
In the sun‑drenched Riviera, a glittering crowd watches a massive military train thunder past the terraced villas of Monte‑Carlo. Amidst the chatter of aristocrats and the distant roar of steel, the Prince declares that “Man’s greatest wisdom consists in getting along without women,” a remark that provokes both amusement and unease. The scene sets a vivid contrast between the leisurely elegance of the elite and the relentless march of war.
The novel unfolds as a sharp, witty examination of the power games between men and women in a world still reeling from conflict. Through lively dialogue and keen observation, the characters reveal the absurdities of masculine bravado and the quiet strength of the women navigating their constrained roles. With a blend of humor and social critique, the story invites listeners to question the true cost of the attitudes that shape society.
Language
en
Duration
~16 hours (969K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images available at The Internet Archive)
Release date
2012-01-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1867–1928
A fiery Spanish novelist and political activist, he turned the landscapes and tensions of Valencia into vivid, sweeping fiction. His international success later carried his stories far beyond Spain, especially through major film adaptations.
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