Spanish Post-War Literature and the Voice of Exile

Camilo José Cela and the Post-War Narrative

The biggest challenge for Camilo José Cela was achieving a minimum of unity in a story that would overcome the lack of a traditional plot. He used a specific setting, the Café de Doña Rosa, where many characters converge, most notably Martín Marco. Following this work, he wrote countless novels, some more successful than others.

The Rural and Provincial World of Miguel Delibes

Focusing on rural life and the mentality of the middle classes in provincial capitals, Miguel Delibes (1920) wrote a series of novels characterized by simple plots and a sober style that incorporates many regional terms. These elements create characters as deep as they are human. Notable stories include:

• The Road (1950)
• Rats (1962)
• The Red Leaf

Another core concern for Delibes is nature, which he defends against indiscriminate progress in works such as Diary of a Hunter or Diary of a Migrant. Delibes has also claimed the values of natural intelligence and the rural world in works such as The Disputed Vote of Mr. Cayo.

The analysis of the mentality of the bourgeoisie in the provinces occurs mainly in Five Hours with Mario, one of the most important novels of the post-war period. In this soliloquy, a widow reproaches her late husband for his behavior, revealing two ways of understanding life: the reactionary view of the woman and the liberal view of the husband.

The Exiled Novelists: Max Aub and Francisco Ayala

Among the long list of authors who wrote in exile, only a few have received fair recognition:

• Ramón J. Sender: Chronicle of Dawn (1942-1957) and Requiem for a Spanish Peasant (1960)
• Max Aub
• Manuel Andújar
• Rosa Chacel
• Francisco Ayala

Common themes among these authors include the remembrance of the war and those who left Spain, the presence of new environments, and reflections on the nature and existence of man.

The Literary Vision of Max Aub

Max Aub (1903-1972) focused on man in all his aspects. His works range from Galdosian influences to experimental intentions (Card Games) and historical war epics, such as the Magic Labyrinth series: Closed Field, Open Field, Field of Blood, Moorish Field, Field of the Almond Tree, and others.

Francisco Ayala and Social Criticism

Francisco Ayala (1906) held a bitter and pessimistic view of reality, leading him to write moralistic novels aimed at reflecting human vices and providing political and social criticism through humor. Examples include Deaths of Dogs and The Bottom of the Glass, which focus on the figure of a dictator and the corruption of the ruling class, respectively. His major work is The Usurpers (1949).