The 55 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, plays, epic poetry and story collections—although some shorter or nonfiction writing of literary significance may also be included.
Latest update: January, 2024
c. 1140
The Poem of the Cid
by Anonymous, Spain, long poem
1251
Calia and Dimna
by Anonymous, Spain
Story collection
1330–1343
The Book of Good Love
by Juan Ruiz, Spain, long poem
1443–1448
Curial and Guelfa
by Anonymous, Spain
Novel
1476
Jorge Manrique
by Verses on the Death of Don Rodrigo Manrique, His Father, Spain
Poem
1499
The Tragicomedy of Calisto and Melibea
by Fernando de Rojas, Spain
Novel
1554
Lazarillo de Tormes
by Anonymous, Spain
Novella
1569–1589
The Araucaniad
by Alonso Ercilla, Spain, long 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
1613
Solitudes
by Luis de Góngora, Spain, long poem
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
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
1874
Pepita Jimenez
by Juan Valera, Spain
Novel
1884–1885
La Regenta
by Clarín, Spain
Novel
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
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
1945
Nada
by Carmen Laforet, Spain
Novel
1945
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
1961
Memoirs of a Peasant Boy
by Xosé Neira Vilas, Spain
Novel
1962
Time of Silence
by Luis Martín-Santos, 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
1988
Obabakoak
by Bernardo Atxaga, Spain
Novel
1989
All Souls
by Javier Marías, Spain
Novel
1993
The Dumas Club
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
2011
The Infatuations
by Javier Marías, Spain
Novel
