15 Most Influential Spanish Authors of All Times

Gabriel_García_Márquez photo by Gorup de Besanez-Wikimedia

15 Most Influential Spanish Authors of All Times

Spanish writers have for centuries produced some of the best literature be it nonfiction, poetry, or even technical writing, their work has left a significant mark in the world of literature and has been met with admiration around the world. Here are the 15 Most Influential Spanish Authors of All Times

1. Isabel Allende

Allende was born In Peru to Chilean parents and her writing has taken a stronghold in the magical realism genre.

Her works are commercially successful and she has often been referred to as the world’s most widely-read Spanish language author.

Her writing has attracted several awards and led her to bask in the glory of her achievements, in 2010 she received Choles National Literature Prize. She was also awarded by Barack Obama in 2014 with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

What makes Isabelle’s Novels especially attractive to readers is she carves her stories from her personal experiences and sews them with t historical events to create a unique blend.

Her works vapour elements of myth and realism and she uses her gift to act as a standout feminist.

Some of her notable works are the house of the spirit, city of the beast, and Eva Luna.

2.Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Born on March 1927 Gabriel was considered one of the greatest Spanish language authors of the 20th century.

He is affectionately known as Gabito, he was a journalist, a short story writer, and a screenwriter. He is gifted in writing profoundly in the field of fiction and is loved for how he molds material fantasy into realistic situations.

He was awarded the Neustadt International Prize for Literature in 1972 as well as the Novel Prize in Literature in 1982 for his most famous work, One hundred years of solitude.

3. Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Carlos_Ruiz_Zafón photo by Mutari-Wikimedia

Born in Barcelona in 1964, Carlos Ruiz Zafon is perhaps of the most popular read Spanish authors of today, his works have been translated into over 50 languages

His niche was originally mystery, fantasy genre for young adults but this was all changed when the world received his famous work, The Shadow of the Wind.

Ruiz Zafon sadly died of colorectal cancer on 19^th June 2020 in Los Angeles. His notable works include The Angel’s Game and the Labyrinth of the spirits.

 4.Miguel De Cervantes

Miguel was an early Modern Spanish Writer regarded by many as one of the greatest Spanish language writers and one of the world’s most pre-eminent novelists.

He produced his most famous work Don Quixote, which is considered one of the pinnacles of world literature.

Most of Miguel’s early works were lost in the cavity of time as he spent most of his time in poverty and obscurity.

Though his life misfortunes buried his earlier contributions, his influence in the Spanish literature culture is significant, as this is evident in Spanish been often referred to as “The language of Cervantes “.

His notable works include La Galatea a d the Travails of Persiles and Sigismunda.

5. Carlos Fuentes

Carlos_Fuentes_1987 photo by Gotfryd, Bernard-Wikimedia

Born in Mexico, he was a novelist and an essayist who focused on themes of social protest and aspects of fantasy and hands a lens to view life in Mexico through the decades.

His literal works have earned him honours such as the Miguel de Cervantes Prize, he has also pocketed the highest award in Mexico, the Belisario Dominguez Medal of Honor(1999).

Some of his notable works include the old Gringo, The death of Artemio Cruz, and Aura Terra Nostra

6. Rosa Montero

Rosa Montero photo by Udoweier-Wikimedia

Born in 1951, Rosa Montero Gayo is an author of contemporary fiction and a Spanish journalist.

Her work is considered one of the most popular searches on the internet and she has gained much commercial success.

She debuted in 1979 with chronicles of heartbreak but what lit the light of fame was her work I will treat you like a queen ((1983).

Montero has obtained several awards such as World Interview Award and the National Journalism award (1981).

Rosa has published 6 children’s titles 2 short stories and 17 books. Some of her notable works are the crazed woman inside me and the Story of a translucent King.

7. Laura Esquivel

Born on September 30, 1950, Laura is a Mexican novelist, screenwriter, and politician who served from 2015 to 2018 as a member of the Mexican Congress.

