20th-Century Spanish Literature: From Novecento to Experimentalism
The Novecento (Generation of ’98)
The Novecento, also known as the Generation of ’98, was a literary group that emerged in Spain following the Spanish-American War of 1898. This group of writers shared a new sensibility, optimistic vitality, and a desire for modernization and Europeanization. Their narrative style was characterized by:
- Rejection of sentimentality
- A sense of balance and clarity
- Emphasis on selection and a minority spirit
- Intellectualism and the ideal of pure art
Key Figures of the Novecento:
- Essayists: Eugenio d’Ors, José Ortega y Gasset, Gregorio Marañón, Américo Castro, Manuel García Morente
- Novelists: Gabriel Miró, Ramón Pérez de Ayala, Ramón Gómez de la Serna, Benjamín Jarnés
Gabriel Miró (1879-1930): Miró’s novels are known for their detailed descriptions of the Levantine landscape. His major works include Cherries in the Cemetery, Our Father San Daniel, and The Leper Bishop.
Ramón Pérez de Ayala (1880-1954): Ayala’s works often critiqued social institutions and prejudices. Notable examples include AMDG (a critique of Jesuit education), Belarmino and Apolonio (exploring philosophical perspectives), and Tiger Juan (examining the concept of honor).
Ramón Gómez de la Serna (1880-1963): A key figure in the Spanish avant-garde, Gómez de la Serna was known for his innovative literary forms, such as the “greguerías” (short, witty observations). His novels often tackled taboo subjects like sex and death, as seen in The White and Black Widow, The Fifth of Palmyra, and Women of Amber.
Benjamín Jarnés (1888-1949): Jarnés’s novels often incorporated autobiographical elements and explored themes of freedom and the enjoyment of life, as seen in Madness and Death of Anyone, Paula and Paulita, and others.
The Novel After the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)
The 1940s
The Spanish Civil War had a profound impact on literature. Writers in the 1940s faced the challenge of creating a new literary tradition, moving away from pre-war realism and the avant-garde. The post-war period saw a return to realism, with a focus on social concerns and narrative technique.
Literary Trends of the 1940s:
- “Nationalist” Novel: This trend reflected the traditional values of the victors of the war.
- Fantastic and Humorous Novel: This trend offered an escape from the harsh realities of post-war Spain, as seen in Wenceslao Fernández Flórez’s The Forest (1944).
- Traditional Realism: This trend drew inspiration from 19th-century realism and depicted the declining bourgeois society. Authors like Juan Antonio de Zunzunegui (The Death Ship, The Bankruptcy) and Ignacio Agustí (Mariona Rebull, Widower Rius) exemplified this style.
- Tremendismo: This trend, spearheaded by Camilo José Cela, offered a stark and often grotesque portrayal of Spanish social reality. Cela’s The Family of Pascual Duarte is a key example. He later moved away from Tremendismo and explored new narrative paths in works like The Hive (a pessimistic vision of post-war Madrid) and travel books like Journey to the Alcarria and Jews, Moors, and Christians.
Other Notable Novelists of the 1940s:
- Carmen Laforet: Her novel Nada, published shortly after the war, achieved significant success.
The 1950s
The 1950s saw the continuation of realism with an intensified focus on social issues. Literature aimed to raise awareness among readers.
Literary Trends of the 1950s:
- Social Realism: Works like The Pickaxe, Mine, and Ditch exemplified this trend.
- Neorealism: Influenced by Italian Neorealism, American behaviorism, and objectivism, this trend explored existential themes and social problems affecting individuals, such as loneliness. Works like The Light and the Blood and The Brave fall under this category.
The 1960s
The 1960s witnessed the introduction of new narrative techniques in the Spanish novel:
- Multiple Narrative Perspectives: Stories were told through the viewpoints of different characters, offering a multifaceted view of events.
- Disruption of Temporal Linearity: Subjective and objective time were blended, creating non-linear narratives through flashbacks and other techniques.
- Interior Monologue: This technique allowed for deep exploration of characters’ inner thoughts and feelings.
Key Figure of the 1960s:
- Luis Martín-Santos: His novels Time of Silence, Identity, and Five Hours with Mario incorporated these new techniques while addressing the social realities of Spain.
The 1970s
The 1970s saw the rise of experimentalism in the Spanish novel:
- Experimentalism: Authors like Gonzalo Torrente Ballester (The Saga/Flight of J.B.) and Juan Benet (Return to Región) pushed the boundaries of narrative form and style.
- Detective Novel: This genre blended crime investigation with historical reconstruction and social criticism. Eduardo Mendoza’s The Truth About the Savolta Case and many of Manuel Vázquez Montalbán’s novels exemplify this trend.
Other Notable Novelists of the 1970s and Beyond:
- Antonio Muñoz Molina
- Julio Llamazares
- Almudena Grandes