Madrid

Footnotes in the Capital: Tracing Madrid’s Literary Imprint

The literature of Madrid—especially its rich tradition of novels set in the capital—has defined Spain’s literary heritage for centuries. From Miguel de Cervantes’s groundbreaking work, which first brought Don Quixote to life in Madrid’s bookshops, to the plays of Lope de Vega and Pedro Calderón de la Barca that drew on the city’s vibrant theater scene, Madrid itself emerges as a protagonist in countless classics.

In more recent times, authors such as Benito Pérez Galdós, Francisco Umbral, Javier Marías, and Almudena Grandes have continued to chart Madrid’s evolution—its neighborhoods, its people, its pulse—through novels and essays that read like love letters to the city. Whether you’re exploring medieval plazas or modern cafés, these landmark works invite you to discover Madrid not just as a setting, but as the very heart of Spain’s storytelling.

Madrid reading list

Pedro Calderón de la Barca

La vida es sueño

Cover of La vida es sueño by Pedro Calderón de la Barca

In this philosophical drama, prince Segismundo grapples with fate and freedom when imprisoned by his father in a tower near Madrid. First published in Madrid in 1636, it embodies Calderón’s baroque style and exploration of agency.

Miguel de Cervantes

Don Quixote

Cover of Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes

Cervantes’s sprawling novel follows the idealistic Hidalgo Alonso Quixano as he roams Spain with his squire, Sancho Panza, skewering social conventions. Published in Madrid in 1605, it sharply satirizes the city’s literary milieu and burgeoning book trade.

Ben Curtis

Errant in Iberia

Cover of Errant in Iberia by Ben Curtis

Errant in Iberia is a reflective memoir that details Ben Curtis’s transformative relocation to Spain, intricately capturing his journey of cultural adaptation and linguistic challenges while exploring the nuances of a vibrant Spanish society.

María Dueñas

The Time in Between

Cover of The Time in Between by María Dueñas

The Time in Between is a richly textured historical novel that follows Sira Quiroga, a seamstress in 1930s Madrid, as she becomes enmeshed in the clandestine world of espionage during the turbulent Spanish Civil War, revealing personal and political transformations.

Christina Fitzpatrick

What’s the Girl Worth?

Cover of What

What’s the Girl Worth? is a compelling narrative that follows Catherine Kelly as she meanders through the vibrant streets of Madrid, confronting profound personal loss and embarking on an emotionally charged journey towards self-discovery and inner resilience.

Benito Pérez Galdós

Fortunata and Jacinta

Cover of Fortunata and Jacinta by Benito Pérez Galdós

Fortunata and Jacinta is a celebrated classic that portrays 19th-century Madrid with vivid detail, intricately exploring themes of passionate love, rigid social class distinctions, and the multifaceted complexities inherent in human relationships, all rendered with masterful realism.

Almudena Grandes

The Ages of Lulu

Cover of The Ages of Lulu by Almudena Grandes

This novel follows María Luisa (Lulu) through her sexual awakenings in Madrid’s bohemian quarters, exploring desire, morality, and womanhood. Translated by Sonia Soto and first published in English in 1993, it vividly captures the city’s café culture and intimate drama.

Ernest Hemingway

The Sun Also Rises

Cover of The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway

The Sun Also Rises is a seminal work that follows a cadre of expatriates journeying from Paris to Spain, capturing the moral and spiritual disillusionment of the post-World War I generation through a narrative of lost ideals.

Lamar Herrin

House of the Deaf

Cover of House of the Deaf by Lamar Herrin

House of the Deaf is a poignant narrative following Ben Williamson, who grapples with the loss of his daughter in a Basque bombing in Madrid, as he embarks on a quest to uncover the truth behind her tragic demise.

Munro Leaf (Illustrated by Robert Lawson)

The Story of Ferdinand

Cover of The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf (Illustrated by Robert Lawson)

The Story of Ferdinand is a timeless children’s classic that charmingly recounts the tale of a gentle bull in Madrid, whose preference for the fragrance of flowers over violent bullfights symbolises a peaceful defiance of traditional expectations.

Ben Lerner

Leaving the Atocha Station

Cover of Leaving the Atocha Station by Ben Lerner

Leaving the Atocha Station is an introspective novel that follows a young American poet in Madrid, delving into themes of artistic authenticity, self-discovery, and personal struggle, all set against the vibrant backdrop of Spain’s capital.

Eduardo Mendoza

An Englishman in Madrid

Cover of An Englishman in Madrid by Eduardo Mendoza

An Englishman in Madrid is a witty historical novel that follows an English art historian embroiled in the political intrigues and espionage of 1930s Madrid, all while meticulously assessing a nobleman’s art collection amidst a turbulent era.

Bárbara Mujica

I Am Venus

Cover of I Am Venus by Bárbara Mujica

I Am Venus is an evocative historical novel that delves into the life of the master painter Diego Velázquez, unraveling the mystery surrounding the identity of the enigmatic model for his iconic nude painting with thoughtful narrative finesse.

Javier Marías

The Infatuations

Cover of The Infatuations by Javier Marías

The Infatuations is an intricate novel that follows María Dolz, whose casual observations at her favourite Madrid café lead her into a perplexing murder mystery, unravelling hidden secrets and the dark undercurrents of contemporary urban life.

Arturo Pérez-Reverte

The Fencing Master

Cover of The Fencing Master by Arturo Pérez-Reverte

The Fencing Master is a meticulously crafted historical novel set in 1868 Madrid, where a seasoned fencing master is drawn into intricate political intrigues after a mysterious woman seeks his tutelage, thereby altering the course of his life.

The Club Dumas

Cover of The Club Dumas by Arturo Pérez-Reverte

The Club Dumas is an enthralling mystery novel that tracks a determined book dealer’s investigation into a rare manuscript, plunging him into a labyrinthine world of devil worshippers and bibliophiles across Madrid and diverse European locales.

C.J. Sansom

Winter in Madrid

Cover of Winter in Madrid by C.J. Sansom

Winter in Madrid is a deft historical spy novel set in the tumultuous aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, chronicling a British spy’s intricate navigation of war-torn Madrid as he rekindles old alliances and confronts new deceptions.

Karen Swan

The Spanish Promise

Cover of The Spanish Promise by Karen Swan

The Spanish Promise is an intricately woven novel that interlaces past and present, unravelling a long-hidden secret from the Spanish Civil War and exploring its profound impact on the destinies of future generations with compelling narrative depth.

Lope de Vega

Fuenteovejuna

Cover of Fuenteovejuna by Lope de Vega

This play dramatizes villagers’ collective uprising against a corrupt commander. First published in Madrid in 1619 as part of his collected comedies, it reflects Lope de Vega’s engagement with the city’s theatrical culture and explores themes of communal honor that resonated with urban audiences.

This project is growing steadily, starting with curated reading lists and gradually expanding to include literary locations in each featured city.

The long-term goal is to read the books, visit the locations they evoke, and share reviews alongside photos and insights. At the moment, it’s a solo effort built around full-time work — so updates may take time.

If you have suggestions to contribute, or would like to share a review based on how well a book helped you explore a place through literature, feel free to get in touch here.