70 Years of Narrative: A Look at Spanish Literature After Franco

Posted on Oct 11, 2024 in Latin

The Post-Franco Literary Boom

After General Franco’s death, Spanish literature experienced a resurgence. The end of censorship, the recovery of exiled writers’ works, and increased exposure to international narratives significantly contributed to this growth. In the 1970s, authors continued to explore intellectual and experimental novels, often prioritizing how content was presented over the plot itself. Fragmented stories and interior monologues became prevalent. This period gave rise to the generation of 1975 (or 1968), featuring authors like Eduardo Mendoza, Félix de Azúa, Juan José Millás, Vicente Molina Foix, Soledad Puértolas, and Adelaida García Morales.

Key Developments in Post-Franco Literature

  1. Most authors publishing between 1968 and 1975 opposed the Franco regime.
  2. With the arrival of democracy, novels became more accessible and gained popularity.
  3. Many authors returned to traditional storytelling reminiscent of the Generation of ’98.
  4. New subgenres emerged, including detective stories, thrillers, science fiction, adventure, romance, and espionage.

The market’s influence on literature grew, leading to a focus on commercial success.

Significant Aspects of the Modern Spanish Novel

Two key aspects define the Spanish novel in the last thirty years:

  1. Diversity: It encompasses a wide range of trends, styles, themes, and personal experiences.
  2. Individuality: Each writer cultivates a unique style to express their personal vision and worldview.

Recent decades have seen contributions from:

  1. Prominent post-war novelists like Delibes, Cela, and Torrente Ballester.
  2. Novelists of the “Generation of ’50,” such as Juan Goytisolo, Juan Marsé, and Carmen Martín Gaite.
  3. Novelists of the “Generation of ’75,” many of whom are still active, along with newer writers who emerged after Franco, including Manuel Vicent and Julio Llamazares.

Thematic Trends

  • Detective Fiction and Intrigue: This subgenre experienced a resurgence, with notable authors like Manuel Vázquez Montalbán.
  • Historical Novel: Examples include Gold of Dreams by José María Merino, The Heretic by Miguel Delibes, and Arturo Pérez-Reverte’s Captain Alatriste series. Recent historical novels often focus on local events, particularly the Spanish Civil War, as seen in Javier Cercas’ Soldiers of Salamis.
  • Intimate and Reflective Fiction: This narrative style emphasizes personal exploration and reflection on existence, exemplified by Francisco Umbral’s Mortal and Pink.
  • Memory and Testimony: This trend explores generational memory and social commitment, with works like Rosa Montero’s I Treat Her Like a Queen.
  • Realism: Some authors returned to traditional storytelling after the experimental period, including Luís Mateo Díez and Luis Landero.
  • Culturalist Fiction: Young writers emerged who analyze and explain aspects of Western culture.
  • Urban Youth: Another trend focuses on the problems of urban youth.

Prominent Novelists

Eduardo Mendoza

Mendoza’s The Truth About the Savolta Case is considered a starting point for the new Spanish narrative. It combines experimental techniques with a captivating police procedural plot.

Javier Marías

Marías’ work explores obsessive themes like personal identity and the nature of time.

Antonio Muñoz Molina

Muñoz Molina combines meticulous storytelling with engaging plots, showcasing a rich and carefully paced prose style, as seen in Winter in Lisbon.

Main Currents of the Novel from 1975

  • Thriller: Adapted from American models, this genre gained popularity with works like Manuel Vázquez Montalbán’s The Man from Lisbon and Winter in Lisbon.
  • Historical Novel: This genre thrived in the 1980s, with works like Arturo Pérez-Reverte’s Captain Alatriste series offering realistic portrayals of the past and reflections on universal human problems. Stories about the Spanish Civil War and its aftermath also gained prominence.
  • Metafiction: These novels focus on the creative writing process itself, often featuring writers as protagonists, such as Juan García Hortelano’s Grammar of Brown.
  • Intimate Novel: These stories explore the anxieties and personal problems of middle-aged individuals in contemporary urban settings.
  • Testimonial Novel: Authors address social issues through realistic narratives, such as Rosa Montero’s I Treat Her Like a Queen (feminism) and Heroes in Ray Ban Sunglasses (youth).
  • Experimental Novel: This current had fewer titles, with examples like Miguel Espinosa’s Thorny Tribe of Mandarins and A Swindler.

Representative Novelists

  • Manuel Vázquez Montalbán: Primarily known for his thrillers influenced by film noir and American crime fiction.
  • Eduardo Mendoza: His The Truth About the Savolta Case marked a turning point in Spanish narrative, incorporating elements of intrigue.
  • Luis Mateo Díez: His works range from memorial stories to novels like Provincial Herbs.
  • Almudena Grandes: Known for her erotic novel The Ages of Lulu and narratives exploring bourgeois relationships.
  • Javier Marías: Combines storytelling with cultural references, reflections on the past, and rich character development.
  • Antonio Muñoz Molina: Draws inspiration from detective novels and film to create intriguing stories.
  • Arturo Pérez-Reverte: His experience as a war reporter informs works like the Captain Alatriste series, based on historical research and classic literature.
  • Lucía Etxebarria: Explores themes such as the situation of women.