This is the first comprehensive history of Spanish literature to be published in English since the 1970s. It brings together experts from the USA, the United Kingdom, and Spain. Together, the essays cover the full range of Spanish poetry, prose, and theatre from the early Middle Ages to the present day. The classics of the canon of eleven centuries of Spanish literature are covered, from Berceo, Cervantes and Calderón to García Lorca and Martín Gaite, but attention is also paid to lesser known writers and works. The chapters chart a wide range of literary periods and movements. The volume concludes with a consideration of the influences of film and new media on modern Spanish literature. This invaluable book contains an introduction, more than fifty substantial chapters, a chronology (covering key events in history, literature, and art), a bibliography, and a comprehensive index for easy reference.

'… for those readers seeking contextualization, theoretical breadth, and insightful criticism into the dynamics of historical and literary change in Spain, and who embrace the notion that juxtaposition of works and authors does not compel coalescence, this Cambridge history stands unsurpassed.'

David K. Herzberger - University of California

'Gies has chosen an eminent group of scholars from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Spain to collaborate with him on the project, and the result is an incisive, thorough, and varied presentation of texts, authors, currents, and movements. … Gies and his collaborators recognize the irony of a search for objective literary history, and they use this irony to their advantage. They negotiate the old and the new with relative ease. Their scholarly criteria are rigorous, and their subjective critical acumen becomes part of the frame. Along with the factual information that is associated with manuals of literature, this history bears the imprint of distinct and compelling analytical processes. The book is an admirable reference tool and a treat to read.'

Edward H. Friedman Source: Romance Quarterly

‘This impressive history of the literature of Spain sets a new standard of excellence.’

R. M. Fedorchek Source: Choice

‘An attempt to compile a historical, critical anthology of one of the world's richest literary traditions is undeniably a Herculean task. The Cambridge History of Spanish Literature is the first work of such magnitude to be published in English since the 1970s. Aside from being a great resource for teachers and students, it offers the general audience a brilliant introduction to the Spanish literary panorama, from its beginnings to the end of the last century. … It overflows with information deftly presented by some of the top international scholars.'

Jasmina Arsova Source: Mester