Carlos Ruiz Zafón Called Spanish Literature a 'Ghetto of Mediocrity'. Carlos Ruiz Zafón criticized the state of Spanish literature and the cultural scene. The bestselling author stated that the creative field in the country suffers from bureaucracy and a lack of ambition. His stance sparked wide public reaction.
Renowned Spanish writer Carlos Ruiz Zafón has sharply criticized the current literary landscape in the country. In an interview, he stated that Spanish literature has turned into a "ghetto of mediocrity, boredom, and pretentiousness," and, in his view, the cultural life of Barcelona and all of Spain has long lost its ambition and freshness.
Zafón noted that after the success of the novel "La sombra del viento" and the release of his new book "El juego del ángel," he faced pressure and a distorted perception of his persona. According to him, a closed circle has formed around literature in Spain, where personal interests and connections prevail over creativity, and professional authors are increasingly moving into film and television.
The writer emphasized that most contemporary literary works in Spain cannot compete with high-quality series and films. He believes that the best scriptwriters and storytellers today are working in these fields and not in traditional prose. Zafón also pointed out that criticism in the country is stuck in the past and does not reflect the real changes in the perception of art.
Speaking about Barcelona, Zafón stated that since the end of the Civil War the city has not experienced any significant cultural events. In his opinion, bureaucratization and excessive administrative interference in the cultural sphere have led to a decline in quality and ambition. He noted that Spain is experiencing a depression and a lack of new ideas, and the book market is gradually changing under the influence of economic factors.
Safon spoke about his approach to writing novels, comparing it to filmmaking: first the structure is created, then the details are developed, and in the end, the text must be as easy to read as possible. He also emphasized that every character in his books has a 'double'—an alternative version of themselves, which allows for a deeper exploration of themes like choice and chance in life.
In conclusion, Safon noted that modern readers are much more knowledgeable about visual and narrative techniques thanks to their experience watching films and TV series. He is convinced that these changes cannot be ignored, and that attempts to preserve old approaches only widen the gap between official criticism and the real audience.
For reference: Carlos Ruiz Zafón is one of the most successful Spanish authors of the 21st century. His novel 'La sombra del viento' has sold over 10 million copies, and 'El juego del ángel' sold a million copies in just 43 days. According to RUSSPAIN, in recent years the Spanish book market has faced a decline in the number of independent bookstores and a rise in sales through large chains, influencing the availability and diversity of literature.
