Customer Reviews

Astonishing World: The Selected Poems of Angel Gonzalez, 1956-1986

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Now, I'm quite biassed here. Ángel González is one of my favourite poets, so how I should not give this antology 5 stars? So let me give a few reasons why this book is worth reading:
a) The poem "Before I could call myself Ángel González". Just for it, the book would be already worth buying. And if you are not convinced, read "Birthday", too.
b) Because Ángel González is such a different voice to everything else going on in Spanish poetry presently
c) González's detached lyricsm is neither sentimental nor cold, striking a middle chord hard to find.
Mr. González has quite an intimate voice, which comes across quite well in this antology's translation.

This is a great collection of Angel Gonzalez' work. He is truly one of the greatest Spanish poets of the 20th century. This bilingual edition has incredible translations that are very close to the original spirit of his poetry. Friends that were previously intimidated by poetry found his poetry and especially this collection very accessible.