Learning Spanish through reading, a genuine literary pleasure

One of the great satisfactions of learning a language is to be able to read some of its authors in the original without losing any of its nuances in the translation. And in this case –as we're talking about Spanish–, as you gradually master it you'll be lucky enough to understand a language spoken by 500 million people, and which features some of the towering literary works in history. So if you've been studying in Spain for some time, and have already mastered textbooks of the type Basic grammar for students; if you want to consolidate your learning by reading and are brave enough to tackle texts by some of Spain's most popular writers, then here are a few recommendations. Step right up and learn.

There are several Spanish writers who for decades have been highly successful both inside and outside Spain. This “Spanish boom” began with authors of the stature of Alberto Vázquez-Figueroa (with works like Tuareg , subsequently made into a film), Javier Marías (whose most famous books include A heart so white and The infatuations), Antonio Muñoz Molina (highly acclaimed in other countries for works such as Sepharad), Javier Cercas (his Soldiers of Salamis is essential reading, and was also made into a film), and Arturo Pérez-Reverte (his collection entitled The adventures of Captain Alatriste is a best-selling literary series, and 15 million copies of his works have already been sold all over the world).
 
These “pioneers” have been followed by other names whose stories have succeeded in ensuring their reputation beyond our borders. You're bound to have heard of writers like Javier Sierra (in 2006 his work The secret supper was the first Spanish novel in history to make the Top 10 best-sellers in the US), and Carlos Ruiz Zafón (whose spectacular The Shadow of the wind sold 14 million copies alone). Also on this list are others such as Julia Navarro (The brotherhood of the Holy Shroud), Matilde Asensi (The last Cato), Ildefonso Falcones (Cathedral of the Sea), María Dueñas (The time in between), Clara Sánchez (What your name hides), Félix J. Palma (The map of time), Dolores Redondo (with her Baztán trilogy), Natalia Sanmartín (The awakening of Miss Prim), Jesús Carrasco (Out in the open) and many more.
 
If you've already had the satisfaction of reading some of these best-sellers in your own language, we invite you now to do so in Spanish.
 
You need a high level of proficiency to understand these books (we don't recommend it to any student learning Spanish with a level below the Spanish B2 diploma), and even at these higher levels it may be better to opt for an author like the brilliant Eduardo Mendoza, who although complex is generally considered to have a simple and direct narrative style.
 
If your level is lower you can try children's stories or novels by authors like Rosa Montero, the stories featuring the character Manolito Gafotas created by Elvira Lindo, or the works of Gloria Fuertes. The important thing is to get excited by reading.


 

There are Spanish novels that are fundamental to the history of literature: The life of Lazarillo de Tormes and of his fortunes and adversities, La Celestina, and –above all– Don Quixote of La Mancha. This last work –focused on the adventures and misadventures of a knight errant– was even chosen in 2002 by a group of 100 writers as the best work of fiction in the history of humankind.
 
Five Spanish writers have received the Nobel Prize for Literature (José Echegaray, Jacinto Benavente, Juan Ramón Jiménez, Vicente Aleixandre and Camilo José Cela), and our poetry has produced such great names as Federico García Lorca and Antonio Machado.
 
We realise all these works are may still be too complex, but some, such as Don Quixote, are available in very interesting adaptations in the form of comics and other versions.

If your student budget doesn't permit major expenses and you're an avid reader –don't worry, you'll find these books and many more are all available in the public libraries in each city. Destinations like Madrid even have “mini libraries” in some metro stations to make your transfers more entertaining. If you want, you can also opt to join a book club or literary workshop, although this will require a higher level.
 
To start with, try sitting at a pavement café and –with the warm sun on your face– start to discover our literature little by little. And what about you? Can you recommend a good book?