The Collected Poetry
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Book Overview
This edition, containing an extensive introduction, notes, the French original, and a new translation of C saire's poetry--the complex and challenging later works as well as the famous Notebook--will remain the definitive C saire in English.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0520053206
ISBN13:9780520053205
Release Date:November 1984
Publisher:University of California Press
Length:432 Pages
Weight:1.70 lbs.
Dimensions:1.0" x 6.9" x 10.0"
Related Subjects
Criticism & Theory French History & Criticism Literature & Fiction Poetry World LiteratureCustomer Reviews
4 ratings
Viva Cesaire
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 16 years ago
Through Cesaire's poetry I can see where maybe some of the Beats and Jayne Cortez got some of their riffs. This poetry was some of the first with its themes of black empowerment against colonialism and racism but its language is still cutting edge. It's angry and surreal which reminds me of Rimbaud but it has a whole rhythmic chant-like vibe all its own. Then there's the amazing island and flora and fauna imagery to add to the exoticism and even a hint of voodoo, like the reproductions of Wilfredo Lam's paintings scattered through the book. It's definitely more high energy than most of the Surrealists I've read. If you like the Surrealists, the Beats and Jayne Cortez, you'll love this.
Aime Cesaire: The Collected Poetry
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 16 years ago
A superb bi-lingual presentation of this 20th-century literary titan, whose writings continue to resonate into the 21st century. Vive la difference!
not only that
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
this book, gifted to me by someone i admired, tossed without second thought into a box for the garage sale, changed my life. how many times, in the rageful sorrowful quiet times in my head have these passages sang themselves: vroom ru oh, that the promised times may return. etc. thankyou mr. cesaire, you have touched eternity in your creation.
Shining star of surrealism and negritude
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 21 years ago
First of all this book itself is beautifully designed and oversized, containing selections from five of Cesaire's published books of poety, separated by prints by Wilfredo Lam. This poetry of Cesaire requires an extensive introduction since it is filled with both politicsl and surrealistic elements. The editor provide a 30 page introduction which was very helpful. I found that I needed to read these poems outloud in order to fully understand them. I wish that I could also read the French originals that we provided. Of course every great poet writes many poems that do no quite reach his general level of excellence and Cesaire is no exception, but I found many poems to treasure which will remain with me a long while. They make heavy use of Martiniquan flora and fauna, but every poem is about meaninful ways of acheiving power for the Black diaspora which was the heart of Cesaire's negritude These poems belong in the collection of all who care about poetry. I
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