cervantes, pio baroja, miguel unamuno, gabriel garcia márquez, pablo neruda? Do you know what these names have in common? all of them are authors of indisputable classics of Spanish literature, writers who have left a great impact on readers and fellow authors.
Few people choose Literacy Skills to improve their language skills and work on their fluency and literacy, which means you’re not just weird for being here, but special! and you’re on the right track to increase your fluency.
You are reading: Classic books in spanish
Literary classics in Spanish can help you drastically improve the effectiveness of your language learning, especially if you are already at an intermediate or advanced level.
Here are 12 classics of Spanish literature that should be part of your next book order!
why read classics of literature in spanish?
You know very well that reading expands your vocabulary and takes your language fluency and literacy to the next level. books are great for seeing complex grammatical structures in action and give you more time to assimilate concepts than watching a movie in Spanish. Other than that, reading is fun. But why read classics of Spanish literature instead of grabbing Stephen King’s latest novel translated into Spanish?
The fact is that reading books that have been translated into Spanish will not give you all the benefits.
Let me explain.
Classics in Spanish are classics because they convey elements of a particular place at a particular time and are expressed in a unique way. They teach you about culture, about typical expressions. they teach you geography, history, and even politics of Spanish-speaking countries.
While reading any book in Spanish can improve your language skills, reading authentic classics in Spanish introduces you to the cultural context of Spanish-speaking countries.
Other than that, the classics in Spanish are perfect when you find your language skills plateauing and you feel like it’s hard to move forward at the pace you’re used to. you understand a lot and don’t try very hard to make yourself understood in a basic way, but you fail to express yourself authentically. this is the time to immerse yourself in literature and discover new worlds and expressions that were previously unknown to you.
classics of literature in Spanish
The following selection includes classics of Spanish literature from different countries. You will find examples from Spain but also from Latin America. all of these books were written in the 20th century, except for the last one on the list, which was published in 2004 (and is more of a modern classic). To make the language accessible to you (and not too old-fashioned), you won’t find classics like Don Quixote de la Mancha by Miguel Cervantes or El Cantar de Mío Cid on this list.
1. fictions, by jorge luis borges
English title: “fictions”
publication date: 1944
country: Argentina
This classic is my absolute favourite. I remember reading Borges for the first time when I was 15 years old and going back to him all my life. he is like nothing else. the book is a collection of stories that transport you to words that seem similar to ours, but very soon you find yourself in complex intellectual scenarios that challenge your perception of reality.
This is one of the classics in Spanish, perfect even for intermediate level students, since the language itself is very clear.
2. the tunnel, by ernesto sábato
English title: “the tunnel”
publication date: 1948
country: Argentina
the tunnel shakes you from the first sentence with the end of the book appearing at the beginning:
It will suffice to say that I am Juan Pablo Castel, the painter who killed María Iribarne; I suppose that the process is in everyone’s memory and that no further details about me are needed. I assume that people will remember what I did and that they do not need further explanations about my personal character”.
After this deliberate spoiler, you feel trapped by the narrator’s confusing report that reveals the darker side of a person who feels misunderstood by the world. by reading it, you have a rare opportunity to observe an unknown logic that is not your own.
3. One Hundred Years of Solitude, by Gabriel García Márquez
English title: “One Hundred Years of Solitude”
publication date: 1967
See Also: Angie Thomas: I knew this book was going to be prime banning material – The Irish Times
country: Colombia
One Hundred Years of Solitude is another Spanish classic whose first sentence sounds familiar to many readers:
Many years later, facing the firing squad, Colonel Aureliano Buendía was to remember that remote afternoon when his father took him to discover ice. “Many years later, facing the firing squad, Colonel Aureliano Buendía was going to remember that distant afternoon when his father took him to discover ice.”
This first sentence opened the world to magical realism and Spanish literature was never the same again.
It’s a very long story, so be prepared for many hours of reading, but in return you’ll gain a better understanding of the fascinating undercurrents of Latin American culture.
4. Bestiary, by Julio Cortázar
English title: “Bestiary: Selected Stories”
publication date: 1951
country: Argentina
julio cortázar is the master of surprise. all the stories that seem pretty ordinary at first suddenly make you feel like a fictional character within the worlds you’re reading about. the last words of each story will leave you speechless and you’ll probably want to reread it to find the clues you missed the first time.
5. Pedro Paramo, by Juan Rulfo
English title: “pedro páramo”
publication date: 1955
country: mexico
This mind-blowing novel is set in early 20th-century Mexico, where you travel with Juan Precious to Comala. It may seem simple but you will be surprised to notice that nothing in this story is what it seems. Jorge Luis Borges, the Argentine short story writer who appears as number 1 on this list, considered Pedro Páramo the best text ever written in any language.
