Post-Civil War Spanish Novel: Realism, Existentialism, and Experimentation

Spanish Narrative After the Civil War (1936–1960s)

The Civil War marked a profound change in Spanish cultural life. In the narrative, some types of novels disappeared, and a large number of writers were forced into exile. The post-Civil War novel experienced a stage of disorientation, moving toward the existential in the forties, shifting to a social stage in the fifties, and finally setting out in search of new formal channels in the sixties.

The Years of Convalescence (1939–1942)

The stage between 1939 and 1942 has been called by Martínez Cachero the “years of convalescence,” characterized by aesthetic and cultural disorientation. The author highlighted during this period is Miguel Delibes. His work is prolific, encompassing novels, travel books, and essays, addressing varied themes and styles. One of his best novels is Five Hours with Mario.

The Rise of Social Realism (The 1950s)

The social and political situation of the fifties contributed significantly to the development of a new novel. The dominant current in Spanish narrative was Social Realism, which aimed to translate the reality of the moment with a desire to criticize and denounce. The language employed was simple. To reflect this reality, novelists often chose between two streams of approach.

Alternative Voices in the Fifties

In addition to Social Realism, this period saw other novelists who turned away from the dominant aesthetic, such as Álvaro Cunqueiro, whose work is characterized by the use of imagination and fantasy, notably in works like Merlin and Family.

The most prominent author of the novel of the fifties is Camilo José Cela. His work is extensive; besides novels, he also wrote poetry, essays, and travel books. One of his best works, which internationally consolidated him as a novelist, is The Hive.

The Experimental Novel (The 1960s)

In the novel of the sixties, fatigue with Social Realism was noticed, and literature directed itself toward new formal ways. This trend has been called Experimental Literature. Its main features include:

• The argument loses its importance.
• The action is minimal.
• The characters are reduced.
• The focus shifts to the protagonist's internal life.
• The space becomes inaccurate.
• The structure becomes complicated.
• The omniscient narrator oscillates between being objective or adopting new techniques.
• The language is complicated.