Overview of the Spanish Novel and Poetry from 1975 Onwards
Spanish Narrative and Lyric from 1975
Narrative
1. The ’68 Novelists
Coinciding with the rise of the experimental novel, a new generation of storytellers emerged, formed by novelists born and educated during the postwar restrictions. These authors, who experienced the rebellion against Franco in the university protests of ’68, produced initial works influenced by the structural novel models of the sixties. Initially, they diverged from the social novel and championed a novel concept centered on the exploration of structure and language. Subsequently, they tended to address the problems of individuals, isolated from collective realities. From there, they transitioned to a contemplative reflection on the art of the novel, leading them to abandon pure experimentalism and reclaim traditional narrative elements while recalling the achievements of the structural novel.
Authors associated with the second wave of this generation include:
- Eduardo Mendoza (The Truth About the Savolta Case)
- Francisco Umbral (Mortal and Pink)
- José Manuel Caballero Bonald (Campo de Agramonte)
- Fernando Quiñones (El amor de Soledad Acosta)
- José María Merino and Juan José Millás
- Manuel Vázquez Montalbán (who also aligned with this trend)
2. Novel Trends: 1975 to Present
From 1975 to the present, the Spanish novel landscape has become more intricate, showcasing a vast array of subjects and formal qualities. This, combined with a limited temporal perspective, makes it challenging to fully describe the fictional landscape and establish unifying trends. The convergence of four generations, the return of exiled authors (Francisco Ayala and Rosa Chacel), the rise of literary prizes, and the literary boom pose significant obstacles to critical analysis.
The following are the main trends:
- Metafiction: This involves incorporating the narrative itself as a central focus of the story. Examples include: Fragments of Revelation by Gonzalo Torrente Ballester, Wet Paper and Clutter by Juan José Millás, and The Holy Innocents by Miguel Delibes.
- Historical Novel: This trend revisits past historical events from diverse perspectives. Examples include: The Crimson Manuscript by Antonio Gala (Middle Ages), The Fencing Master by Arturo Pérez-Reverte (19th Century), Soldiers of Salamis by Javier Cercas (Civil War), The Frozen Heart by Almudena Grandes (Civil War), and Blind Sunflowers by Alberto Méndez (Civil War).
- A New Generation: A new generation of storytellers born around the seventies appears to be leading a novelistic shift. This includes authors like Agustín Fernández Mallo, Eloy Tizón, Isaac Rosa, Juan Bonilla, Andrés Neuman, and Javier Marías. Additionally, other notable writers include: Hermann Sierra, Vicente Luis Mora, and Javier Calvo.
Lyric
1. Generation ’69: The Novísimos
In 1970, José María Castellet published the anthology Nuevos Poetas Españoles Novisimos, featuring poets like Pere Gimferrer, Leopoldo María Panero, José María Álvarez, Guillermo Carnero, Manuel Vázquez Montalbán, Antonio Martínez Sarrión, Félix de Azúa, Vicente Molina Foix, and Ana María Moix. This group, advocating for a shift in prevailing aesthetic trends, became the first generation of poets born after the Civil War.
The Novísimos introduced a new sensibility rooted in an emerging consumer society that accompanied economic improvements. Educated with new influences (movies, mass media, comics, and music like pop and jazz), these writers traveled abroad frequently, drawn to foreign literature (e.g., the Greek poet C.P. Cavafy).
2. Later Generations of Poets
Following the Novísimos, new trends emerged in Spanish lyric from the ’70s onward:
- Experimental: This trend, exemplified by José Miguel Ullán, employed techniques from older avant-garde movements.
- Culturalist: Poets like Antonio Colinas, Julio Martínez Mesanza, and Aurora Luque demonstrated a vast cultural knowledge in their work.
- Metalinguistic: This trend, characterized by a lack of embellishment and anti-rhetoricism, is represented by poets like Andrés Sánchez Robayna, Jenaro Talens, Jaime Siles, Juan Carlos Suñén, Julia Castillo, and Justo Navarro. They have been referred to as “teacher poets” due to the profession of many of its practitioners.
- Poetry of Consciousness: Poets like Jorge Riechmann, Fernando Beltrán, Enrique Falcón, and Antonio Méndez Rubio conceived of poetry as a form of social and even political action.
- Surrealism: A resurgence of surrealism, characterized by an exuberant eroticism, can be seen in the works of poets like Blanca Andreu and Ana Rossetti.
- Poetry of Experience: This is the most characteristic poetic trend of recent years. It involves a return to certain metrical forms (hendecasyllables and blank verse Alexandrines) combined with the use of everyday language. A gently elegiac tone with ironic and humorous elements is typical. Thematically, the city is prominent, drawn from the poets’ own experiences (often featuring scenes from childhood or adolescence). The language is elaborate and elegant, without excessive rhetoric. Authors who cultivate this poetic line include Luis García Montero, Felipe Benítez Reyes, Miguel d’Ors, Jon Juaristi, Andrés Trapiello, Luis Alberto de Cuenca, Carlos Marzal, and Vicente Gallego.