20th Century Extremaduran Literature: Authors & Eras
Crisis of ’98 to Civil War Literature
Writers in this era, like the regionalists José María Gabriel y Galán, utilized an idealized picture of rural life in conservative literature. It’s a style focused on specific themes and authorial intention. Most notably, Luis Chamizo began to use el Castúo in his works. A. Reyes Huertas‘ prose emphasizes a conservative image of Extremadura, with customs resistant to change. As a writer of Regeneracionismo and the Generation of ’98, Felipe Trigo denounced the social situation of his time and rural life in his works.
Literature During the Dictatorship
The Civil War and the establishment of Franco’s military dictatorship led to the exile of writers from Extremadura, such as Arturo Barea and Enrique Díaz-Canedo. In Extremadura, significant economic problems resulted in a lack of publications, censorship, and monitoring. Social realism attracted most regional novelists, like José María Sanz or Cándido.
Literature Since Democracy (1970s Onwards)
From the 1970s onwards, important events occurred in Extremadura, such as the creation of the university and the approval of the Statute of Autonomy. This coincided with the work of publishers and the appearance of initiatives and anthologies aiming to highlight literature’s influence on reality.
Key Poets
- José María Santiago Castelo
- Gregorio González Perlado
- Víctor Chamorro
- Felipe Núñez
These poets moved away from protest poetry towards a purer form. In narrative, José María Gabriel y Galán is mentioned with “Memoria Cautiva y Muchos Años Después”. The most famous playwright is Miguel Murillo with “Perfume de Mimosas”.
Contemporary Extremaduran Literature
This recent period lacks defined generations yet. The most prominent authors include:
Prose
- Luis Landero: “Juegos de la edad tardía”
- Dulce Chacón: “Cielos de barro”
- Javier Cercas: “Soldados de Salamina”
Poetry
- Álvaro Valverde: “Detención del agua”
- Diego Doncel
- Basilio Sánchez
- Ada Salas
Criticism and Bibliography
- Enrique Díaz-Canedo
- José López Prudencio
- Antonio Rodríguez-Moñino