Martínez Ruiz, José

Martínez Ruiz, José hōsāˈ märtēˈnĕth ro͞oēthˈ [key], 1873?–1967, Spanish writer. He often used the pseudonym Azorín. A political radical in the 1890s, he moved steadily to the right. In literature Martínez exemplified the Generation of '98 (a term he coined), especially in his attempt to define the eternal qualities of Spanish life. His essays and criticism are written in a simple, compact style. Particularly notable are his impressionistic descriptions of Castilian towns and landscape. Among his many other works are the autobiographical novels La voluntad (1902) and Antonio Azorín (1903); the novel Don Juan (1922, tr. 1923); and a collection of short stories (1929, tr. 1931).

See studies by L. A. LaJohn (1961) and K. Glenn (1981).

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