Recommend Spanish litterature?

Although not in Spanish - Hemingway penned several novels about Spanish culture and lived in Madrid. There is a wonderful restaurant in Madrid on the Plaza where he spent many hours. Are you planning to visit or move? I lived in Zaragoza (about 2 hours north of Madrid) for three years.

I can not make a personal recomendation but I did want to applaud you for your efforts to expand your understanding.

I received my education in a highly Hispanic area of our country, NM. It was so wonderful being a part of the healthcare there and treating this minority group. I learned to understand them better and be very respectful of their uniqueness.

My favorite phrase I learned from the culture, "Los Cientos" or "I Feel Your Pain" takes on a new meaning. I once was trying to start an IV and was having a hard time and the CNA was cradling the person and saying los cientos. It still brings a mist to my eyes at the beauty and respect and sensitivity this group have for one another. I witnessed such love and respect within the families too.

Cien anos de soledad is a masterpiece (100 years of solitude if you want to read the translation).

Ooh yes, Cien anos de soledad is the best libro del mundo! I've read it in both English and Spanish and it is phenomenal. Most of Gabriel Garcia Marquez's work is amazing, though. If you do read Cien anos and like it, I'd look into some of his short stories as well (they tend to mention some of the characters you'll find in the novel), and they're all very well-written and pretty easy to follow. Or you could just read Cien anos de soledad over and over, because it's THAT good (to me, anyway!).

Meghan (a year away from a Spanish BA)

Ditto!

Rimas Y Leyendas, I think it is by Unomuno. Miguel de Unomuno? It was beautiful to read and easily understood in the spanish language ~ you don't "translate" to enjoy it!

Remember this name (or something like it) from my Spanish IV class in high school... eons ago.