Why is Mariano Azuela's The Underdogs considered a major novel of the Mexican Revolution?

Mariano Azuela's The Underdogs (Los de abajo) is considered a major novel of the Mexican Revolution because it was the first to provide a contemporary, unsentimental, and harsh depiction of the conflict. Written in 1915 while Azuela served as an army doctor under Pancho Villa, the novel captures the chaotic, action-packed reality of the revolution from the perspective of those involved.12

The work is distinguished by its portrayal of the revolution's futility, featuring characters who appear driven by superior forces, much like in Classical tragedy. By moving away from romanticized narratives and instead presenting a world of wanton cruelty, Azuela established a new standard for Latin American fiction. Although it initially received little notice, its 1924 discovery led to widespread influence on subsequent novelists of social protest, securing its place as a foundational text in the literary history of the region.21