Juan del Val, the winner of the 2025 Planeta Prize, has responded to the wave of criticism surrounding his recent literary award. The novelist and television collaborator secured Spain's most prestigious literary honor for his upcoming novel 'Vera, una historia de amor,' which comes with a €1 million prize. However, the announcement has sparked controversy among segments of the public who question whether the award reflects literary merit or media connections.
The criticism centers on del Val's relationship with Atresmedia, where he works as a collaborator on programs including 'El Hormiguero' and co-hosts 'La Roca' with his wife, Nuria Roca. Many critics have drawn parallels to Sonsoles Ónega's Planeta Prize win two years earlier, shortly after she joined Atresmedia. Detractors have suggested the prestigious award has lost some of its value when given to television personalities, though del Val's novel has not yet been published and remains unavailable to readers.
During an appearance on 'La Roca' on October 19, del Val addressed his critics directly, drawing a distinction between constructive criticism and what he termed 'haters.' He stated, 'Los haters me dan igual, me reconfortan' (The haters don't bother me, they comfort me), while acknowledging he welcomes thoughtful literary criticism. The author expressed surprise at what he characterized as public ignorance about the Planeta Prize's significance and noted the irony of judging a novel that won't be available in bookstores until November 5.
Del Val defended his literary credentials, pointing to his seven previously published novels and established readership. He encouraged critics to read 'Vera, una historia de amor' before passing judgment on whether it deserved the award. The 74th Planeta Prize received 1,320 submissions, with del Val's work selected over finalist Ángela Banzas' 'Cuando el viento hable.' Previous winners include Paloma Sánchez-Garnica in 2024 and Sonsoles Ónega in 2023, both of whom faced similar scrutiny about the relationship between media prominence and literary recognition.
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