Masterpieces of 20th-Century Spanish Literature
The Family of Pascual Duarte (1942) by Camilo José Cela
This tragic tale explores the life of Pascual Duarte, a man seemingly destined for a life of crime. Cela connects the narrative to a popular tradition of crime stories reminiscent of Pío Baroja’s work, yet employs a unique narrative structure. Written in the first person, the story immerses the reader in Duarte’s perspective, revealing the contradictions and inconsistencies within his confession. The work’s lyricism reflects the Galician tradition, highlighting the close relationship between the landscape and its people.
Five Hours With Mario by Miguel Delibes
Carmen finds her husband, Mario, dead one morning. Throughout the day, friends and family visit, while Carmen reflects on their life together. She rereads underlined passages from Mario’s Bible, revealing their contrasting values and perspectives. Carmen valued personal and family matters, while Mario prioritized societal issues. The play concludes as the family prepares to take Mario to the cemetery.
The Hive by Camilo José Cela
Set in post-war Madrid, The Hive paints a raw and realistic portrait of a struggling society. Cela uses a unique language to depict the interconnected lives of a multitude of characters over three days. The novel focuses on the impoverished and marginalized, highlighting their loneliness, desperation, and struggle for survival. Cela critiques the social realities of the time, exploring themes of violence, sex, and despair.
Nothing (1945) by Carmen Laforet
This autobiographical novel follows Andrea, an eighteen-year-old who moves to Barcelona for university and lives with relatives. Initially intrigued by her family, she soon discovers their eccentricities and struggles. Seeking refuge in her university friends, Andrea eventually finds solace in Ena’s friendship. Andrea’s year in Barcelona becomes a journey of self-discovery and a step towards adulthood, marked by rebellion against societal expectations and the constraints of Francoist ideology.
Historia de una escalera by Antonio Buero Vallejo
This play examines Spanish society, highlighting its injustices, lies, and violence. It portrays the frustration and powerlessness of the working class, trapped in a cycle of poverty. The characters embody the stagnation and false promises of a system that fails to provide solutions. The play’s setting, a building’s staircase, symbolizes the immobility of post-war society, where the majority lack opportunities for advancement.
¡Ay, Carmela! by José Sanchis Sinisterra
Set during the Spanish Civil War, this play follows Carmela and Paulino, two actors captured by Franco’s forces. Ordered to perform a show mocking the Republic, Carmela subverts the parody, leading to her execution. Paulino, left alone, finds solace in alcohol and visits from Carmela’s spirit. The play unfolds as a flashback, revealing the memories of both characters.
Peach in Syrup by Miguel Mihura
This comedic parody follows a group of robbers who hide stolen jewels in a potted plant. When one robber falls ill, a nun arrives as a nurse, uncovering their scheme and keeping the stolen money. The play satirizes the robbers’ incompetence and the nun’s cleverness.