Las Buenas Conciencias.

Valencia, Spain Circulo de Lectores, 1959. Hardcover First Edition in Spain; First Printing indicated. First Edition in Spain; First Printing indicated. Near Fine: shows only the most minute indications of use: Mild rubbing and faint soiling to the paper-over-boards covers. Binding square and secure; text clean. Very close to 'As New'. NOT a Remainder, Book-Club, or Ex-Library. 12mo. 190pp. Hardback: Lacks DJ. The Good Conscience ("Las Buenas Conciencias" ) is about a young man's moral education. The Good Conscience is Carlos Fuentes's second novel. The scene is Guanajuato, a provincial capital in Central Mexico, once one of the world's richest mining centers. The Ceballos family has been reinstated to power, and adolescent Jaime Ceballos, its only heir, is torn between the practical reality of his family's life and the idealism of his youth and his Catholic education. His father is a good man but weak; his uncle is powerful, yet his actions are inconsistent with his professed beliefs. Jaime's struggle to emerge as a man with a "good conscience" forms the theme of the book: can a rebel correct the evils of an established system and at the same time retain the integrity of his principles? He is raised by his uncle and aunt, who are unable to have children of their own. His uncle is a wealthy but very selfish man, who loves only himself and his high social standing. The boy is encouraged to conform in every way to the family's expectations. The uncle, aunt, and others insist that the boy be religious, but when he takes a strong interest in Christlike behavior, his uncle admonishes him. When the main character becomes friends with a poor, dark-skinned boy, his uncle and aunt criticise him for hanging out with people of no standing. As the young man's childhood is coming to an end, his Indian friend moves away to seek work. Then the boy must decide for himself whether he is to be like the hypocritical adults, or live his life with integrity.