Pío Baroja's 1922 novella is a compact, cynical look at ambition and survival in Madrid's high society. It moves fast and doesn't waste a word.

The Story

We follow Luis Murguía, a young man with expensive tastes and no money. He's a 'dandy'—all about appearances. To keep up his lifestyle, he becomes the companion of Doña Sol, a wealthy, enigmatic older widow. Their arrangement is simple: he provides charming company and a handsome arm to lean on in public, and she funds his life. But nothing is that simple. The story becomes a psychological duel. Is Luis cleverly using Doña Sol, or is he a pawn in her own lonely, powerful game? Every gift and every dinner feels like a move in a chess match.

Why You Should Read It

Baroja isn't interested in romance. He's interested in power. The 'love' in the title is ironic—this is about transaction and strategy. Luis is deeply flawed, but you can't help watching his schemes unfold. Doña Sol is a fantastic, ambiguous character who controls the room without ever raising her voice. What I loved was how current it felt. Swap the carriages for sports cars and it's a story you could see today: the influencer and the benefactor, the hustle for status, and the quiet cost of selling your independence.

Final Verdict

This is perfect for anyone who likes character-driven stories where the real action is beneath the surface. If you enjoy sharp social observation, ambiguous endings, and stories about morally flexible people, you'll devour this. It's a brilliant, bite-sized look at the eternal dance between money, desire, and self-respect.