Treasures of the Spanish Language
Discover three of the literary works written in Spanish that have had the most readers and influence.
Tesoros de la lengua (2014) by Michal JarmolukFundación Antonio de Nebrija
Reading tastes vary and differ by age, education, and chronological stage.
Tesoros de la lengua (2016) by PexelsFundación Antonio de Nebrija
The classics never disappoint
With the "classics" category, we are referring to works that, decade after decade, have remained among the books most beloved by readers.
The meaning and interpretation of works and texts may vary over time. Nevertheless, the classics remain favorites and continue to gather more readers despite the passing of time.
Tesoros de la lengua (2021) by Peter HFundación Antonio de Nebrija
Spanish-language literature
Since the 12th century, the Spanish language has been a vehicle for literary writing, and over the centuries the types of works that could be written have expanded. For example, in the 13th century, works of history, law, and science began to appear, and in the 15th century, we saw the appearance of artistic verse.
The golden centuries
The 16th and 17th centuries are considered to be the "golden" age of literary creation in Spanish. They coincide with the stage of greatest growth in speakers and of geographical extension of the language, so there was a great proliferation of texts in Spanish at the time.
A stroll through the classics of Spanish-language literature
We have chosen three works of prose which, from the 16th to the 20th century, achieved great things for literary writing in Spanish.
Comienzo del Lazarillo de Tormes (2023) by Carmen García RicoFundación Antonio de Nebrija
"Lazarillo de Tormes"
The anonymous novel Lazarillo de Tormes circulated in print in Spain as early as 1554. In the play, a modest, rogue character named Lázaro tells the story of his life and miserable upbringing in the first person.
Comienzo del Lazarillo de Tormes (2023) by Carmen García RicoFundación Antonio de Nebrija
The novel criticizes the false sense of honor of the time and paints a disenchanted portrait of 16th-century society.
Comienzo Don Quijote de la Mancha (2023) by Carmen García RicoFundación Antonio de Nebrija
"Don Quixote"
The novel by Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616) was published in two parts, the first in 1605 and the second in 1615. Don Quixote is considered the first modern novel.
Ilustración Primera Parte Don Quijote de la Mancha (2023) by Carmen García RicoFundación Antonio de Nebrija
The main character is a poor gentleman (Alonso Quijano) who is driven mad by excessive reading of chivalric novels and believes that he is a medieval knight-errant. Accompanied by his squire Sancho Panza, he goes on invented or frustrated adventures.
At the end of his life, Don Quixote accepts that he is not a hero, and that they do not exist.
Lomo Cien años de soledad de Gabriel García Márquez (2023) by Carmen García RicoFundación Antonio de Nebrija
"One Hundred Years of Solitude"
In May 1967, the first edition of One Hundred Years of Solitude was published in Buenos Aires. The novel tells the story of a place called "Macondo" and the Buendía family over seven generations.
Why are these works considered "classics" of literature?
Their historical value, the brilliance of their authors, their timeless character... Here, we highlight some of the details that make these works true literary classics of the Spanish language.
Comienzo del Lazarillo de Tormes (2023) by Carmen García RicoFundación Antonio de Nebrija
The success of Lazarillo de Tormes was such that it inaugurated the picaresque novel genre.
Portada Don Quijote de la Mancha (2023) by Carmen García RicoFundación Antonio de Nebrija
Cervantes' influence on narrative models would be fundamental. Don Quixote is the pinnacle of literature in Spanish, and the Spanish language is known as "the language of Cervantes."
Ilustración Cien años de soledad (2023) by Carmen García RicoFundación Antonio de Nebrija
To date, One Hundred Years of Solitude has sold over 30 million copies and has been translated into 44 languages. Its author, the Colombian writer Gabriel García Márquez (1927-2014) was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1982.
Lectura de Cien años de soledad (2023) by Carmen García RicoFundación Antonio de Nebrija
In detail: the opening lines
The first lines of works such as Don Quixote or One Hundred Years of Solitude are very famous and recognized within the history of literature.
Comienzo de Cien años de soledad de Gabriel García Márquez (2023) by Carmen García RicoFundación Antonio de Nebrija
Did you know?
The opening of One Hundred Years of Solitude is: "Many years later, as he faced the firing squad, Colonel Aureliano Buendía was to remember that distant afternoon when his father took him to discover ice."
Comienzo Don Quijote de la Mancha (2023) by Carmen García RicoFundación Antonio de Nebrija
And this one?
The opening of Don Quixote is: "Somewhere in la Mancha, in a place whose name I do not care to remember, a gentleman lived not long ago, one of those who has a lance and ancient shield on a shelf and keeps a skinny nag and a greyhound for racing."
Tesoros de la lenguaFundación Antonio de Nebrija
Spanish is a language with a long history and literary tradition.
Have you read the classics?
Content curation: Aina Arbona
Graphic Edition & photography: Carmen García
Investigation, consulting and review: Lola Pons (Universidad de Sevilla)
