Mist
Miguel de Unamuno · 1864–1936 · Spain
Originally Niebla (Spanish)
Why it matters
A heartbroken man travels to Salamanca to confront the author writing his story and beg not to be killed off. Unamuno's 'nivola' turns metafiction into a genuine existentialist argument about free will and mortality.
At a glance
postmodernphilosophical novelexistentialist
Difficulty 6/10medium pace200 pagesMetafictional argument between author and character demands philosophical attention.
Deep dive
What happens when a suicidal man travels to Salamanca to beg his own author for his life — and why Unamuno lets him ask.
Where to go next
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