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?
- Thread starter qgrande
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Spanish literature for beginners
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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!
I'd love to read the Harry Potter series in Spanish!
RE: Some suggestions
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 autosuperaci?n). 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' ?tranger (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.
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 autosuperaci?n). 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' ?tranger (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.
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. Garc?a M?rquez'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 Iba?ez, P?rez Galdos - all very Iberian.
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. Garc?a M?rquez'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 Iba?ez, P?rez Galdos - all very Iberian.
C
Chip00
Guest
RE: Suggestions Part II
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 Ben?tez. Her debut novel is just what one would call "una linda historia". I recommend this book All? 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.
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 Ben?tez. Her debut novel is just what one would call "una linda historia". I recommend this book All? 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.
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How about modern Spanish authors writing in a more straightforward, journalistic style like Arturo P?rez 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 V?zquez Montalb?n.
There is also a detective writer who sets his stories in Barcelona - Manuel V?zquez Montalb?n.
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.
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.
Bilingual Short Stories and Ebook with Podcasts
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.)
ZALACA?N EL AVENTURERO
by P?O BAROJA
(Historia de las buenas andanzas y fortunas de
Mart?n Zalaca?n 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
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.)
ZALACA?N EL AVENTURERO
by P?O BAROJA
(Historia de las buenas andanzas y fortunas de
Mart?n Zalaca?n 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
RE: translated literature
qgrande-
Book reading is just a great past time and I am glad that you are interested in reading in Spanish. Regarding translated literature in very broad terms you are correct. There is translation loss from one language to another however, not all translated literature is equal. Like anything in life you get what you pay for. I don't read much translated literature intentionally but if you choose to read in Spanish and depending on the author some Spanish books that you read will be translated versions either from English to Spanish, French to Spanish or Portuguese to Spanish. An example of some translated literature that I read are books by Jos? Saramago. He's Portuguese, he's a tremendous writer and I enjoy most of what he writes and once I continue to read his books they will be translated versions from Portuguese to Spanish. This is where having knowledge of the publishing house comes into play.
Some of the top publishing houses for Spanish books are (and these are Latin American or Iberian ones):
1/ Alfaguara
2/ Plaza & Jan?s
3/ Grupo Editorial Norma
4/ Santillana
5/ Anagrama
6/ Editorial Planeta
-Since I have been reading Saramago's books I have yet to question a phrase. A badly translated novel will reveal itself quickly in the first chapter. Another will written book that I read this past summer was Esmeralda Santiago's El Amante Turco published by Alfaguara. Simply a wonderful novel about a women's personal struggles and victory. It was a translated version from English to Spanish which I did not know until I read the finer details in the inside of the book.
Esmerald Santiago in many ways is comparable to Julia ?lvarez. Esmeralda S is Puerto Rican. Julia is Dominican-American. They both write in English and share some similar bi-cultural struggles in the USA and have chosen to write about their experiences in English. I enjoy Esmeralda much more as an author especially her last novel as mentioned above.
My point here is much credit goes to the publishing house. Alfaguara is tops and when I sample an author for the first time before reading the editorial summary I check to see who the publishing house is. The ones I listed above are six reputable ones and if you have to buy translated literature be mindful of this factor.
Another suggestion I have is to go directly to the website of these publishing houses and look at their selection of books to get ideas for what you may want to read. As well, their selections will be much more focused and categorized than what you will see on Amazon.
I am enjoying the book I am reading right now by Saramago, Las intermitencias de la muerte. I will write a review for sure once completed.
Suerte,
-LDG.
qgrande-
Book reading is just a great past time and I am glad that you are interested in reading in Spanish. Regarding translated literature in very broad terms you are correct. There is translation loss from one language to another however, not all translated literature is equal. Like anything in life you get what you pay for. I don't read much translated literature intentionally but if you choose to read in Spanish and depending on the author some Spanish books that you read will be translated versions either from English to Spanish, French to Spanish or Portuguese to Spanish. An example of some translated literature that I read are books by Jos? Saramago. He's Portuguese, he's a tremendous writer and I enjoy most of what he writes and once I continue to read his books they will be translated versions from Portuguese to Spanish. This is where having knowledge of the publishing house comes into play.
