larra is still one of the most widely studied Spanish Romantic authors, and his satire of customs and manners in articles such as El castellano viejo, Vuelva usted mañana and Nochebuena de 1836 offers an insight into nineteenth century Spanish culture, while probing issues that are still seen as defining of Spanish identity today. Artículos de costumbres, presented here with an extensive annotation that identifies references that have not been previously elucidated, is a central text in the Spanish canon, opening up questions about modern Spain and issues such as political revolution, class identities, social change and the inclusion of Spain within European modernity.
