"Tonight I can write the saddest lines..." Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair
Written: Jun 19 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Wonderfully sensual and vivid poetry
Cons: only 20 + 1? Come on Pablo-- Give me more!
The Bottom Line: Looking for some intense love poetry? Ooh lala!
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| robinmichele's Full Review: Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair Books |
Now who doesn't enjoy a little bit of passion in their poetry? Give me some depth, some feeling, some soul... Pablo Neruda, one of Chile's premier poets, does just that.
I always feel a little conflicted when discussing work that has been translated from its original language, in this case, Spanish. I mean, what if the translator has totally changed the meaning? Or on the other hand, what if the translator's skill surpasses that of the original author? My edition has been translated by W.S. Merwin, and from what I gather, this is a pretty good translation. But, please keep in mind that this is a translated work, so if you ever learn Spanish you can go back and double check Merwin's work, to see if you agree with the nuances. Or you can make some astute references to the "original work" over dinner at a very swank party... Or you can whisper the words in native tongue as you and your lover romance. Whatever your intention, this book has possibilities.
This edition is brilliantly illustrated by Jan Thompson Dicks. The colors she uses are bold and fresh. Her work is vaguely reminiscent of the work of Marc Chagall, for those who care. There is a fine appreciation for the human form, and also for the embrace. Looking at the illustrations mirrors the passion and yearning of the poems. In my mind, this is a rather lovely coincidence. There is a lot of natural imagery in the illustrations as well as in the poetry.
And ahhh... The poems! These poems are juicy and delicious. If poetry was food, these poems would be fruit. And not just any fruit, they would be succulent, exotic spreads of passionfruit, watermelon, apples, peeled grapes (seedless), strawberries, and the sweetest pineapple you can find. Sound good? It is. And I'm really not that fond of fruit.
Neruda has a basic appreciation of the female form. In his poetry he alludes to natural elements quite frequently in relation to women and the art of love. His poetry has the unique characteristic that it is celebratory and melancholy at the same time. He captures the wistful longings of passion with a master's deft touch. No pun intended. I think.
You don't have to be a poetry afficionado to appreciate Neruda's work. While it is beautiful, it is still accessible to the average reader. His form isn't complicated. His metaphors aren't dense. It is beautiful language, used to express the beauty of human emotion.
Ahhh...
Oh, and if you are looking to knock the romantic socks off your partner, start your search here.
Recommended:
Yes
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robinmichele
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Location: Medina, OH
Reviews written: 116
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Beauty is as beauty does. Didn't you know?
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