Some of the top publishing houses for Spanish books are (and these are Latin American or Iberian ones):
1/ Alfaguara
2/ Plaza & Jan?s
3/ Grupo Editorial Norma
4/ Santillana
5/ Anagrama
6/ Editorial Planeta
-Since I have been reading Saramago's books I have yet to question a phrase. A badly translated novel will reveal itself quickly in the first chapter. Another will written book that I read this past summer was Esmeralda Santiago's El Amante Turco published by Alfaguara. Simply a wonderful novel about a women's personal struggles and victory. It was a translated version from English to Spanish which I did not know until I read the finer details in the inside of the book.
Esmerald Santiago in many ways is comparable to Julia ?lvarez. Esmeralda S is Puerto Rican. Julia is Dominican-American. They both write in English and share some similar bi-cultural struggles in the USA and have chosen to write about their experiences in English. I enjoy Esmeralda much more as an author especially her last novel as mentioned above.
My point here is much credit goes to the publishing house. Alfaguara is tops and when I sample an author for the first time before reading the editorial summary I check to see who the publishing house is. The ones I listed above are six reputable ones and if you have to buy translated literature be mindful of this factor.
Another suggestion I have is to go directly to the website of these publishing houses and look at their selection of books to get ideas for what you may want to read. As well, their selections will be much more focused and categorized than what you will see on Amazon.
I am enjoying the book I am reading right now by Saramago, Las intermitencias de la muerte. I will write a review for sure once completed.
Suerte,
-LDG.
Lesley, of course you're right, I don't want to take anything away from good translators. Translated books can be wonderful, and sometimes you can't do without them. I'm a bit of a fan of Vladimir Vojnovitsj's satire, but don't read a bit of Russian. But I just think that if you're deciding to start reading books in Spanish, it would be a pity not to use that to tap into the wealth of literature from Latin America and Spain, and read those as they were originally written.
Lesley - Children's Nursery rhymes ?
Lesley-tell us more about poetry in Spanish literature.I am familiar with the type of poerty that comes from Pablo Neruba, and Mir but I would like to know is: are there nursery rhymes? Are they used in the home? Famous ones? And..any and all you can share with us.
As always, many thanks in advance
JOHN
Lesley-tell us more about poetry in Spanish literature.I am familiar with the type of poerty that comes from Pablo Neruba, and Mir but I would like to know is: are there nursery rhymes? Are they used in the home? Famous ones? And..any and all you can share with us.
As always, many thanks in advance
JOHN
What I'd be interested in hearing, from someone who was raised in Spanish, is what are the childhood/youth classics of Spanish literature - are there Spanish language writers comparable to Le Petit Prince, Roald Dahl and other international favourites?
You can get simplified children's/young people's versions of classics like Don Quixote - there's a huge industry around this.
As for nursery rhymes, there are plenty - one of my Spanish cousins has published a wonderful anthology of children's traditional rhymes, playground songs etc. called Pinto, pinto, gorgorito.
You can get simplified children's/young people's versions of classics like Don Quixote - there's a huge industry around this.
As for nursery rhymes, there are plenty - one of my Spanish cousins has published a wonderful anthology of children's traditional rhymes, playground songs etc. called Pinto, pinto, gorgorito.
What I'd be interested in hearing, from someone who was raised in Spanish, is what are the childhood/youth classics of Spanish literature - are there Spanish language writers comparable to Le Petit Prince, Roald Dahl and other international favourites?
You can get simplified children's/young people's versions of classics like Don Quixote - there's a huge industry around this.
As for nursery rhymes, there are plenty - one of my Spanish cousins has published a wonderful anthology of children's traditional rhymes, playground songs etc. called Pinto, pinto, gorgorito.
Can this book be bought in SD? Where?
I will be there next week-if so I want to give a gift of it.
john
You're probably better off ordering it online. I just checked the Cuesta and New Horizons sites and it's not in stock in either. Thesaurus's site hasn't got a book search facility, but it would be a long shot. It's quite a large, heavy volume - that's why I haven't brought my copy over with me. It's beautifully designed and illustrated though.
John-
Spanish poetry is not my forte. I studied it by obligation certainly not by desire. Although there is some appealing Latin American poetry available if you are interested in going back a couple centuries. Sample pieces by Gabriela Mistral and totally opposite culturally and thematically is Nicol?s Guill?n (Cuba). I have been educated in three languages in different stages in my life and the junior years were mostly French literature etc. which was mandatory in Quebec.
Maybe someone else can help with the poetry and nursery rhyme aspects of Spanish literature.
-LDG.
