Manolito Gafotas

Manolito Gafotas.

Manolito Gafotas.

Manolito Gafotas It was the first children's novel by the Cadiz writer and journalist Elvira Lindo. Its protagonists emerged as radio characters whose voice was given by herself. To date, the series comprises eight books (plus one compilation) published between 1994 and 2012.

According to Sonia Sierra Infante, the character of Manolito Gafotas is "one of the great milestones of Spanish culture in recent decades." Sierra Infante's phrase in his doctoral thesis The superficial and the deep in the work of Elvira Lindo (2009), perfectly reflects the significance of the work.

About the author, Elvira Lindo

Elvira Lindo Garrido was born in Cádiz, Spain, on January 23, 1962. In the mid-70s he moved with his family to live in Madrid. In the Spanish capital, he completed high school and began his journalism career at the Complutense University of Madrid. Her career in radio began at a very young age - at the age of 19 - as an announcer and scriptwriter for the Spanish National Radio.

In 1994, the publication of Manolito Gafotas it represented a fantastic entry into the literary sphere. Not in vain, The dirty rags of Manolito Gafotas in 1998 he received the National Prize for Children's and Young People's Literature. Apart from Manolito Gafotas, Lindo has published eleven children's books (including series Olivia), nine adult narrative titles, four non-fiction works, three plays, and multiple screenplays.

Genesis of Manolito

In the words of Elvira Lindo, the character Manolito Gafotas "was born from the desire to have fun in my own work on the radio." Later, it was nourished by events based on childhood and on some aspects of the author's own personality. She adds, “comic characters are like that, they are born from who makes them and have very stormy interiors. Always thinking about the position they occupy in the world ”.

Lindo has expressed in various interviews that Manolito's success was really unexpected. In this regard, probably the radio origin of Manolito was crucial. Because it gives the work characteristics of an inner voice within an easy-to-understand narrative style. At the same time, it is a very fluid, persistent voice, monopolizing all interpretation, with precise interludes to give space to the comic segments.

Manolito Gafotas (1994)

In the first book, the protagonist recounts several parallel, unrelated stories that occurred in the town of Carabanchel Alto. These stories have an indeterminate chronological location between their first day of school and April 14, grandfather's birthday. The date is not accidental (the day of the proclamation of the Second Republic) as it subtly symbolizes the political preferences of the Manolito family.

An important aspect within the narrative structure is the grandiose appearance of the protagonist, transmitted with the typical naturalness of a childish mind. However, under that naive appearance, qualities of insight, kindness and commitment to the people around are revealed. All told in "the great encyclopedia" of Manolito's life.

Elvira Cute.

Elvira Cute.

Poor Manolito (1995)

In the second volume of the "great encyclopedia" of his life, Manolito realizes his remarkableness as a public person. The prologue explains the relationship between the characters in the previous book and those that appeared in this installment. Of course, his great friend Paquito Medina is very relevant (and thanks him) for correcting the 325 mistakes he had made.

En Poor Manolito, there is a certain continuity between the chapters "Aunt Melitona" and "Aunt Melitona: the return", loaded with a lot of humor. The closing chapter of this book is "A White Lie." There, the protagonist's fear entangles him in a very comical sequence when he tries to hide the inevitable: he has failed mathematics.

How molo! (1996)

This installment also begins with a fairly long prologue. In it, Manolito describes a boy who has read the second volume of his encyclopedia and arrives at Carabanchel Alto. The new character in question raises several doubts about the protagonist. Which motivate Manolito to complete —with the help of his faithful friend Paquito Medina— his particular genealogical tree full of very picturesque comments.

Also, in How molo! "al Mustaza" is introduced, a classmate of Manolito without much importance in the previous books. The narrative line continues the events of Poor Manolito (his problem with math) and is chronologically framed in the summer season.

Dirty laundry (1997)

Manolito's relevance as a public figure leads him to reflect on the loss of privacy in the prologue to his fourth volume. This kind of local fame begins to affect his relatives (particularly his mother when she goes to the market). For this reason, the protagonist experiences episodes of shame used to mix reality and fiction through the appearance of the author herself.

Lindo presents herself as a greedy woman who takes advantage of Manolito's prominence to profit from his "realiti-chous." The worst thing is the money set aside for Manolito's family: zero. The general theme of Dirty laundry it focuses on attitudes dedicated - in the words of Elvira Lindo - to the little ones, envy and jealousy.

Manolito on the road (1997)

This book is distinguished from the others in the series due to its linear narration of the route made by Manolito. Manolito on the road It consists of three parts. It begins with “Adiós Carabanchel (Alto)”; This chapter tells how Manolo (his father) decides to take his children to ease the summer for Catalina (his mother).

Apparently, the poor mother could not endure another vacation season locked in the neighborhood enduring the constant mischief and fights of her children. Anyway, in "The week of Japan" Manolito and the Imbécil (his younger brother) do multiple mischiefs inside a supermarket. The last chapter, "El zorro de la Malvarrosa" closes the book masterfully with a host of adventures and a paella on the Valencian coast.

Me and the jerk (1999)

From the outset, Elvira Lindo evidences with her title her intention to continue her exploration of issues related to “the politically correct”. Out of courtesy it should be "me and the asshole." But the phrase is deliberately reversed in order to denote the protagonist's animosity towards his little brother. The book is divided into three parts: "Your grandchildren do not forget you", "Two quite abandoned children" and "The thousand and one nights".

The names of these parts represent quite accurately the feelings of Manolito and the Imbécil. Although the circumstance - the grandfather's prostate operation - does not dampen the desire to commit mischief of the little ones. On the contrary, children get to unhinge the adults around them, causing very funny situations.

Manolito has a secret (2002)

It is the sharpest delivery of the entire saga. Its chapters tell of the visit of the mayor of Madrid to the Carabanchel Alto school. The event clearly exposes Elvira Lindo's criticism of this type of activity. Which add unnecessary stress to infants due to adult expectations. Furthermore, psychological pressure suffered by children could be classified as abuse.

Similarly, the author underlines the hypocrisy of politicians. Those who use this type of conference to proselytize and justify a rather debatable planning. It is This book has a continuation in "The flying Chinese", a story published by Lindo in The weekly country. He describes the reception of a new baby to the family from the perspective of the Moron (who sees him as a Chinese with dog qualities).

Phrase by Elvira Lindo.

Phrase by Elvira Lindo.

The best Manolo (2012)

Ten years have passed. The jealousy caused by the Moron is a thing of the past because "Chirly" has dethroned his little brother as the most spoiled of the family. Manolo's growth in turn implies a better understanding (and sacrifice) of his father Manolo's labors to support his home. Likewise, Manolito no longer perceives his mother Catalina as a punishing entity for mischief; he is more grateful to his parents.

The other iconic characters of the series are not lacking in this book: the grandfather, with whom he maintains a very significant emotional bond. The "orejones", Jihad, or the characteristic irony of the protagonist or the segments loaded with a very authentic humor do not fail the appointment either. The best Manolo It represents a finishing touch for a character highly loved by children and adults from all over Spain.


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