READING DELIBES. CASTILLA, CHARACTERS, AND DISSEMINATION

This book is a personal reading by Miguel Delibes, which attempts to delve into the core of the Valladolid novelist's literary creation. After a general introduction to the author's universe, the book's conception lies in the compilation of previously published and unpublished articles, grouped into three large sections that coherently structure the entire collection. The first section analyzes the worldview of the Castilian land: the power of its roots and the natural wisdom it contains; Delibes's complaint about the low appreciation of its values, resulting in abandonment and depopulation. The second section analyzes the novel's characters, the linchpin of the stories he tells and a reflection of the importance of humanity for Delibes: primarily the most disadvantaged or relegated beings—the elderly ("The Red Leaf" and "Love Letters") and women—as well as those who must confront the world to defend or preserve their own identity—Gervasio ("Wood of a Hero") and Cipriano ("The Heretic"). Third, the book examines the factors that influence the dissemination power of Delibes's work: his relationship with journalism, the versatile nature of his narratives, which has led to their cinematic adaptation, and, above all, his ability to transcend the limits of time with diverse interpretations that guarantee his survival, as illustrated by the different readings of "Five Hours with Mario." In a conclusive assessment, "Reading Delibes" highlights the multiple dimensions offered by his novels, which allow for different readings in each era.