First published 1939
César Vallejo stands among Latin America's most significant twentieth century poets. His verses challenge readers with their intensity and complexity. Political fervor for communism has sometimes eclipsed appreciation of his literary achievements. Scholar Ilan Stavans confronts this dynamic directly in his introduction, positioning Vallejo within his rightful literary tradition. Margaret Sayers Peden provides fresh translations that capture the poet's intricate style. The collection presents over eighty poems in both Spanish and English, covering Vallejo's complete artistic development. Stavans illuminates how Vallejo's political convictions shaped but did not diminish his poetic vision. Peden's translations reveal the linguistic innovations that made Vallejo's voice distinctive among his contemporaries. This bilingual approach allows readers to experience both the original Spanish rhythms and accessible English renderings.
Genres: 20th-century, poetry, latin-american-literature, academic
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: linguistic-innovations, political-convictions
Period: 20th Century
352 pages · Paperback · Penguin Publishing Group