6 Books by Ernesto Sábato for Spanish Learners
Ernesto Sábato is a world-renowned Argentinian author responsible for creating treasured literary masterpieces in Spanish. His books have gained him a well-deserved spot among the top authors of Latin America. The compelling fictional novels captivate readers around the world and are available in different languages.
Join me in this insightful blog post where I dive deep into the top 6 books by Ernesto Sábato for Spanish learners.
Spanish Literature Is Essential for Fluency
As a Spanish student, it’s important for you to diversify your learning strategies with creative and unique resources. Reading in Spanish transforms your ability to master a language.
By reading Spanish literature, you become familiarized with complex plots and social scenarios. You learn how to contextualize and critically analyze these situations in Spanish.
Spanish literature enables you to expand your vocabulary and discover new expressions. Ultimately, reading immerses you in the Spanish language on a whole new level. You learn to comprehend complex Spanish grammar, and pronunciation. What’s more, your reading, listening, writing, and Spanish-speaking skills improve.
Ernesto Sábato books bring you close to culture, lifestyle, turmoil, and idiomatic expressions. By cultivating a reading habit with these literary gems, you start using Spanish intuitively and without hesitation.
Let’s discover more about this groundbreaking author and his fascinating life’s work.
The Life of Ernesto Sábato
Ernesto Sábato was born on June 24th, 1911 en Buenos Aires, Argentina.
He received a scholarship to study in France, where he became a research scientist. He got a Ph.D. in Physics and eventually discovered a passion for literature.
The first literary works by Ernesto Sábato were essays published in 1945. That very same year, he gave up his career in physics and devoted himself to writing full time.
In 1948 he published the first version of his most acclaimed novel, El Túnel (The Tunnel). In the coming years, he was Minister of Foreign Relations for Argentina and was named an Illustrious Citizen of Buenos Aires.
Since then, Ernesto Sábato’s work has been praised around the world. In 1984, he received the Cervantes Literature Prize.
His literary work and books are considered somewhat controversial. He’s known for being an advocate of social justice. Ernesto Sábato’s books often criticize science, rationalism, and elaborate on the human crisis.
Ernesto Sábato passed away fifty-five days ahead of his 100th birthday in 2011 due to pneumonia. He’s considered one of the most talented and prestigious authors of Argentina and is strongly admired by readers around the world.
Top 6 Books by Ernesto Sábato
1. Before the End (Antes del Fin)
Links to the Book
Antes del Fin is a recollection of Ernesto Sábato’s memoirs. In this book, he recalls his childhood memories and his journey from science studies to passionately writing. He also dives deep into the transition he experienced as he moved from Argentina to France.
This novel allows the reader to discover the ideals of Ernesto Sábato and his rebellious nature. It’s a tale of courage and tenacity that highlights how he left such an admirable legacy. It’s written with complex and beautiful Spanish that invites the reader to reflect on the author’s testimony.
2. On Heroes and Tombs (Sobre héroes y tumbas)
Links to the Book
Sobre héroes y tumbas is Ernesto Sábato’s second novel. It’s considered one of his best works and has been translated to multiple languages.
The novel focuses on Martín, a man seeking his identity and purpose in life. It follows his path as he falls in love with Alejandra.
The book focuses on loneliness and existentialism. It has emotional imagery and highlights life in Argentina in times when a colonial mindset dominated society. The novel uses references of actual history and science.
This novel is certainly for advanced Spanish readers, as it’s quite long and complex.
3. The Tunnel (El tunel)
Links to the Book
El túnel is considered the top novel by Ernesto Sábato. The novel is written in the form of a police novel and has a narrative full of mystery and existentialism.
It focuses on the main character, Juan Pablo. He’s a disturbed and unpredictable character who struggles as he finds himself in a difficult and tumultuous path without escape. El túnel is a hard book to put down, it’s intriguing and keeps you interested until the finale.
4. The Resistance (La resistencia)
Links to the Book
La resistencia is a book by Ernesto Sábato written in the form of an essay. It’s made of five lengthy letters focused on analyzing human values.
The novel denounces and calls out dehumanization due to technological advances. It also focuses on the decline of western civilization. It invites the reader to reflect on how to create a more empathetic society.
It’s been critically praised and called an awakening to reality. It’s a short book written in the form of an essay. It flows seamlessly for readers.
5. The Angel of Darkness (Abbadón el exterminador)
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Abbadon el exterminador is a book by Ernesto Sábato recognized as the best foreign book to be published in France in 1976.
This novel has elements from El túnel, and from Sobre héroes y tumbas. Together, they make up the essential trilogy of Ernesto Sábato. The story focuses on the corrupt Argentina of the 1970s. It’s another novel that’s gained reputation for its introspective plot, and for staying true to the style of Ernesto Sábato.
6. Report on the Blind (Informe sobre ciegos)
Links to the Book
Informe sobre ciegos is a valuable adaptation of a fragment of Sobre héroes y tumbas.
The reception of Ernesto Sábato’s second novel gave room for different interpretations and critiques. This novel is written in the form of a comic and dives deep into the backstory of Fernando. The main character is dark, delirious, and creates a conspiracy where the blind are plotting against his persona.
This novel by Ernesto Sábato won the best foreign book in Barcelona in 1994. It has hints of dark humor, surrealism, and plot twists. It’s a short book compared to other Ernesto Sábato novels.
Apart from Ernesto Sábato, it has the intervention of Alberto Braccia, and together they crafted an illustrated masterpiece.
Improve Your Spanish Reading Comprehension
This list of classic books by Ernesto Sábato certainly expands your resources for becoming fluent in Spanish.
Another fantastic strategy of attaining Spanish proficiency is conversing with a native speaker. When you engage in conversation and use Spanish vocabulary intuitively, you become more confident and experienced.
People who are bilingual expand their communication skills to a whole new level. Commit to the adventure of becoming a Spanish speaker today, and sign up for a free class with our certified teachers from Guatemala. They’ll teach you all sorts of complex Spanish grammar, and can equip you with the best strategies for staying on the right track to bilingualism.
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