An undeniable advantage for students of Spanish is the length of the novel. you can read it in one sitting and then spend your time digging into your favorite parts.
6. Like water for chocolate, by Laura Esquivel
English title: “like water for chocolate”
publication date: 1992
country: mexico
You may have already seen the movie with the same title. if not, I recommend you start with the novel.
The book tells the story of Tita, the youngest daughter of the Garza family. according to mexican tradition, her aunt cannot get married because she is obliged to take care of her mother until she dies. As the story progresses, Tita falls in love with Pedro and seduces him with magical food. since the union with aunt is forbidden, he marries her sister to be closer to her love and that’s when the story gets really interesting!
7. the house of the spirits, by isabel allende
title in English: “the house of the spirits”
publication date: 1982
country: chile
the house of the spirits should be your first choice if you want to read a family saga but feel overwhelmed by the number of pages in a hundred years of solitude.
The book will leave you informed about the Pinochet era in early 20th century Chile. If you like romantic stories with a political background, this novel will not disappoint you.
8. the city and the dogs, by mario vargas llosa
See Also: 4 Heartbreaking True Crime Books Available for Free on Kindle Unlimited – Soapboxie
English title: “The time of the hero”
publication date: 1963
country: peru
The City and the Dogs is a more challenging read than the previous ones on this list, but it’s certainly worth the challenge. this is one of the Spanish classics mentioned in all must-read lists. Mario Vargas Llosa is a master of drawing characters with real depth and the whole story takes you through Lima and its suburbs.
the military academy that constitutes its main setting is real; in fact, 100 copies of the book were burned there just after it was published. what offended them so much? you have to read it to find out!
9. The Death of Artemio Cruz, by Carlos Fuentes
title in english: “the death of artemio cruz”
publication date: 1962
country: mexico
This is a great read for history buffs. You’ll get insights into the Mexican Revolution on a large and small scale told from the protagonist’s deathbed. take your time, it’s not a page turner. savor the language and discover the irony scattered by it.
10. the obscene bird of the night, by josé donoso
English title: “the obscene bird of night”
publication date: 1970
country: chile
I remember this book being an unexpected success when I first read it. It is not one of the most famous classics of Spanish literature, but it is one of the most captivating. Nothing is certain or concrete in this novel. As a reader, you’re treated to multiple versions of the same story while simultaneously discovering who’s narrating each jaw-dropping version.
The book is visionary, far removed from traditional forms of writing, and the horror and gothic energy you’ll find here won’t fade from your mind anytime soon.
11. Until I See You, My Jesus, by Elena Poniatowska Puig
English title: “here’s for you, jeusa!”
publication date: 1969
country: mexico
This novel by Elena Poniatowska offers a vision of early 20th century Mexican history from a woman’s point of view. the narrator is josefina, an oaxaqueña whose life is not easy, to put it mildly. is an interesting reflection on the place and role of women in a surprising setting.
12. Your face tomorrow, by Javier Marías
title in English: “your face tomorrow”
publication date: 2004
country: spain
This is the only literary classic in Spanish on this list that was written in the 21st century. Javier María has quickly earned the respect and admiration of readers and literary critics thanks to Your Face Tomorrow, an artistically acclaimed three-volume novel.
The book is a rare combination of deft language and an engaging plot, with spy stories mixed with romance. is a book that reflects on the author’s experience and years of writing. it is a bit Proustian in its approach but in a more modern garb.
keep practicing!
Have you already chosen your favorite of these 12 classics in Spanish? which ones caught your attention? Or maybe you want to read them all?
If you need more inspiration, read this article on the 10 most notable Latin American authors of all time. After you’ve read your favorite classics and are ready to talk to a native speaker about what you’ve read, sign up! a free class with one of our professional Spanish-speaking teachers from Guatemala! Enjoy talking about literary classics in Spanish and practice your conversation skills in fun and engaging one-on-one classes.
See Also: The Hunger Games Book Summary, by Suzanne Collins – Allen Cheng
Do you want more resources in Spanish? check it out!
- Top 8 Coding Curriculum Picks for Homeschoolers to Learn to Code
- 9 Must-See Homeschool Documentaries (And Where to Find Them)
- 8 Free Elementary Homeschool Language Arts Curriculum Choices
- 6 Best High School Homeschool Psychology Curriculum Choices
- 10 Amazing Choices homeschool math curriculum you won’t want to miss
- 11 free online math games for kids to add to their homeschool routine
- how to homeschool at home consumer math and promoting financial literacy
- 10 famous people who were homeschooled