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This paper aims to show that space in Abelardo Arias' historical fiction (as well as in the rest o his production) plays a central role to fully understand his work. Thus, in Dust and Fear ("Polvo y espanto") this scope is not just a "time atmosphere", typical of any historical novel, but it is worked upon with a clear conscience of its significant power. Our study suggests two possible readings of space: the first is centered on the descriptive elements as true representatives of their historic referents (local color setting); the second, deeper reading, pays attention to the symbolism of space as a revelation of the characters' psychic processes, and of the total meaning of the novel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]