This 19C romantic novel is set in Spain “THE CITY OF THE DISCREET YOUTH AND EGOLATRYCAESAR OR NOTHINGTHE QUESTWEEDS”In keeping with Spanish literary tradition, Baroja often wrote in a pessimistic, picaresque style. While young, Baroja believed loosely in anarchism, like others in the '98 Generation. He later admired men of action, similar to Nietzsche's superman. Catholics and traditionalists denounced him, and his life was at risk during the Spanish Civil War