The highly anticipated announcement of the winner of the prestigious Planeta Literary Prize for 2025 took place on October 15, 2025. The grand ceremony was hosted in Barcelona, within the magnificent setting of the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC). This year’s competition set a new benchmark for participation, attracting an unprecedented 1,320 manuscript submissions, a figure that powerfully underscores the growing public appetite and enthusiasm for serious literary fiction. The coveted top honor was ultimately secured by the well-known essayist and author, Juan del Val, for his compelling novel titled, "Faith, A Love Story."
Del Val strategically submitted his manuscript under the pseudonym Elvira Torres. The core narrative of the winning novel delves into profound human experiences, meticulously examining universal themes such as genuine affection, the pursuit of personal autonomy, and the corrosive nature of self-interest, all set against the backdrop of high society. Del Val elaborated that the story centers on a woman belonging to the Sevillian aristocracy. Despite being bound by marriage to a Marquis, she makes the audacious and life-altering decision to redefine her path by initiating a relationship with a man from a significantly more modest social standing.
This monumental victory adds another significant accolade to Del Val’s already impressive portfolio, following his earlier success in 2019 when he received the Primavera Prize for his work "Candela." Beyond the critical acclaim, the Planeta Prize is renowned for its financial magnitude, awarding the winner a substantial monetary prize of one million euros (€1,000,000). This figure is particularly noteworthy as it significantly surpasses the financial value traditionally associated with the Nobel Prize in Literature. Del Val’s achievement further solidifies the connection between popular media personalities and high-level literary recognition, underscoring the idea that personal courage and unconventional choices can become the driving force for creating compelling new realities both on and off the page.
While Juan del Val claimed the top spot and the seven-figure prize, the runner-up position was deservedly awarded to Ángela Bansal. Her novel, "When the Wind Speaks," secured her a generous secondary prize of 200,000 euros (€200,000). Bansal’s meticulously crafted work transports the reader to the evocative atmosphere of post-war Galicia, where it explores intricate themes of inherited secrets, generational trauma, and the enduring power of family memory that shape the region. The public will not have long to wait to delve into the winning narrative; readers eager to purchase "Faith, A Love Story" will be able to find it available for general sale starting November 5, 2025.
The leadership team at the Planeta publishing house offered glowing commentary on the overall quality improvement observed in the submitted works this year, noting an encouraging rise in the participation of younger authors, signaling a vital and necessary rejuvenation of the creative literary landscape. The formal ceremony, which was specifically hosted in the majestic Oval Hall of the MNAC, reaffirmed the prize's established standing as a crucial barometer of current publishing trends and societal interests. Furthermore, the remarkable 39% surge in applications since the initial onset of the COVID-19 pandemic clearly demonstrates society's increasing demand for meaningful storytelling, deep reflection, and profound narratives that offer insight into life's complexities.