detective novels in Spanish?

[Jon Hundt]

I read some of the threads about reading spanish novels. When I go to my local library's small Spanish section I see loads of 'heavy' literature, but not much light recreational reading. I don't read much heavy stuff in English - why start now?

One of my learning tools for French was Inspector Maigret books. Easy to read, interesting stories and characters, and lots of dialog. So what if my French is limited to 1950's cops-and-gangsters slang!?

Does anyone know of a series of Spanish detective series? I prefer series where the same characters feature in each book, it makes it a little easier for me to get into the stories.

[Edith]

Hi Jon, and welcome to the forum. We are neighbors, for I live near Utrecht. :-)

I don't know about any detective novels in Spanish, but have you heard of Arturo Pérez-Reverte? He writes adventure stories which are often situated in the 17th century. I haven't read any of his novels yet, although they are on my 'to read' list. Here is his official website:

http://www.capitanalatriste.com/


Groetjes,

Edith

[richardksa]

I recently spent (too much) time in Madrid's FNAC trying to find a Spanish detective novel. However as I am still in the early stages of learning the language I didn't want too much slang, which my pocket dictionary will not have. Failed! Bought Agatha Christie's Poirot in translation. However, it's still ok for learning. Somewhere, maybe on NFS, someone offered the advice to not to translate every word but just read and see how much you can understand. The idea being that words will stick in the context in which they are written. Well, it seems to be working, although the much thumbed dictionary is now starting to look pretty grubby!!

[Ben]

Hi Jon, and welcome! I'm also sorry that I can't help with a series, but I thoroughly enjoyed Angels and Demons by Dan Brown translated into Spanish. The pace is fast enough to keep you going all the way to the end in a matter of days!

[Victor]

Detective Pepe Carvalho (more than 20 novels), by Vázquez Montalbán, even though I haven't read any of his books, I think that is exactly what you are looking for.

[Edith]

However as I am still in the early stages of learning the language I didn't want too much slang, which my pocket dictionary will not have.

IMO, that is precisely why reading detective novels in a foreign language is not as easy as people think. I bet Isabel Allende is an easier read than the average detective novel.

[Jon Hundt]

thanks for the warm welcome, and the replies.

Here's why I like the detectives as a learning tool: the slang and 'street-level' dialog is very helpful. I read the book without using a dictionary. Looking up words just kills the pace of a thriller. I do jot down a word sometimes so I can look it up later. Sometimes I read the book twice, the second time through studying the grammar and vocabulary closer.

I really like books based on a local character, then you get to learn something about the area, the people, customs, etc. For example before moving to Holland I read a lot of books based on Inspector De Cock, all full of local Amsterdam color and characters.

Recently I read a Spanish translation of Adrian Mole's Diary. That was lots of fun. If you think about how a kid writes a diary - In one day's entry he might talk about past, present and future events, all mixed up with kid-slang. That keeps you on your toes!

[Edith]

Recently I read a Spanish translation of Adrian Mole's Diary.

Adrian Mole's diaries are hilariously funny! ;D I've read them all in English and I wonder what they are like in Spanish. The problem with translations is that some aspects of the original tend to get lost during the process (traduire, c'est mourir un peu).

[timg]

I tend to find translations (in whichever direction) unsatisfying - they always seem to contain some oddities of language that just clash and sound/feel wrong, regardless of the translator.

Have you tried La hija del caníbal (http://www.clubcultura.com/clubliteratura/clubescritores/montero/obra_canibal.htm) by Rosa Montero?

[Jon Hundt]

true, I prefer to read in the original language - that's why I'm seeking out Spanish detectives. Translation probably robs something from the original, depending of course on the skill of the translator.

On the other hand, re-reading something that I have already read in English (like Adrian Mole) lets me just read at my normal reading pace, without trying to break down each sentence. I just let the story unfold, and try to pick up some rhythm and feel of the language.

I guess that the main thing is to just keep reading something, and trying to improve.

