Sanatoriums in contemporary narratives 'El Mar', by Blai Bonet

Abstract

Literature and medicine are closely connected. Many works that portray experiences of disease have been set in health care facilities, including sanatoriums. Anti-tuberculosis sanatoriums, seen as spaces of isolation and as «death row» have inspired many authors. Twentieth-century novels devoted significant attention to these institutions which, kept far from the rest of society, conditioned both the life and the identity of the sick. The magic mountain by Thomas Mann and Rest home by Camilo José Cela are two outstanding references among these productions. In Catalan literature, El mar (The sea in its English language translation) by Majorcan author Blai Bonet must also be highlighted.