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An Absence of Shadows (Human Rights Series) (Spanish Edition)

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"An Absence of Shadows," by Marjorie Agosin, is a significant volume by this important Chilean author. "Absence" contains the texts of two previously published volumes (1988's "Zones of Pain" and 1992's "Circles of Madness"), together with new work. The poems have been translated into English by Celeste Kostopulos-Cooperman, Cola Franzen, and Mary G. Berg. The book is presented in bilingual format, with the Spanish originals and English versions on facing pages.

In her preface, Agosin explains that this book commemorates the 50th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. Agosin notes in the preface that poets "have become the voices that ask for compassion for the voiceless victims. They see beauty amidst the horror and find the courage to speak against injustice." The poems in this book exemplify this mission.

Some of the most striking selections in this book include "The Obedient Girl," about a girl who encounters the general who tortured her family; "The President," a bitter satire of military dictatorship; "El Salvador," the story of a Jewish woman from that troubled nation; and "Anne Frank and Us," in which the speaker notes that the iconic title figure "visits me often." I recommend this book to those interested in women's studies, Latin American literature, Spanish language poetry, or human rights issues.