Definition
Jaume Cabré (born 13 February 1947) is a Catalan novelist, playwright, essayist and screenwriter, widely recognized for his contributions to contemporary Catalan literature.
Overview
Cabré was born in Barcelona, Spain, and studied law before turning to literature and journalism. He began publishing short stories in the 1970s and achieved his first major success with the novel Les veus del Pamano (1979). Over the following decades he produced a series of acclaimed works, including Mària (1993), Tres dies i mig (1995), L’ombra de l’atzar (2006) and Jo confesso (2010). His novels are noted for their intricate structures, extensive historical research, and exploration of themes such as memory, identity, and the passage of time.
Cabré has received numerous literary distinctions, among them the Premi Sant Jordi (1995), the Premi d'Honor de les Lletres Catalanes (2009), the Premi Nacional de Narrativa (Spain, 2010) for Jo confesso, and the Premi Crítica Serra d'Or. He has also been active in cultural institutions, serving as director of the Institut Català de les Arts del Llibre (ICALL) and teaching narrative theory at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.
In addition to his novels, Cabré has written plays, essays, and screenplays for film and television, contributing to the broader Catalan cultural scene.
Etymology/Origin
- Jaume is the Catalan form of the given name James, derived from the Hebrew name Ya‘aqōb (“holder of the heel” or “supplanter”).
- Cabré is a Catalan surname that originates from the Latin word caper (“goat”) and historically may have referred to a person who tended goats or lived near a place associated with goats.
Characteristics
- Literary style: Cabré’s narrative technique often combines multiple temporal layers, extensive footnotes, and a blend of fictional and documentary elements.
- Thematic focus: His work frequently engages with Catalan and Spanish history, the reconstruction of collective memory, and philosophical questions about truth and storytelling.
- Language: He writes predominantly in Catalan, contributing to the revitalization and international visibility of Catalan-language literature.
- Interdisciplinary work: Beyond fiction, Cabré has produced essays on narrative theory and participated in screenwriting, reflecting a versatile engagement with narrative forms.
Related Topics
- Catalan literature
- Contemporary Spanish fiction
- Narrative theory
- Premi Sant Jordi (Catalan literary award)
- Institut Català de les Arts del Llibre (ICALL)
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) literary studies
All information presented is based on publicly available, verifiable sources.