The Spanish Novel: Evolution From 1920 to 1970
The Spanish Novel: 1920-1970
Post-War Literature (1940s)
The post-Civil War period in Spain (1940s) was marked by cultural disorientation, international isolation, famine, political repression, and censorship. Two main types of novels emerged during this time:
Novel of the Civil War
These novels focused on the ideological and physical aspects of the Spanish Civil War. They were characterized by:
- Passionate and partisan authors
- Idealized characters (heroes or villains)
- Newspaper-report-like techniques
Authors: Ricardo Fernández de la Reguera (“The Prone Gunman”), Rafael García Serrano (“Eugene”), Arturo Barea (“The Forging of a Rebel”).
Existentialist Novel
These novels explored existential angst and the struggle for life in a society marked by loneliness, frustration, and death, often focusing on the most sordid social environments.
Authors: Carmen Laforet (“Nada”), Camilo José Cela (“The Family of Pascual Duarte”), Miguel Delibes (“The Shadow of the Cypress is Long”), Ignacio Agustí (“Mariona Rebull”).
Social Realism (1950s)
The 1950s saw a shift towards social realism with a degree of political liberalization. Novels began to take on an informative and critical function, reflecting the existential angst of Spanish life. Key features include:
- Collective characters replacing individual protagonists
- Simultaneity of events instead of linear timelines
- Minimalist descriptions
- Focus on dialogue and actions
- Colloquial and realistic language
- Themes of social complaint and living conditions
Important novels that opened this cycle include: “The Hive” by Camilo José Cela, “La Noria” by Luis Romero, and “Last Hours” by Suárez Carreño.
The Boom Years and Beyond (1960s & 1970s)
The 1960s
The economic boom and the Marshall Plan brought changes in lifestyle and literary expression. Novelists sought to capture the global meaning of Spanish society through technical and formal experimentation, including:
- Authorial presence in the novel
- Confrontation of social strata
- Exploration of diverse environments and situations
Authors: Juan Marsé (“Últimas tardes con Teresa”), Luis Martín-Santos (“Time of Silence”), Miguel Delibes (“Five Hours with Mario”), Juan Goytisolo (“Count Julian”), Camilo José Cela (“San Camilo 1936”).
The 1970s
The 1970s saw a diversification of trends, including:
- Thriller: Adapted from American models to Spanish culture (e.g., works by Manuel Vázquez Montalbán and Antonio Muñoz Molina’s “Winter in Lisbon”).
- Historical Novel: Critical re-examination of past events (e.g., Arturo Pérez-Reverte’s “Captain Alatriste”).
- Metafiction: Focus on the creative writing process (the “novel of the novel”).
- Intimate Novel: Exploration of personal problems of middle-aged individuals in urban settings.
- Testimonial Novel: Realistic stories addressing social problems.
- Experimental Novel: Pushing the boundaries of form and language (e.g., Miguel Espinosa’s “The School of Mandarins” and “The Lying Tribe”).