José Mármol Collected editions

José Mármol (1817 – 1871) was an Argentine poet, journalist, and novelist whose Amalia is considered the first Argentine novel. Set during the dictatorship of Juan Manuel de Rosas, it combines romance with political intrigue, portraying the dangers faced by those who opposed the regime.

Written partly in exile, the novel blends melodrama with historical documentation, serving both as a love story and a condemnation of tyranny.

Through Amalia, José Mármol contributed a foundational work to Argentina’s national literature.