Narrative Trends in Spanish Literature: From Postwar to the Present
1. Postwar Period (1940s-1970s)
1.1. The 1940s
The postwar novel emerged in 1942 with Camilo José Cela’s The Family of Pascual Duarte. This period was characterized by a sense of alarmism, reflected in the appearance of characters such as criminals, individuals with intellectual disabilities, and prostitutes in literature. Other successful novels of this time include Mariona Rebull by Ignacio Agusti and Nada by Carmen Laforet.
1.2. The 1950s
The 1950s saw the rise of social realism, characterized by:
- Open structures and the emergence of the “antinovel.”
- A shift from individual heroes to collective protagonists.
- An attempt to depict the realities of Spanish society.
- The influence of foreign narrative techniques.
Within social realism, two main trends emerged:
- Objectivism (or neorealism): Novelists aimed to “film” reality, presenting it to readers as it was and allowing them to draw their own conclusions.
- Critical Realism: Novelists sought to awaken readers’ consciences and denounce social injustices.
1.3. The 1960s
Luis Martín Santos’s Time of Silence (1962) marked the beginning of a new cycle. The focus shifted from collective protagonists to individual characters. While characters came from diverse economic, social, and cultural backgrounds, they were interconnected and victims of their circumstances. This period also saw a renewed emphasis on formal aspects of the novel, incorporating techniques from European and American literature. Protagonists often embodied the struggle of the individual against society.
1.4. From the 1970s to the Present
The novel of the 1970s continued to push boundaries, embracing experimentalism. However, some authors, having assimilated these innovations, rediscovered the power of imagination and fantasy in their works.
2. Key Authors
2.1. Camilo José Cela
Influenced by classic literature and the philosopher José Ortega y Gasset, Cela developed a unique literary style known as “carpetovetónico,” blending hyperbole and realism. His debut novel, The Family of Pascual Duarte (1942), set during the Spanish Civil War, reflects the pessimistic atmosphere of the time. The novel, narrated in the first person by the peasant Pascual Duarte, is filled with violence and explores how the rural environment shapes his actions.
Cela further explored this bleak realism in The Hive (1951), a fragmented portrayal of postwar Madrid. The novel presents a series of interconnected vignettes, depicting the lives of various characters struggling with hunger, fear, and hypocrisy. Other notable works by Cela include Mrs. Caldwell Speaks to Her Son (1953), San Camilo, 1936 (1969), Five Hours with Mario (1966), and Mazurka for Two Dead (1983).
2.2. Juan Marse
Juan Marse began his literary career in 1958, publishing short stories in magazines. After receiving early recognition for his work, he moved to Paris in 1959, working as a teacher, translator, and laboratory assistant. Upon returning to Barcelona in 1962, he published This Side of the Moon, a novel he later disavowed.
Marse’s breakthrough came in 1970 with The Dark History of Cousin Montse, a novel that established the key themes and style of his later work. He achieved international acclaim in the 1990s, winning prestigious awards for novels such as The Bilingual Lover (1990) and The Shanghai Spell (1993). Several of his works have been adapted for film and theater.
2.3. Miguel Delibes
Miguel Delibes was known for his deep connection to his native Castile, a region that permeates his writing. His novels often explore themes of death, childhood, nature, and human relationships. His characters, often children or the elderly, are portrayed with tenderness and empathy.
Delibes’s debut novel, The Shadow of the Cypress is Long (1948), delves into existential themes of anguish and isolation. The Road (1950), narrated from the perspective of a young boy on the cusp of adolescence, captures the bittersweet transition from childhood to adulthood. Other notable works include The Red Leaf (1959), Rats (1962), and Five Hours with Mario (1966).
Delibes’s later novels continued to engage with social and political issues. The Wars of Our Fathers (1975) revisits the Spanish Civil War, while The Disputed Vote of Mr. Cayo (1978) addresses the challenges of rural depopulation. His final novel, The Holy Innocents (1998), offers a poignant portrayal of social oppression in rural Spain.