Recommend Spanish litterature?

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Can anyone recommends any good Spanish books to read so that I can expand mi vocabulario and gain insight into Spanish culture and historical thought?

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

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.

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.

Oh no, I'm not planning to move there. I'd shrivel up and die if I did that any time soon. Ive just finished Spanish 101 so it would take me about 4 more courses to get past the novice level of speaking. But I'm fluent in French so its not too difficult for me to read Spanish as it would be for a complete novice.

I though reading novels would be the best way to learn the syntax, culture, and history at the same time in one big SHA-BANG! Besides, I think of all the great Spanish litterature/ideas I must be missing out on that is not translated into English or not popular in the US. Another language=another way of thinking=another way of looking at the world=another you.

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

Muchas Gracias. Yo voy a lo comprarlo.

Specializes in Neuro.

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)

Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.
... I did want to applaud you for your efforts to expand your understanding...

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!:)

Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.
... Unomuno..

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

Remember this name (or something like it) from my Spanish IV class in high school... eons ago. :)
Yep, in the seventies for me! Spanish iv. :coollook:

Be amazed that I remember ANYTHING from the seventies.

Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.
... amazed that I remember ANYTHING from the seventies.

Hahahahahahahahahahhahahaha!

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