Spanish literature for beginners

[qgrande]

With a number of Spanish literature afincionados around, and a good number of people that at some point passed through the phase of being 'intermediate level' Spanish speakers, this seems a good place to ask for tips for relatively easy-to-read, clear-written books in Spanish. I would love to order some books in Spanish to keep practicing, but my experience with reading French literature warns me that just the aim to practice is not enough. Reading a newspaper or an article is easy enough, but to finish a whole book you've got to enjoy reading it too. And with a language you're not absolutely fluent in, some books can be more challenging than others. So, a question for those who know their Spanish literature, any recommendations for books in clear and accessible Spanish, without excessively challenging vocabularies?

[planner]

At the risk of sounding a little silly, how about kids books? They would have a basic vocabulary but proper grammar. Depending on your skill level you get increasingly "older" books. Me I am still reading the grade 2 and 3 books...LOL Maybe it isn't a thrilling novel but it helps.......

I'd love to read the Harry Potter series in Spanish!

[Lesley D]

I recommend short stories as well as adventures series type books. Depending on where you are planning to purchase these books either at an actual bookstore or on-line will determine the options you have at your disposal. I would not be able to name many authors or titles specifically because my specialty is adult contemporary literature both Latin American and Peninsular with a special interest in novels and self help books (libros de autosuperación). However, I will recommend youth (adolescent) literature (la literatura juvenil) in Spanish if your level is high intermediate.

If you can obtain a book list of Spanish books read in high school, I think that would be an ideal place to start. Don't be intimidated by the vocabulary because you have to start somewhere. For example in high school books by Albert Camus are popular in French and Spanish. L' Étranger (I highly recommend this novel) and La Peste have been translated into a few languages which I think are suitable choices. If this is too difficult read some short stories to get used to reading Spanish material that is longer than a newspaper article.

As Planner mentioned children's book are an ideal place to start and then you can increase the level difficulty at your own pace. However, to read the Harry Potter series in Spanish you still have to have a good command of the language IMO. A good bookstore that sells foreign language books should definitely have youth literature in Spanish. Good luck! I like the way you are approaching this very logically and sensibly.


-LDG.

[Chirimoya]

I'd read a children's classic that can be enjoyed by adults like The Little Prince (El Principito) - if that's your sort of thing.

If you want to read books that were actually written in Spanish, Isabel Allende has written books for young adults which could be engaging enough without being too childish. García Márquez's shorter novels might be worth a try as well.

I'm trying to remember what sort of Spanish texts were taught at school - Lorca plays, Blasco Ibañez, Pérez Galdos - all very Iberian.

[Chip00]

I agree with Planner - it's the way to go.

[Mirador]

For starters, Pedro Páramo, by Mexican author Juan Rulfo.

[Lesley D]

Now that I have had some time to think about this some more and I also decided to look at my own home library of books I have a few titles that would suit your needs.

First of all literature in all languages has its classics. Even in children's literature and as I mentioned in my first post as you progress from level to level you will discover some of them. Chirimoya already mentioned El Principito (Le Petit Prince) and another classic you will run into eventually is Lazarillo de Tormes. The author is unknown and some short story books only have excerpts of it. When I was in Panama two months ago I got the full version just to have as a treasure and to re-read it at my leisure.

There are many good short story writers from the USA. Many are classified under the category of "chicano" literature. One who comes to mind readily is Sandra Cisneros. Her books La casa en Mango Street and El arroyo de la Llorona y otros cuentos are both books that are very enjoyable. There are some great reviews on Amazon as well. I have both of them and I think they would be perfect for you.

Another title I suggest is by an author of Puerto Rican descent raised in Missouri by the name of Sandra Benítez. Her debut novel is just what one would call "una linda historia". I recommend this book Allí donde el mar recuerda once you do begin to read in Spanish and build your confidence. Once you start reading it you will be intrigued. It's also available on Amazon.


-LDG.

[Chirimoya]

How about modern Spanish authors writing in a more straightforward, journalistic style like Arturo Pérez Reverte? The main problem for less advanced speakers is that much of Spanish literary writing is very flowery and elaborate. I know it puts me off from reading Spanish literature, and I commit the despicable crime of choosing the English translations.

There is also a detective writer who sets his stories in Barcelona - Manuel Vázquez Montalbán.

[qgrande]

Wow, great reactions! Because I suppose those tips could be of interest to people in a similar situation I won't make it too personal. I do like the tip of checking out high school literature lists. Children's literature can be great, there's a lot more than just a children's story in Le Petit Prince, and Roald Dahl is always an enjoyable read. I would prefer someting originally written in Spanish as translations often take away a lot from a book.
Lesley, I will purchase them online. There are bookstores with Spanish literature sections here, but their range is not too impressive, and it is almost all Iberian-focused. I'll check the availabilty of all the books suggested, and perhaps I will later post a review.

[margaret]

I have some side-by-side bilingual short stories, tales from Latin America and Mexico. However of Mexican friend of mine said it was obvious they were written in English and translated to Spanish.

Amazon.ca: Stories from Latin America: Books: Genevieve Barlow

From time to time I listen to podcasts from the InstaSpanish website Insta Spanish - Forum and Learning Online - new: Podcast Some of them are study guides for an Ebook of that is part of the Project Gutenberg. (It's not the same as having a book in your hands though,in my opinion.)

ZALACAÍN EL AVENTURERO
by PÍO BAROJA
(Historia de las buenas andanzas y fortunas de
Martín Zalacaín el Aventurero)

MADRID.--1919.

Index of /dirs/1/3/2/6/13264

I's in Spanish (not a translation) and I like the idea of having study guides that you can download and listen to on you PC/MAC with Itunes. Apple - iTunes - Download iTunes