Memory of the Countryside and Climate Crisis in Jesús Carrasco’s Intemperie

Abstract

This study examines Jesús Carrasco's Intemperie (2013) within the context of the neorrural narrative trend that emerged in Spain during the early 2010s. The novel, which became a significant literary phenomenon, follows the story of a nameless boy fleeing through a barren landscape, aided by a goat shepherd who sacrifices himself for the child's survival. While the novel is celebrated for its lyrical revival of rural language, this paper argues that Intemperie transcends the dichotomy between national identity and global concerns that characterizes much of recent Spanish narrative production. The first section of the paper explores the novel’s connection to rural literary tradition through its language. The second part delves into its universal themes, linking it to dystopian eco-fiction. By recovering a nearly forgotten rural lexicon and addressing the looming environmental crises, Intemperie establishes a new relationship with nature that emphasizes the need for sustainable practices to ensure humanity's future.