Mercedes Cabello Llosa de Carbonera was a Peruvian writer. Influenced by positivism and naturalism. She was one of the main the initiators of literary realism in Peruvian novels. She wrote six novels of social content and critical intent, the most successful Blanca Sol, Las consecuencias and El conspirador. She also wrote numerous articles and essays published in Peruvian newspapers on literary and social topics. She especially advocated the emancipation of women, and was one of the first Peruvian feminists. She was a contemporary of Manuel González Prada, who, like Cabello, was a sui generis positivist; and an attendee of Juana Manuela Gorriti's tertulias, which provided her an opportunity to meet other female writers and discuss literature and feminist ideologies. Her literary works Sacrificio y recompensa, Blanca Sol, Las consequencias and El conspirador contain a repeating theme of women portrayed as " helpless, suffering creatures or as fallen heroines." This is another one of her most prominent themes in her writings. Another common topic is her criticism of the pervivan bourgeoisie, Lima's social elites, between 1860-1880.