Juan García Hortelano facts for kids

Juan García Hortelano (born February 14, 1928 – died April 3, 1992) was a talented Spanish writer. He was born in Madrid on Valentine's Day in 1928.

Early Life and Education

Juan's father was a doctor. When the Spanish Civil War started, Juan and his siblings were sent to Cuenca for safety. He returned to Madrid in 1937 and lived with his grandparents. He loved reading, spending lots of time in school and home libraries.

In 1941, he started college. Later, he studied law at Madrid University. After finishing his studies, he joined the Civil Service in 1953. This was his main job in Madrid throughout his life.

A Life of Writing

Even with his administrative job, Juan García Hortelano was very dedicated to writing. He wrote with great passion and discipline. He also became good friends with many other important writers and thinkers of his time. Some of these friends included Juan Benet, Carlos Barral, Jaime Gil de Biedma, Juan Marsé, and Ángel González.

His Famous Books

Juan García Hortelano won several important awards for his writing. In 1959, he won the Premio Biblioteca Breve for his novel Nuevas amistades (which means New Friendships). He then won the Prix Formentor for his book Tormenta de verano (meaning Summer Storm). This book was even translated into English.

His writing style was part of a movement called "social realism." This meant his stories often showed real-life situations and problems in society during the 1950s in Spain. In 1972, his book El gran momento de Mary Tribune (Mary Tribune's Big Moment) became his most popular book and sold many copies.

Juan's books were translated into many different languages, showing how widely recognized his work was. He also worked as a translator himself, bringing books by authors like Boris Vian, Celine, and Robert Walser to Spanish readers.

Legacy

Juan García Hortelano passed away in Madrid in April 1992. He is remembered as an important Spanish writer whose stories captured the spirit of his time.