Evolution of the Spanish Novel: Postwar to the 1970s

Overview: The Spanish Novel from Postwar to the 1970s

The Postwar Novel (1940s)

Postwar Spanish novelists sought to create a new tradition rooted in realism, reflecting the era’s commitment to portraying reality. The 1940s saw a break from the recent past, with several trends coexisting: nationalist narratives, traditional realism, and tremendismo (a literary movement characterized by its focus on violence and poverty). These were sometimes combined with existentialist perspectives, alongside humorous or fantastical elements.

The Social Novel of the 1950s

Censorship played a significant role in the immediate postwar period. The novel of the 1950s remained largely social, often criticizing the regime. Techniques of objectivism were adopted from American literature, leading to a socially committed narrative style. This period continued the trends of the 1940s, with its characteristics persisting into the early 1960s.

Ethical commitment to reality was paramount. Novels reflected the lived experiences of Spaniards at the time, including:

  • Poverty, hunger, and the prevalence of slums
  • The alienation of workers whose leisure time was minimal
  • The frivolity of the upper classes, who were often portrayed as bored and seeking distraction in parties

This ethical commitment manifested in two main streams:

  • Social Trend: Social novelists saw literature as a means to raise public awareness and promote their ideological stance. (e.g., Antonio Ferres, Juan Marse, Juan Goytisolo)
  • Neorealist Trend: Neorealist writers believed that individual experiences could reveal another facet of reality. They explored themes such as loneliness, frustration, and disappointment.

The Experimental Novel of the 1960s

By the 1960s, authors were increasingly concerned with narrative techniques and innovation. This led to experimentalism, influenced by innovations in 20th-century European and American narratives. Key characteristics of this period include:

  • Loss of Narrative Perspective: Creating a sense of fictional dialogue
  • Rupture of Temporal Linearity: Mixing subjective and objective time
  • Direct Interior Monologue or Stream of Consciousness: Used to express the internal conflicts of characters
  • Deconstruction of Syntax: Further emphasizing internal conflict
  • Linguistic Wealth: Focus on language development and the creation of new words
  • Importance of Visuality: Visual elements, such as different fonts, gained expressive value

The Novel from the 1970s Onward

From the 1970s, the Spanish novel moved away from common characteristics and embraced a greater variety of models and themes.