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The 66 Greatest Works of Spanish Literature

The selection of great Spanish literature is based on the same extensive research carried out for more than two decades—and continuing—for our flagship list, The Greatest Literature of All Time, and our other "greatest" lists.

This list is not about all writing in the Spanish language. Rather it is for writing by authors associated with the country of Spain and its preceding states or provinces.

Within this Spanish context, literary works of all types, genres, cultures and periods are considered.

This list focuses on major creative works—such as novels, novellas, plays and collections—although some short or nonfiction writing of literary significance may also be included.

Latest update: December 15, 2024

c. 1140
 
The Poem of the Cid
Anonymous, Spain
Epic poemm originally El Cantar de mio Cid
c.1125
 
Improvement of Human Reason:
Hayy ibn Yaqdhan, Spain
Novel, also known as The Self-Taught Philosopher
1251
 
Calia and Dimna
Anonymous, Spain
Story collection
1330–1343
 
The Book of Good Love
by Juan Ruiz, Spain
Long poem
1443–1448
 
Curial and Guelfa
Anonymous, Spain
Novel
1476
 
Verses on the Death of Don Rodrigo Manrique, His Father
by Jorge Manrique, Spain
Poem, originally Coplas por la muerte de su padre
1490
 
Tyrant the White
by Joanot Martorelli, Spain
Novel, originally Tirant Lo Blanch
1499
 
The Tragicomedy of Calisto and Melibea
by Fernando de Rojas, Spain
Novel, also known as La Celestina, originally Tragicomedia de Calisto y Melibea
1554
 
Lazarillo de Tormes
Anonymous, Spain
Novella, also known as The Life of Lazarillo de Tormes and of His Fortunes and Adversities or The Guide of Tormes
1569–1589
 
The Araucaniad
by Alonso Ercilla, Spain
Epic poem
1578–1591
 
Poems of Saint John of the Cross
by Saint John of the Cross, Spain
Poetry collection
1585
 
La Galatea
by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Spain
Novel
1588
 
The Interior Castle
by Teresa of Ávila, Spain, Philosophy
1599–1604
 
Guzmán de Alfarache
by Mateo Alemán, Spain
Novel
1605–1615
missing graphic
Don Quixote
Novel

First, get refined ideas of "classic" out of your mind when you approach Don Quixote. For, as with many of the greatest works of prose literature, this is a lively, earthy story of flesh-and-blood people. Sure, the central.... CritiqueQuotesTextBuy

1613
 
Solitudes
by Luis de Góngora, Spain
Poem, originally Soledads
1617
 
The Travails of Persiles and Sigismunda
by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Spain
Novel
1619
 
Lost in a Mirror
by Lope de Vega, Spain
Play
1626
 
The Swindler
by Fransisco de Queveda, Spain
Novel, also known as History of the Life of the Swindler, Called Don Pablos or Paul the Sharper or The Scavenger, originally Historia de la vida del Buscón, llamado Don Pablos, ejemplo de vagamundos y espejo de tacaños
1631
 
Punishment Without Revenge
by Lope de Vega, Spain
Play
1635
 
Life Is a Dream
by Pedro Calderón de la Barca, Spain
Play
1643
 
The Mayor of Zalamea
by Pedro Calderón de la Barca, Spain
Play
1871
 
Rimas
by Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer, Spain
Poetry collection
1872–1912
 
National Episodes
by Benito Pérez Galdós, Spain
Novel series, originally Episodios Nacionales, includes Trafalgar, Bailéri, Zaragoza, Gerona, Cádiz, The Battle of Salamanca, and others.
1874
 
Pepita Jimenez
by Juan Valera, Spain
Novel
1884–1885
 
The Regent
by Clarin, Spain
Novel in two volumes, originally La ragenta
1886
 
The House of Ulloa
by Emilia Pardo Bazán, Spain
Novel
 
 
Compassion
by Benito Pérez Galdós, Spain
Novel
1887
 
Fortunata and Jacinta
by Benito Pérez Galdós, Spain
Novel
1905
 
Solitude
by Victor Català (Caterina Albert), Spain
Novel
1907
 
Poems
by Miguel de Unamuno, Spain
Poetry collection
1914
 
Platero and I
by Juan Ramón Jiménez, Spain, long poem
1920
 
Bohemian Nights
by Ramón del Valle-Inclán, Spain
Play
1928
 
Gypsy Ballads
by Federico García Lorca, Spain
Poetry collection, originally Romancero gitano
1936
 
Juan de Mairena
by Antonio Machado, Spain
Novel
1936–1962
 
The Reality and the Desire
by Luis Cernuda, Spain
Poetry collection
1938
 
Complete Poems
by Antonio Machado, Spain
Poetry collection
1940
 
Poet in New York
by Federico García Lorca, Spain
Poetry collection, originally Poeta en Nueva York
1942
 
The Family of Pascual Duarte
by Camilo José Cela, Spain
Novel, originally La familia de Pascual Duarte
1945
 
Nada
by Carmen Laforet, Spain
Novel
 
 
The Shadow of the Wind
by Carlos Luiz Zafon, Spain
Novel
1948
 
Journey to the Alcarria
by Camilo José Cela, Spain
Nonfiction
1950
 
The Hive
by Camilo José Cela, Spain
Novel
1957–1962
 
The Joys and the Sorrows
by Xosé Neira Vilas, Spain
Novel series, originally Los gozos y las sombras, includes incl. The lord arrives, Where the air turns, and The sad Easter.
1961
 
Memoirs of a Peasant Boy
by Xosé Neira Vilas, Spain
Novel
1962
 
Time of Silence
by Luis Martín-Santos, Spain
Novel
 
 
The Time of the Doves
by Mercè Rodoreda, Spain
Novel
1966
 
Marks of Identity
by Juan Goytisolo, Spain
Novel
1971
 
The Poetry of Luis Cernuda
by Luis Cernuda, Spain
Poetry collection
1975
 
A Mortal Spring
by Francisco Umbral, Spain
Novel
1978
 
The Back Room
by Carmen Martín Gaite, Spain
Novel
1979
 
The Southern Seas
by Manuel Vázquez Montalbán, Spain
Novel
1983
 
Larva: Midsummer Night's Babel
by Julián Ríos, Spain
Novel
1984
 
Last Evenings with Teresa
by Juan Marsé, Spain
Novel
1986
 
The City of Marvels
by Eduardo Mendoza, Spain
Novel
1988
 
Obabakoak
by Bernardo Atxaga, Spain
Novel
1989
 
All Souls
by Javier Marías, Spain
Novel
1992
 
A Heart So White
by Javier Marías, Spain
Novel, originally Corazón tan blanco
1993
 
The Club Dumas
by Arturo Pérez-Reverte, Spain
Novel, originally El Club Dumas
1996
 
Forgotten King Gudú
by Ana Maria Matute, Spain
Novel, originally Olvidado rey Gudú
 
 
Captain Alatriste
by Arturo Pérez-Reverte, Spain
Novel
1998
 
The Heretic
by Miguel Delibes, Spain
Novel
2000
 
Bartleby & Co.
by Enrique Vila-Matas, Spain
Novel
2001
 
Soldiers of Salamis
by Javier Cercas, Spain
Novel
2002–2007
 
Your Face Tomorrow
by Javier Marías, Spain
Novel in three volumes, originally Tu rostro mañana
2011
 
The Infatuations
by Javier Marías, Spain
Novel

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