Literatura Española

Question

I want to read books in Spanish. I don't know much about Spanish Literature and would like to start with easy-reading books, I just want to read the classics after I have a higher level of proficiency. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Because of your Portuguese you should have an easier time reading books in Spanish that would not be ideal for other beginners. If you find yourself struggling though, don't feel bad about picking up a youth novel instead. Lots of these have been translated from English, but Carlos Ruiz Zafón and Isabel Allende have both had commercial success with their books for young adults. I do not know if those books are any good though.

I particularly enjoyed Borges' collections: Ficciones and [El Aleph][2]. Cortazar's Rayuela is great and a classic, but probably too much for a beginner with 736 pages. If you like poetry, I have enjoyed Gabriela Mistral and Rubén Darío. Although not favorite books of mine [Crónica de una muerte anuciada][6] (GGM) and [Los de abajo][7] (Azuela) both tend to show up in introductory literature courses, possibly because they are relatively short. If you are looking for a contemporary writer, I enjoyed [La sombra del viento][8] by Ruiz Zafón.

Thank you for the great question. I look forward to seeing other people's recommendations.

[2]: http://www.amazon.com/Aleph-Vintage-Espanol-Spanish-Edition/dp/0307950948/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405462802&sr=8-1&keywords=el aleph [6]: http://www.amazon.com/Crónica-una-muerte-anunciada-Spanish/dp/1400034957/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1405462988&sr=1-1&keywords=cronica de una muerte anunciada [7]: http://www.amazon.com/Los-abajo-Mariano-Azuela/dp/0140266216/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1405463014&sr=1-1&keywords=los de abajo [8]: http://www.amazon.com/Sombra-Viento-Vintage-Espanol-Spanish/dp/0307472590/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1405463041&sr=1-1&keywords=la sombra del viento

So I tried twice to make the hyperlinks work and failed both times. I'm giving up now :-) - lachelvi, Jul 15, 2014

Such a wonderful answer, I'll follow up your suggestions, Thanksss - samrodrigue_z, Jul 16, 2014

Answer 2

You could try childrens books:- in our Spanish class we have read some of Manolito Gafotas by Elvira Lindo and Se vende Mamá by Care Santos [the publisher El Barco vapor, specialises in childrens books]

Both of the books are funny.However,they use colloquial language from Spain.

Arturo Perez Reverte has written some childrens books, which Ihave heard are good, though his adult books are difficult [but a friend has read LaReina Sur about drug trafficking in Mexico and said he enjoyed it].

If you want a variety of articles covering 35 years I can recommend:- 35 años, 35 historias (Spanish Edition) by EL País - the ebook version is gratis! I have checked Amazon Brazil and they too have it for free.

Ana Matute and Julió Cortázar wrote many short stories though language can be tricky.

I like crime fiction, the more you read,the easier it gets as in crime novels there is the language of Police procedure and colloquial language. They can be challenging, however you may want to try: Domingo Villar - El Ojos de Agua -
His books are set in Galicia and were written in Gallego then translated by him to castellano.

Some books set in the Spanish Civil War:

El Camino - Miguel Delibes about a boy growing up in the country. You can watch it onTV then read the book - RTVE

Soldados de Salamina (Andanzas) (Spanish Edition) - Javier Cercas He is a journalist and I find him easy to read, whereas Carlos Zafron uses lots of descriptive words I do not know.

La voz Dormida - Dulce Chacón It has short chapters. It is about a female prisoner andher family whotry to support her- written this century.

NB if you have access to ebooks they mostly let you download the first chapter free

Mi País inventado - Isabel Allende

This is her autobiography.

Nice suggestions, Thank you, I will look for these books! - samrodrigue_z, Jul 16, 2014

Happy reading! - Mardle, Jul 18, 2014

Answer 3

I like the Y Qué Me Cuentas blog. There is a wealth of Spanish literature there, and it's free.

To anyone else struggling as I did: You have to scroll down to find the literature. I felt a bit daft when I finally figured it out :-) - lachelvi, Jul 17, 2014

It's true, lachelvi. You have to be a little persistant to reap the rewards of Y Qué Me Cuentas. Glad you stuck it out! - Helind, Jul 18, 2014

Answer 4

There is a learnig series calle dLola Lago, detective.They are good. After that, well tthe sky is the limit.. Te recomiendo : El amor en los tiempos de cólera..

Answer 5

Thanks to both amazing answers!