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Works of notable authors such as Ernest Hemingway (1940) remind us of the grim reality of the Spanish Civil War, presenting the complexities within the society. The captivating greatness of Spain contradicts its fragility when it comes to beliefs. Still, the literature of this period assures that the country has always evoked fascination in those fortunate enough to experience this colorful landscape of values, even if for a short period.
Among them was the great Bulgarian writer Dimitar Dimov. Spending only a year in Spain for his studies between 1943 and 1944, he immersed himself to such an extent in the Spanish culture, that he created a tangible and valuable heritage for the generations ahead, namely the novel “Damned Souls”. Dimov’s journey in Spain happens to be during one of the most crucial moments of Spanish history, Franco’s dictatorship.
While Dimov's representation of the Spanish landscape is explicit, it is the characters' emotions and inner conflicts that reflect the country’s distinctiveness and give life to Dimov's Spain, making them a primary reference in this essay.
By examining Dimov’s perspective in his novel, this paper focuses on his reading of Spanish society just before the Civil War. The research takes into consideration the author’s prism of experiences, critical thinking, and artistic soul, daring enough to even challenge the communist dogma in his following work.
