Spanish Literature Post-1975: Transition and Modern Narrative
Literature Post-1975: From Dictatorship to Social Change
The dictator’s death in November 1975 marked the end of his regime and the beginning of a period of social change and politics. Key events include the abolition of censorship and the naming of Juan Carlos I as successor in 1976, following the assassination of Admiral Carrero Blanco in 1973. This period saw weakening signs, divided into two stages:
- 1) The transition to 1982.
- 2) Since 1982 to the present day.
The transition was a rapid and important period of development for Spain. Within just eight years, the country underwent a total transformation. While there were attempts to revert to old ways, they did not succeed. The cultural world was characterized by openness, with magazines like Cuadernos para el Diálogo and others, which had previously suffered censorship, now triumphing. Many who had not participated in the cultural and editorial world found new opportunities. Censored ideas were now openly discussed.
Current Period: Since 1982
This period saw the approval of the Constitution, Spain’s entry into the EU, and the zenith of our democratic demonstration. The alternation of power between left and right-wing parties occurred. From a cultural perspective, our society’s consciousness is supported by commercial and consumer literature. In large urban centers, alternations arise, and postmodernism, with its various trends and currents, becomes a dominant influence. The contemporary literary market is characterized by the conditions of editorial production, where authors respond to demands, and each author develops their own style, school, or trend. Narrative is the genre that best adapts to new societal changes. Drama and poetry are reduced to minority interests.
Post-1975 Narrative
Thanks to the mechanization of production, increased commercial formulas, and new technologies, the publishing industry received a strong impulse. The number of published books and the reading public increased considerably, generalizing culture to all social classes. The experimental novel moved away from readers, while various trends grew. The narrative presents the following characteristics:
- Argument and Structure: Recognizable stories are recovered, organized into chapters, and regain verisimilitude.
- Point of View: Third-person omniscient, acting as a witness.
- Time and Space: Chronological and linear time, with little use of prolepsis or analepsis. Exotic environments and reaction times are common.
- Character: Detailed individual protagonists with elaborate descriptions.
- Style and Technique: Return to narrative simplicity.
- Thematics: Existential concerns prevail, questioning reality, intimate disappointment, ideological tension between the individual and society, and the use of mysterious and erotic elements.
Trends in Narrative
The diversity of trends is a result of the coexistence of different authors. Notable authors include Goytisolo, Marsé, Martín Gaite, Vázquez Montalbán, and Eduardo Mendoza. The main types of novels are:
- Historical Novel: Set in Spain’s history or its interpretation. Often mixes reality and fiction. Works include Antonio Gala’s The Parchment Manuscript and Terezin’s Don’t Say It Was a Dream.
- Policíaca (Crime) Novel: Presented as a game with action likely to occur in urban environments. A work example is The Truth About the Savolta Case.
- Adventure Novel: Features a character facing incidents to achieve their goal. An example is Pérez Reverte’s The Revolt of the ‘Seaflower’ Squadron.
- Intimate Novel: Explores a wide range of personal, existential problems, uncertainty in the search for identity, or the meaning of life. Works include Carlos Ruiz Zafón’s The Shadow of the Wind and Almudena Grandes’ The Heart’s Big Function.