AAR

[Natalie]

Hi everyone,

I'm studying Spanish and want to make my learning more interesting by reading something in favorite genre So, I'd appreciate any recommendations of original Spanish romance novels, preferrably with not too difficult language.

Someone mentioned Caridad Bravo Adams, but she seems somewhat old-fashioned to me.

Maybe some YA novels? Years ago, when I was in college and learning German (well, trying to), we read a YA german novel about a Turkish girl in Germany who fell in love with a German teen and how their love had to overcome all sorts of cultural barriers and also his very evil neo nazi brother. That short book was way more interesting and useful (not to mention easier) than Im Westen nichts Neues we had to read later

Anyway, I'd appreciate any recommendations.

Gracias de antemano

[Rosario]

Well, I was going to suggest Corin Tellado, as her books are shortish and the language is not complicated, but she's definitely very old-fashioned. Most of her books were written in Franco's Spain, so the characters and gender roles are sometimes quite awful. Still, her books are the romance generations of women in the Spanish-speaking world grew up with, so they might be interesting to you, in a purely anthropological kind of way ;-)

I'm trying to think of YA books, but right now I'm not coming up with anything. I know there are many now, but the genre pretty much didn't exist when I was growing up (and I'm 30, so that wasn't that long ago!). Hmmm... Isabel Allende has written some YA, but those might be a bit hard to read. I think I read somewhere that there's a bit of magical realism there. Don't know your Spanish level, though; it might be fine for you.
_________________
My Reading Journal
http://rosario.blogspot.com

[Natalie]

Hi Rosario,

what about romantic mysteries or fantasy? Spanish-speaking countries have a long tradition of good literature, I'm sure there must be some lighter or more entertaining reading?

[xina]

I was going to suggest The Shadow of the Wind, but as I'm typing this I seem to remember you read it Natalie, or was that another poster. Anyway, it has a little romance in it and I know it is translated from Spanish.

[KayWebbHarrison]

You could try Arturo Pérez Reverte; he writes mysteries and historicals.

I was going to suggest "People en español". It is a great way to absorb the language of popular culture, since it is published each month. The problem with literature is that its language is fixed in the time, even contemporary, in which it is written.

Are you learning Spanish to read literature or to communicate with Spanish-speakers?

Kay
(Retired high school Spanish teacher)

[sandilib]

Luisa Maria Linares.

I remember her books as funny, with adventure, romance (no sex though). I don't know if or where you can find her books (I read her a loooong time ago), but you might still be able to find her books, as she was well published in the 70's.

Here is an article (in spanish) about her
http://www.telepolis.com/cgi-bin/web/DISTRITODOCVIEW?url=/1004/doc/Biografias/willock@20030426@184923.htm

Anyway, thinking of her books still make me smile. Mind you, I was much younger when I read her, so I might not like them today. But I still recommend that you give her a try, if possible.

Enjoy, and if you find a source for her books, please let me know. Thanks!

[Natalie]

[Natalie]

[Natalie]

[xina]

Yes, it was me and I loved La Sombra del Viento!

The authors has already written a sequel but I think my Spanish is not up to the task yet.[/quote]


A sequel? How exciting! I love this author(s). Any word on when the English version will be released?

[KayWebbHarrison]

I cringe to admit that I am not familiar with most contemporary Spanish and Spanish American romances. You could check the eHarlequin.com site, but I don't know how many are translations from English or romances originally written in Spanish.

However, I just remembered Laura Esquivel. You should definitely try her Como agua para chocolate--¡Es calientísima! You should also see the film based on it. She has written other novels, but that is the only one I have read.

Que disfrutes de la lectura,
Kay

[Natalie]

[Natalie]

[xina]

A sequel? How exciting! I love this author(s). Any word on when the English version will be released?[/quote]

It's called The Angel's Game (El Juego del Angel) and it's more of a prequel as the events in it happen before Daniel from "The Shadow of the Wind" is born. It's been published a few months ago so I don't think we'll see the English edition before spring '09. If I keep on studying I'll probably be able to read it in Spanish by that time [/quote]


Well, you'll have to report on it if you do read it!! I loved Shadow Of The Wind and borrowed it out many times over. In fact, I don't know who has my copy right now....hmmmm. someone who hasn't returned it yet. Spring '09 isn't that far off......

[Natalie]