Spanish Literature: Civil War to 1975 and Beyond

Introduction

Spanish literature production during the Civil War was scarce and tended to serve the interests of each side. These works were often urgent and of poor quality. The conflict caused a deep cut with the earlier tradition. After the war, Spanish intellectuals like Pérez de Ayala, Jarnés, and Francisco Ayala Sender, who supported the Republic, were forced into exile or faced death.

Young novelists at the beginning of the 1940s found themselves in a depleted atmosphere. Censorship was imposed not only on young artists but also on any work, past or present, that opposed the regime's ideals.

This period also includes the production of exiled writers after the war, with their reflections on Spain, the Civil War, and its aftermath.

Some notable authors from this era include Ramon J. Sender with Chronicle of Dawn, Max Aub with Magical Labyrinth, Rosa Chacel with No Reason, and Francisco Ayala with Death of a Dog.

Spanish Novel After 1975

The continuation of the novel from 1975 onward sometimes includes humor, as seen in Javier Tomeo's The Castle of the Coded Letter. Authors also experimented with language, such as José María Merino in Novela de Andrés Choz and Lourdes Ortiz in Light.

Julio Llamazares, with works like Wolf Moon, addresses the loss of values in modern society.

Key Genres and Authors

• Metanovel: This genre reflects on the process of creation. Notable examples include The Shadow of the Wind by Ruiz Zafín and Adopted Son by Álvaro Pombo.
• Erotic Fiction: Leopoldo Azancot is a key figure in this genre, known for works like The Jewish Bride.
• Thriller: This genre was solidified by Francisco García Pavón and his work The Red Sisters. Other important authors in this genre include Eduardo Mendoza, Juan José Millás with Vision of the Drowned, Lourdes Ortiz with Mortal Sting, and the stories of Vázquez Montalbán and Pérez Reverte. There is also a group of writers specializing in crime fiction and intrigue, such as Juan Andreu Martín.
• Neorealist Novel: This genre reflects reality without neglecting form or technique, sometimes incorporating humor and parody. Notable examples include Miguel Delibes' The Holy Innocents, Carmen Martín Gaite's The Back Room, and Francisco Umbral's Trilogy of Madrid. Other authors in this genre include J.M. Merino, Luis Mateo Díez, and Soledad Puértolas.