There are other lists of recommendations like those that suggest a certain number of readings before dying, and these also begin with the historical novel genre. According to the ‘Barometer of reading habits and book purchase’ prepared by the Federation of Publishers Guilds of Spain (FPGS), 55% of the population over 14 years is declared frequent or occasional reader, and the most requested gender is the historical. En una entrevista a la escritora Ángeles de Irisarri (Zaragoza, 1947) autora de una trilogía sobre la vida de Isabel la Católica, se le preguntó:
sobre historia de las jóvenes generaciones, ya que ni siquiera se incluye como asignatura en los institutos. Y por otro lado se introduce en este género otro factor, un elemento psicológico, que es la incertidumbre sobre el porvenir y que justificaría este tipo de pasión consumidora, todo ello dentro de un contexto de crisis económica y crispación política y social. Como mostró la memoria del holocausto: “Quien olvida la historia, está condenado a repetirla”. El controvertido escritor Arturo Pérez-Reverte declaró recientemente: “La novela histórica te ayuda a estar prevenido” y esta reflexión es muy abarcadora.
¿Por qué tiene éxito la novela histórica?
In an interview with the writer Angeles de Irisarri (Zaragoza, 1947), author of a trilogy about the life of “Isabel la Catolica”, was asked:
In an interview with the writer Angeles de Irisarri (Zaragoza, 1947), author of a trilogy about the life of “Isabel la Catolica”, was asked:
Why is the historical novel successful?
Why is the historical novel successful? Su respuesta para El País fue: “Cada vez se estudia menos historia, pero la gente quiere saber. La novela histórica gusta porque queremos conocer nuestra raíces.” En esta misma línea argumental, Luis Goytisolo apunta en su libro: “Naturaleza de la novela” a que el éxito del género se debe al desconocimiento
In the same scenario, Luis Goytisolo points out in his book: “Nature of the novel” that the success of the genre is due to ignorance about the history of the younger generations, since it is not even included as a subject in the high schools. And on the other hand another factor is introduced into this genre, a psychological element, which is the uncertainty about the future and it would justify this type of consuming passion, all within a context of economic crisis and political and social tension. As the memory of the holocaust showed: “Whoever forgets history, is condemned to repeat it”. The controversial writer Arturo Perez-Reverte recently declared: “The historical novel helps you to be warned” and this reflection is very wide.
INFOGUIA SITGES MAGAZINE Nº151 · ENERO 2018
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