Bombazo na 75. dodjeli nagrada Planeta: Isabel Allende pobjeđuje s filmom 'La hora antes del amane', nastavkom filma 'La casa de los espíritus'

Isabel Allende, 84, has won the Premio Planeta 2026 for her novel La hora antes del alba, a sequel to her acclaimed work La casa de los espíritus. The award ceremony took place on Thursday at the Pabellón 1 of the Montjuïc venue during the Fira de Barcelona fair, with Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia presenting the prize to the Chilean author. The novel was submitted under the pseudonym Luz Ventura. Allende described receiving the award as an overwhelming emotional experience, noting she had never entered a literary competition before to avoid the possibility of being last. The novel follows Alba, the granddaughter of the protagonist of La casa de los espíritus, who returns home after being tortured and imprisoned during a dictatorship. It explores themes of survival, resilience, and the impact of political turmoil on individuals and families. Allende stated that the story was inspired by the current global rise of authoritarianism and fascism, echoing her own experiences fleeing Chile during the 1973 military coup. Allende, born in Lima in 1942, has written over 20 novels, several children's books, and memoirs. Her career began in the 1970s with plays and short stories, and she gained international recognition with La casa de los espíritus in 1982. She has received numerous awards, including Chile’s National Literature Prize in 2010 and the U.S. Medal of Freedom in 2014. This marks her first major Spanish literary award. The winner of this year’s Premio Planeta is the first time Allende has been associated with the Grupo Planeta publishing house, having previously worked with Plaza & Janés, which is part of Penguin Random House. The prize comes with a €1 million reward, and Allende will publish La hora antes del alba through Grupo Planeta. The runner-up in this edition of the Premio Planeta is Sergio Hernández Carrasco for his novel La añoranza, presented under the pseudonym Martín Herrero. His book is set in 1950s Barcelona and involves a young woman discovering her lover’s connection to a plot to assassinate poet Antonio Machado. The novel is a tribute to the Generation of 1927, a group of influential Spanish writers. Allende’s win highlights her enduring influence in literature and her ability to connect deeply with readers through her exploration of personal and historical narratives. Her new novel continues the legacy of La casa de los espíritus, expanding its universe and addressing contemporary issues through the lens of past struggles and triumphs. Born to diplomats, Allende moved frequently during her childhood, which shaped her early life and influenced her later works. Her father, Tomás Allende, was a diplomat and cousin to former Chilean President Salvador Allende, whose overthrow in 1973 led to the family’s exile in Venezuela. This period of displacement and political upheaval became a significant theme in her writing. In her acceptance speech, Allende expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing that winning the Premio Planeta felt akin to receiving the Nobel Prize. She acknowledged the emotional weight of her journey, both personally and professionally, and highlighted the importance of storytelling in navigating complex social and political landscapes. Her latest work, La hora antes del alba, continues to explore the intersection of personal narrative and historical context, reinforcing Allende’s reputation as a writer who transforms individual experiences into universal themes. The novel’s focus on Alba’s return to her homeland after suffering under a regime reflects broader concerns about human resilience and the power of memory in shaping identity. Allende’s decision to enter the Premio Planeta competition came after years of avoiding such contests, driven by a desire to embrace challenges and continue evolving as a writer. At 84, she remains active in her craft, demonstrating a commitment to literature that resonates across generations and borders. Her continued presence in the literary world underscores her significance as a voice that bridges personal history with collective memory.