The Spanish Translation of "Manhattan Transfer" and Censorship

Abstract

Censorship during Franco’s regime was an obstacle to the publication and circulation of books in Spain, particularly until the late 1950’s, when certain signs of a change in attitude were visible, and censors started to authorize previously censored or banned books. Such censorship also had an impact on the publication of translated works by the direct intervention of censors when pronouncing their opinions upon application for permission by publishers. This article deals with the results of our research into the censorship files at the Archivo General de la Administración in Alcalá de Henares regarding the publication in Spain of the translation of John Dos Passos’s Manhattan Transfer.