Her work focuses on science fiction and magical realism and the fans of this genre would enjoy her works as it transports the reader slowly into a world of magic and fantasy with mystery transporting them into a world of entertainment.

Some of her novel works are: Like water for Chocolate, The law of love, and between the fires.

8. Jorge Luis Borges

Born in 1899, Jorge Luis was an Argentine essayist, short story writer, poet, and translator.

He was a key figure in turning Spanish language literature mainstream. His work has shed great influence on the fantasy genre and philosophical literature and it also fuelled the magic realist movement in the 20^th century in Latin American Literature.

His notable works include Ficciones El Aleph and the Library of Babel.

 9. Mario Vargas Llosa

Vargas_Losa_Göteborg_Book_Fair_2011 photo by Arild Vågen-Wikimedia

Mario Vargas was a novelist, journalist essayist, and former politician who is considered one of the greatest writers s of his generation.

As a writer, he gracefully crosses between genres and is appreciated for being able to skillfully portray murder mysteries, historical novels, and political thrillers.

His work is guided by his perception of Peruvian heritage and his experience in the world of politics.

His writing has earned him several awards such as the Jerusalem Prize (1995), the Prince of Asturias Award (1986), and the Miguel de Cervantes Prize (1994).

His notable works include The Time of The Hero, The Green House, and the city dogs.

10. Javier Marias

Javier_Marías photo by Mr. Tickle-Wikimedia

Born in Madrid in 1951 Javier was a Spanish author, columnist, and translator. In the course of his career, he has published fifteen novels, three collections of short stories, and various essays.

He is considered one of Spain’s most prolific writers and his books have been translated into forty-six languages and has sold at least 9 million times internationally.

He has several awards to his name, including The Romulo Gallegos Prize (1995) and the Austrian State Prize for European Literature (2011).

Some of his notable works are A Heart so white and Tomorrow in the battle think of me.

11. Julia Alverez

Julia was a poet, novelist, and essayist, though born in New York her parents returned her to the Dominican Republic where she spent the first decade of her life in.

Her flowery childhood life in the Dominican Republic came to a halt due to her father’s involvement in a political rebellion that forced the family to flee the country.

Julia has produced many novels such as How the Garcias Girls lost Their accent, in the Time of the Butterflies, and Yo!

Her work is loved for the deep cultural examination of two different cultures, the Dominican Republic and the United States. Her work is appreciated for the detailed investigation of Cultural stereotypes.

12. Camilo Jose Cela

Camilo was a Spanish poet, novelist, essayist, and story writer and part of the writers of the generation of the ‘36 movement, which was a name allocated to a group of artists and writers during the Spanish Civil war.

His notable works include The Family of the Pascual Duarte and the Hive. The writer was awarded the 1989 Nobel Prize in Literature for his great contribution to the literature field.

13.Federico Garicia Lorca  

Federico was a Spanish poet, theatre director and playwright who was known for his outspoken nature. 

He rose to fame through his famous work, Romancero Gitano, a book beautifully depicting life in his native Andalusia 

Federico was gay and though his writing was free and vibrant though his mind was inflicted with depression. He later succumbed to assassination during the onset of the Spanish civil war and his remains have never been found. 

Some of his notable works include Blood weeding and Yerma. 

 14. Juan Gomez_Jurado  

Juan Gomez was a Spanish journalist and author born on December 16th 1977. He was a columnist for two news stations in Spain and his works have spread across the world getting translated into 42 languages. 

He is one of the most successful Spanish authors, he is a passionate activist against cancer and is the ambassador for save the  children. Some of his notable works are The Traitors Emblem and Gods Spy. 

15.Ildefonso Falcones  

Falcones is a lawyer and a writer who rose to fame through his famous book, La Cathedral del mar which was published in 2006. 

Falcones was 50 years when he first published his first book which took him 5 years to finish before it landed in the market for release.  Some of his other notable works include La Mano de Fatima and La Reina descalza.