Spanish poetry is not my forte. I studied it by obligation certainly not by desire. Although there is some appealing Latin American poetry available if you are interested in going back a couple centuries. Sample pieces by Gabriela Mistral and totally opposite culturally and thematically is Nicol?s Guill?n (Cuba). I have been educated in three languages in different stages in my life and the junior years were mostly French literature etc. which was mandatory in Quebec.
Maybe someone else can help with the poetry and nursery rhyme aspects of Spanish literature.
-LDG.
RE: Link- Lazarillo de Tormes-
qgrande et al-
Here is a link to Lazarillo de Tormes. As I mentioned in one of my previous posts this is a very important piece of literature that is always introduced to students at some point in time either in high school or university literature classes. Take note of the Spanish and the usage of language as compared to contemporary Spanish literature. There are many archaic forms, sentence patterns etc.
La vida de Lazarillo de Tormes y de sus fortunas y adversidades - Biblioteca Virtual Miguel de Cervantes
-LDG.
qgrande et al-
Here is a link to Lazarillo de Tormes. As I mentioned in one of my previous posts this is a very important piece of literature that is always introduced to students at some point in time either in high school or university literature classes. Take note of the Spanish and the usage of language as compared to contemporary Spanish literature. There are many archaic forms, sentence patterns etc.
La vida de Lazarillo de Tormes y de sus fortunas y adversidades - Biblioteca Virtual Miguel de Cervantes
-LDG.
qgrande et al-
Here is a link to Lazarillo de Tormes. As I mentioned in one of my previous posts this is a very important piece of literature that is always introduced to students at some point in time either in high school or university literature classes. Take note of the Spanish and the usage of language as compared to contemporary Spanish literature. There are many archaic forms, sentence patterns etc.
La vida de Lazarillo de Tormes y de sus fortunas y adversidades - Biblioteca Virtual Miguel de Cervantes
-LDG.
I was scanning this post to see if anyone would mention Lazarillo de Tormes, and i'm really glad you did! In my Spanish Literature class, this was the very first book we read. In my opinion, it is a really good starting point for anyone, students or adults that want to learn. The Spanish is ancient, but nonetheless, its very interesting, especially for any history buffs. The entire book is a social commentary on Spanish society during the 'Decadencia' ( I have no idea what the english word for that is, haha!)
chiri, i have read montalban and reverte in both polish and english and it is not a very easy read. not for beginners, i mean.
my suggestion would be some cheap romance story (for ladies) - telenovela on paper. simple vocabulary, good grammar and overall easy language.
funny i was asking minovio the same question the other day but he could not come up with anything easy, he tells me mario vargas llosa but heck, i have read that in polish/english and do not find it that easy.
i feel i am warming up to a long post here as literature is a little passion of mine.
when i started reading in english i picked up books i have read in polish, and i remember well, so even if i did not understand much i still kept track of what was going on.
pick up your favourite book, that you know well and read it.
about translations: some books in translation read better than original version so you can give it a go.
chiri's boy has verne on his shelf, i am sure this will be a great read in spanish as well, stories are well known and vocabulary not so difficult.
i am getting ready to look up machiavelli's "principe" we have in spanish version since i had to read it at the uni and i am familiar with it. i know it's gonna be hard but may be fun!
how come i understand big articles from newspapers but i do not understand cartoons they print?
sorry, that was along post from someone who does not even speak spanish and can hardly advice on that...
but i can advice on teaching techniques and reading foreign language in general, there is a reason why i passed "reading" tests on PCE exams with best notes...
my suggestion would be some cheap romance story (for ladies) - telenovela on paper. simple vocabulary, good grammar and overall easy language.
funny i was asking minovio the same question the other day but he could not come up with anything easy, he tells me mario vargas llosa but heck, i have read that in polish/english and do not find it that easy.
i feel i am warming up to a long post here as literature is a little passion of mine.
when i started reading in english i picked up books i have read in polish, and i remember well, so even if i did not understand much i still kept track of what was going on.
pick up your favourite book, that you know well and read it.
about translations: some books in translation read better than original version so you can give it a go.
chiri's boy has verne on his shelf, i am sure this will be a great read in spanish as well, stories are well known and vocabulary not so difficult.
i am getting ready to look up machiavelli's "principe" we have in spanish version since i had to read it at the uni and i am familiar with it. i know it's gonna be hard but may be fun!
how come i understand big articles from newspapers but i do not understand cartoons they print?
sorry, that was along post from someone who does not even speak spanish and can hardly advice on that...
but i can advice on teaching techniques and reading foreign language in general, there is a reason why i passed "reading" tests on PCE exams with best notes...
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