Antonio Gala, the first rock star of Spanish literature, dies

The first Sunday of the Madrid Book Fair — the most important event in the Spanish publishing industry — is dead Antony Gala (Ciudad Real, 1930-Córdoba, 2023), a great figure of Latin American letters and the creator — besides — of others who will one day be. Between the walls of the old Cordovan monastery from the 17th century, he gave opportunities in the form of scholarships to young talents through his foundation, “his great work”he said with conviction. He spent the last 15 years of his life there after hanging up his writing gear and becoming a generous patron, suffering from aggressive colon cancer that took him at age 92.

Gala had a long and fulfilling life that on one occasion he even dared to say that he was not in the least afraid of death. “He died alive,” he thought, expecting his epitaph. Only those who have achieved everything, or almost, and who on some occasion looked directly at their hair, and it, haughtily, turned their backs can be placed there. Fear remains, but fear disappears. a man of character, created a solid personal brand that made him the first rock star of the Spanish alphabet: presence — shawl tied round neck, weight on one of its 3000 staffs, combed lion’s mane; dashing he—and personality, endless lines for autograph signings and a monopoly on the best-seller lists, stellar television appearances, spot-on observations, cover meat, more than 500 literary awards, and nearly fifty published works. Sharp fangs and extreme sensitivity. Irony. Lucidity. It was winter, it came and it was summer.

He was born in Brazatortas, a Castilian town at the foot of the Sierra de la Solana de Alcudia, but his family soon moved south, and he spent his childhood in Córdoba. He studied everything that was put before him: first law in Seville and then in Madrid, philosophy and literature, political and economic sciences. He opposed the Association of State Attorneys and spent some time in the contemplative order of the Carthusians from Jerez, from where he was eventually expelled – the monastic life was not for him – before going on a pilgrimage to Bohemian life from Portugal to Italy. In the meantime, I read and read, and thought and thought, curious, and around the corner came recognition, an introduction to success: second prize for the Adonáis Poetry Prize for an intimate enemy. He was 29 years old.

He soon settled down, committed and also daring, on the columns of the most important newspapers and devoted himself to nurturing his own first game, which combines more than 20 titlesamong which are gems such as Peter Regalado, small hotel and Seneca or the benefit of the doubt. Gala never neglected poetry, and in the nineties she finally ventured out with a novel. The debut came with fireworks: crimson handwriting won the Planeta award and immediately colonized the bedside tables of all Spanish homes. He followed him Turkish passion —which Vicente Aranda took to the cinema with Ana Belén as the protagonist—, Granada Nasrid, outside the garden, Impossible to forget and autobiography now I will talk about myself, among many others. Almost one book a year until 2008.

All his books are about me

He was good at reaching the hearts of the readers. He said yes, it was bought a lot, but he added that the reading material is not read that much. He was wrong and he must have known it, he must have intentionally invoked modesty because he was smart, he threw them sweetly, but also poisoned, lapidary, comfortable in his role. The reality is that his followers were – and are – an army, but his popularity has boiled over so much that, perhaps, he has gone too far. And in this he was wrong if, undoubtedly, he turned his head thinking that he was relegated to the commercial sphere: the truth is that his lyrics always touch the heart muscle, the one who looks at them sees himself in them. That’s what you feel. All heartbreak recounted is the righteous heartbreak of the one broadcasting the pages. And without giving up the simple formula.

When the body became ill, the figure retreated. He stepped away from the gathering, losing focus; He tamed himself and, a visionary like few others — more than 20 years ago in an interview for La Voz he was convinced that the short story is a literary genre of the new age dominated by images and immediacy —, dedicated to teaching, promoting and following rising creators like Ben Clark, Sara Torres, Cristina Morales or the Galician Alba Carballal. He leaves, but leaves behind thousands of worlds. And in one place.

Antonio Gala, in five books

“The Crimson Manuscript”

The first novel, winner of the Premio Planeta in 1990. Reconstructs the life of Boabdil, the last Nasrid king of Granada, through fictitious manuscripts found in 1931. Plots in the palace, a kingdom in decline and erotic games. A life that is enjoyed and endured.

“Turkish Passion”

A high-voltage story that reflects desire brought to its extreme consequences. A woman from Huesca, bored with life and marriage, meets a handsome tour guide during a trip to Turkey, with whom she has a stormy relationship.

“Ladies’ rings”

The play from 1973, which brought Gala the audience and critics’ award. It introduces Jimena Díaz two years after the death of El Cid. She is in Valencia, the city her husband conquered, and from there, in love with her nephew, she longs for freedom. His frustration shines through.

“Now I will talk about myself”

An autobiography in which the writer collects memories and anecdotes, but also social and political reflections in order to shake off the label and understand the readers, getting closer to them. Structured in 24 chapters, it devotes a not at all innocent view of everyday life.

“Intimate Enemy”

His first book of poetry: “There are afternoons when everything smells of burnt juniper and the promised land (…). And suddenly a mouth seeks our mouth, and some hands press our hands, and there is a voice full of love that tells us: “Wake up.” I’m here. Get up”. And we live.”