Spanish Novel Evolution: From Social Critique to Contemporary Realism

The Spanish Novel of the 1960s: Social Witness

Although the content focuses on social class, major developments include an intellectual revision of reality and a major renovation of narrative techniques. Irony and humor are the means used to show the problems of Spanish society. The existential and symbolic tone marks the contents of a novel that reflects a society and an empty existence. Key characteristics include its innovative character, lexical richness, and the use of religious vocabulary.

Authors of the First Post-War Promotion (The 1950s)

• Camilo José Cela: San Camilo
• Miguel Delibes: Five Hours with Mario
• Gonzalo Torrente Ballester: The Joys and Shadows

Novelists of the Mid-Century Generation

• Juan Goytisolo: Signs of Identity
• Juan Benet: I'll Return to Region
• Juan Marsé: Last Evenings with Teresa

The Novel After the Arrival of Democracy

The most important characteristics of the Generation of '68 are:

• Evolution toward traditional forms of narrative, where the story becomes important.
• Organization of the plot often incorporating minor genres.
• Deviation from social and political commitment.
• Human problems addressed from the perspective of individuality.
• Thematic treatment that imparts a feeling of disappointment, though the tone is often jovial and humorous.

Case Study: Eduardo Mendoza's The Savolta Case

Eduardo Mendoza's The Truth of the Case Savolta was a key novel and a great success due to its clear argument and well-defined characters. It introduced diverse technical resources, such as:

• The mix of narrative materials.
• Chronological disorder.
• Parody of other genres.
• Stylistic variety of registers.

The narrative tendencies of these authors are still alive in the modern novel and are affirmed by the writings of the Eighties Generation, including authors like Javier Marías and Rosa Montero.

Characteristics of the Contemporary Spanish Novel

The novel is characterized by the use of traditional narrative forms and the importance attached to the story, often to the detriment of other literary requirements. In general, simple narratives predominate, in which the novelist aims only to tell stories of a realistic nature.