Censorship Files

Alejandro Herrero-Olaizola (2007)

Overview

This study investigates the critical role of Franco's censorship apparatus in shaping the Latin American literary Boom of the 1960s and 1970s. Drawing on extensive research from the Spanish National Archive, it uncovers the complex negotiations and behind-the-scenes activities within Spain's publishing industry. The book details how converging interests brought together left-wing authors and conservative officials tasked with upholding Francoist morality and linguistic purity.

It highlights the involvement of prominent figures like Barcelona publisher Carlos Barral and literary agent Carmen Balcells. The author traces the publication journeys of novels by Mario Vargas Llosa, Guillermo Cabrera Infante, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and Manuel Puig, explaining how their Spanish publication led to global reach. This account argues that even groundbreaking literature is influenced by the economics of the book trade, governmental institutions, and political ideologies.

Who it's for

• Readers interested in the history of Spanish and Latin American literature.
• Scholars and students of 20th-century publishing and censorship.
• Those curious about the intersection of politics, ideology, and literary production.

Key features

• Hardcover binding
• 233 pages
• Published in 2007
• ISBN: 9780791469859
• Publisher: NBN International