Not easily translated, the Spanish terms "cursi" and "cursiler""i""a" refer to a cultural phenomenon widely prevalent in Spanish society since the nineteenth century. Like "kitsch," cursi evokes the idea of bad taste, but it also suggests one who has pretensions of refinement and elegance without possessing them. In "The Culture of Cursiler""i""a, " Noel Valis examines the social meanings of cursi, viewing it as a window into modern Spanish history and particularly into the development of middle-class culture.

Valis finds evidence in literature, cultural objects, and popular customs...

Not easily translated, the Spanish terms "cursi" and "cursiler""i""a" refer to a cultural phenomenon widely prevalent in Spanish society since the nineteenth century. Like "kitsch," cursi evokes the idea of bad taste, but it also suggests one who has pretensions of refinement and elegance without possessing them. In "The Culture of Cursiler""i""a, " Noel Valis examines the social meanings of cursi, viewing it as a window into modern Spanish history and particularly into the development of middle-class culture.

Valis finds evidence in literature, cultural objects, and popular customs...

Novelist-critic Leopoldo Alas's reputation suffered neglect and silent reproval during much of the twentieth century, especially under the Franco regime, but his reputation has now achieved classic status in Spain. Clearly related to this is the great increase in the number of translations - Julian Barnes called La Regenta 'the foreign classic tardily discovered'. This bibliography picks up where the first one left off in 1984. It is divided into primary material and secondary material. Primary material includes: Anthologies and Selections; Criticism; Novels; Short Story Collections; Plays;...