Post-Civil War Spanish Literature: Authors and Key Works

Spain during this period was under an authoritarian government led by Francisco Franco. It created a one-party structure that brought together the victors. This led to a temporary isolation of the country. However, Spain was accepted into the UN in the early 1950s, an event that marked a breakthrough.

Novels written by exiled authors showed nostalgia for the lost homeland. Prominent authors of this time include:

• Francisco Ayala: His works, such as *The Usurpers* and *Death of a Dog*, and *At the Bottom of the Glass*, all share a common theme: the Civil War.
• Max Aub: Leaning towards realism, he wrote *Valverde's House* and *Fields*, also with the Civil War as a theme.
• Ramón J. Sender: His work *Requiem for a Spanish Peasant* depicts the relationship between a farmer and a priest caught up in the Civil War. Other works include *Magnet* and *Chronicles of Dawn*.

The Post-War Novel (1940s)

The post-war novel is realistic, without any rhetoric. The trend of the 1940s was *tremendismo*, initiated by Camilo José Cela with *The Family of Pascual Duarte*. *Tremendismo* can be defined as an exaggerated, extreme naturalism, usually set in rural areas.

Featured Authors of the 1940s:

• Camilo José Cela: The most important Spanish novelist from the post-war period to the present day, he has a large literary output and was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1989. One of his most important works is *The Family of Pascual Duarte*, which tells the brutal story of a murderer who tries to justify his crimes. This work mixes violence with tenderness. It is the most translated Spanish book after *Don Quixote*, and its second edition was censored. Also noteworthy is his work *The Hive*, where dozens of imaginary characters parade through post-war Madrid. The author reflects the current reality, where the only concerns were food and sex. *Journey to the Alcarria* is also significant.
• Carmen Laforet: Her first book, *Nada*, won the Nadal Prize and had a great impact. It is a novel written in the first person about the world of Andrea, the protagonist, who settles with her family to pursue university studies. Also notable are *The Island and the Demons* and *The New Woman*.
• Gonzalo Torrente Ballester: He has an abundant and diverse narrative work. His most important work is *Javier Mariño*, which recounts the relationship between a young supporter of the right and a communist. Other works include *The Joys and Shadows*, set in Galicia, and *Offside*, set in Madrid at the time.

The Novel of the 1950s

The novel of the 1950s is characterized by the use of more common language, humble characters, and a great influence from American novelists.

Featured Authors of the 1950s:

• Miguel Delibes: Nadal Prize winner. Works: *The Long Shadow of the Cypress*, *The Way*, *Five Hours with Mario*.
• Carmen Martín Gaite: Works: *Between Curtains*, *Variable Cloudiness*, and *Leaving Home*.
• Ana María Matute: The least neorealist of the group. *First Memory*, *Forgotten King Gudú*.
• Juan Goytisolo: Committed to politics. *Mourning in Paradise*, *The Place of the Sites*.
• Juan Marsé: Works: *Last Evenings with Teresa*, *They Say I Fell*.
• Rafael Sánchez Ferlosio: *Jarama*.
• Ignacio Aldecoa: *The Rage and the Blood*, *The Great Sun*.

The Novel of the 1960s

The novel of the 1960s was characterized by a renovating, fragmented, and disordered structure. The themes included more complex arguments, absurd elements, and fantastic elements.

Key Author of the 1960s:

• Luis Martín-Santos: *Time of Silence*, which tells the story of a scientist involved in an obscure event.