Edith - if you would like to read Adrian Mole in Spanish, send me your address and I'll mail it to you. Here's my email - jhundt@wanadoo.nl

[Edith]

Edith - if you would like to read Adrian Mole in Spanish, send me your address and I'll mail it to you. Here's my email - jhundt@wanadoo.nl

Thanks for the offer Jon, but my 'To Read' stack is growing and growing - I have yet to finish an 800-page novel by Mario Vargas Llosa in Spanish and there are more books waiting for me, both in Spanish and English, and fiction as well as non-fiction! But thanks for your kind offer, anyway! :)

You said you started learning Dutch before moving to Holland. That's great, I have never heard that before. BTW, are you watching 'Adios Familie Gunneweg' by the KRO on Nederland 1 every Thursday night at nine o'clock? In my opinion, this family which decided to move to Extremadura has done very little to prepare themselves for their life as a prospective immigrant - apparently, the mother didn't speak a word of Spanish before moving to Spain even though there is tons of stuff available on the Internet, apart from all the Spanish language classes you can attend all over Holland. She doesn't appear to be very adventurous because even a visit to the local Spanish supermarket makes her feel anxious. And the kids do not seem to be happy with their parents' decision in the first place, so I think their project is doomed. This series would be very educational for all those people who keep on whining about immigrants and expats who do not speak Dutch very well... :D

[Jon Hundt]

So that's where they are. I tried to watch part of the first episode, but all I saw was a disco-party in Holland before I gave up. Then I watched last week and wondered where they were living in Spain. I think the whole adventure is a mess. Like you said, no-one speaks Spanish, it also seems like no-one except the fater even wants to be there. They spent a lot of time wishing they were home.

We moved to Holland when our son was 14 - a BIG mistake. He did not want to move, and decided that he did not want to learn Dutch. After 6 years he still won't speak a word. He dropped out of school (and that was even an English-language international school), didn't make friends and had lots of problems.

When I watched Familie Gunneweg I wondered why the parents didn't hold on 2 years or so and let the kids finish school in Holland, surrounded by friends. The school in Spain looks fine, but there is not much special help for foreign kids, and it must be really hard for those two.

If the family had moved to the coast it would have been a different story. Around Malaga there are so many Dutch, German and English the kids could have got extra attention and begun a social life lots easier. I don't think the G. family knows what they're doing, but at least they get to be on TV in Holland.

[Edith]

Hi Jon,

Since you understand Dutch, this might interest you. Teleac has published some excerpts from its TV series 'Spanje Nu' on their website. It's about Spain and its cultural traditions:

http://www.teleac.nl/spaans/spanje_nu.jsp

Saludos

Edith

[parubin]

As it was pointed out before, Detective Pepe Carvalho by Vázquez Montalbán is the most succesful Spanish dectective novel series.

Although it is not a series (it is an only book), writer Carlos Ruiz Zafón has recently achieved a tremendous selling record with best selling novel "La Sombra del Viento" (translated into all major languages, in English "The Shadow of the Wind"). It is a quite straight-fordward detective-like story, very well written, with a very darkish atmosphere with references to 19th century novels and gotic writting. It is very enjoyable.

Another massive success story has been the series of Captain Alatriste (Capitán Alatriste) by writer Arturo Pérez Reverte. The book series was recently brought to the movies. Captain Alatriste is now on at movie theaters accross Spain, and I believe it is a great and very poetic epic piece of movie. Viggo Mortensen stars as Captain Alatriste, a 16th century loyal-to-the-bone war veteran turned into a mercenary in the streets of old Madrid.

[Jon Hundt]

I think Edith also mentioned the Capitan Alatriste series. I will try to find some of these books, because a good historical fiction series is my favorite kind of relaxation reading. And there aren't too many good historical fiction series, so this will suit me fine.

[margo]

Check out one of the many novelas detectivescas by Paco Ignacio Taibo III!
They are great! And talk about recreational reading...lots of fun and good reading comprehension practice. His gumshoe protagonist is named Héctor Belascoarán who lives and works in and around Mexico City. The novels have really interesting characters who are often affected by greed, graft and treachery of Mexican politicians. (Sometimes very thinly veiled.) Taibo can be irreverent and outspoken but always has his tongue planted firmly in cheek. The Spanish is, of course, strictly Mexican. Enjoy!!!!