Juan del Val Crowned Winner of the 2025 Planeta Prize for ‘Vera, a Love Story’
Madrid – Author Juan del Val has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Planeta Prize, one of the most significant literary accolades in the Spanish-speaking world, for his novel, Vera, a Love Story. The prize, valued at €1 million, recognizes del Val’s compelling narrative and solidifies his position as a leading voice in contemporary Spanish literature. Ángela Banzas secured the runner-up position with her novel, When the Wind Speaks, receiving a prize of €200,000.
The announcement marks a high point in del Val’s already distinguished career, which includes winning the 2019 Primavera Novel Prize for Candela, a poignant story centered on a woman managing a neighborhood bar alongside her mother and grandmother. His consistent presence at the Planeta gala in recent years reflects his established relationship with the publishing house.
A Prolific Career Spanning Media and Literature
Del Val’s literary portfolio includes titles such as Bocabesada, Delparaíso, and The Inevitable of Love, the latter co-authored with his wife, television presenter Nuria Roca. He succeeds journalist Paloma Sánchez-Garnica, the 2024 Planeta Prize laureate, whose award was also substantial, exceeding even the Nobel Prize in Literature’s monetary value.
Beyond his novels, del Val boasts a diverse background in media, having contributed to prominent Spanish radio and television stations including Radio Nacional de España, Televisión Española, Canal 9, Antena 3, and Telecinco. He co-hosted Lo mejor que te puede pasar with Nuria Roca on Melodía FM for four years and currently serves as a co-writer for Antena 3’s popular program, El hormiguero, and a regular panelist on La Roca, hosted by his wife on La Sexta.
‘Vera, a Love Story’: A Tale of Forbidden Romance
“This prize is something so fantastic that it seems like it can only happen to others, and my life is a bit like that, a succession of good things that I didn’t expect,” del Val expressed upon receiving the award. He described Vera, a Love Story as the journey of a woman seeking liberation and learning from her mistakes – a universal experience inherent in the pursuit of freedom.
The novel’s core revolves around a passionate, yet unconventional, romance: the connection between a woman from a prominent Sevillian family and a young man from a working-class background. Del Val, acknowledging the apparent simplicity of the premise, emphasized the intricate layers of his characters, stating, “I love the easy, but I’m an enemy of the simple.”
He passionately asserted his belief in writing for a broad audience, stating, “One writes for the people, not for a supposed intellectual elite.” Del Val also championed the accessibility of literature, advocating for it to be a “popular” art form. He defended the inclusion of explicit scenes in his work, explaining they serve as a means of portraying the emotional states of his characters. He dedicated the prize to his wife, Nuria Roca.
Ángela Banzas and ‘When the Wind Speaks’: A Story Rooted in Childhood Memory
The Planeta Prize jury also recognized the compelling narrative of Ángela Banzas’s When the Wind Speaks. Banzas, a native of Santiago de Compostela, holds a degree in Political Science and Public Administration from the University of Santiago. While her professional life has been dedicated to public administration consulting, she has simultaneously cultivated a thriving literary career.
Banzas described When the Wind Speaks as her most personal work, deeply rooted in a childhood memory. She recounted a poignant experience of reading stories to a young girl named Ángeles, who was battling a terminal illness in a hospital. The novel, set in 1939, features a character named Sofía, who observes the world from a hospital bed, offering a unique perspective on the societal divisions of the time. Luz Gabás, representing the jury, praised the novel’s intrigue and evocative descriptions of the Galician landscape.
Banzas’s previous novels, El silencio de las olas (2021), La conjura de la niebla, and La sombra de la rosa (2023), are known for their blend of suspense and vivid portrayals of Galicia’s natural beauty.
Record Submissions Reflect Evolving Literary Trends
The seventy-fourth edition of the Planeta Prize received a record-breaking 1,320 submissions, demonstrating a continued vibrancy in Spanish-language literature. José Creuheras, President of Grupo Planeta, highlighted the company’s commitment to the project, stating, “We are committed to making the world a better place through books, education, and media.”
This year’s submissions also revealed a significant shift in literary trends, with traditional novels giving way to narratives influenced by social media platforms like TikTok and BookTok. The jury noted the increasing popularity of fantasy and romance genres, particularly those set in dystopian or science fiction worlds – a trend dubbed “romansy.” According to author Luz Gabás, “We need escapism from reality, and we will find it in fantasy and romance.”
Jesús Badenes, Director of Planeta’s Editorial Division, reported a 4% growth in the book industry during the first quarter of 2025, driven by fiction and young adult literature. He noted a significant increase in readership among the 14-29 age group, particularly among women, attributing this growth to the influence of TikTok and social media.
The 2025 Planeta Prize jury comprised José Manuel Blecua, Juan Eslava Galán, Luz Gabás, Pere Gimferrer, Eva Giner, Carmen Posadas, and Belén López.
What impact do you think social media will have on the future of literary genres? And how will prizes like the Planeta Prize adapt to these changing trends?
Frequently Asked Questions About the Planeta Prize and the 2025 Winners
What is the significance of the Planeta Prize in the Spanish literary world?
The Planeta Prize is widely considered one of the most prestigious literary awards in the Spanish-speaking world, offering a substantial monetary prize and significant recognition for authors.
What is Juan del Val’s ‘Vera, a Love Story’ about?
Vera, a Love Story explores the journey of a woman towards freedom and self-discovery, set against the backdrop of a forbidden romance between a woman from a wealthy family and a man from a working-class background.
Who was the runner-up for the 2025 Planeta Prize?
Ángela Banzas was the runner-up for the 2025 Planeta Prize with her novel, When the Wind Speaks, receiving a prize of €200,000.
What are the emerging trends in Spanish-language fiction, according to the Planeta Prize jury?
The jury noted a growing trend towards fantasy and romance genres, particularly those influenced by social media platforms like TikTok and BookTok, a phenomenon they termed “romansy.”
Has Juan del Val won any other major literary awards?
Yes, Juan del Val previously won the 2019 Primavera Novel Prize for his novel, Candela.
What is Ángela Banzas’s writing style known for?
Ángela Banzas is known for combining suspenseful narratives with vivid descriptions of the landscapes of her native Galicia.
Share this article with fellow book lovers and join the conversation! What are your thoughts on the changing landscape of Spanish literature?
Discover more from Archyworldys
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
