Capital of Pain, first published in 1926, has had a lasting impression on more readers than one might expect. Young Frenchmen between the wars carried it in their backpacks; other poets were dazzled, young and old, all discussed and often argued about this remarkable book. Indeed, it has never gone out of print in France. Today this collection is thought by many to be the key to grasping what Surrealist texts are like. It clearly shows the freshness of early Surrealism, as well as the despair of postwar trauma. Paul Eluard (1895-1952) was a founder, along with Andre Breton and Louis Aragon, of the Surrealist group and was, through the years, the most celebrated poet among that extraordinary grouping of poets. This volume, the first new translation of this work in over thirty years, presents the text of Capital of Pain in its entirety in a bilingual format. Translator Mary Ann Caws also provides an insightful and in depth survey of Eluard's poems and writings.
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Text: English, French (translation)
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Paul Eluard (1895-1952) is widely regarded as one of France's most important 20th century poets. Translator Mary Ann Caws is Distinguished Professor of English, French, and Comparative Literature at the Graduate School of the City University of New York. She is the author, translator, and editor of numerous books and publications on the major figures of both Dada and Surrealism. Recent publications include: "Poems of Andre Breton: A Bilingual Anthology" (with Jean-Pierre cauvin), and "Approximate Man & Other Writings of Tristan Tzara". Translator Patricia Terry was Professor of French literature at Barnard College and the University of California San Diego. Among her many verse translations/books are "Poems of Jules Laforgue," Poems of the Elder Edda," "Renard the Fox," and "Roof Slates and Other Poems of Pierre Reverdy"(with Mary Ann Caws). A poet as well as a translator, her book of poems, "Words of Silence" was recently published. A new edition of Laforgue's poems and an anthology of the poems of Guillevic are forthcoming. Translator Nancy Kline directs the writing Program at Barnard College and teaches in the English and the French Departments. She has published five books to date including: "Lightning: The Poetry of Rene Char," a translation of Hermann's "Les Voleuses de Langue," and a novel: "The Faithful." She is currently working on another novel and a collection of essays. Her numerous translations, essays, short stories, and reviews have appeared widely.
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20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
So you like poetry?,
By PulpFiction4life (Minneapolis, MN United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Capital of Pain (Paperback)
It is important that anyone do a little research or have an understanding of this kind of poetry before they do something like buy a book. That is because you may be wasting your money if you do not know what you are getting yourself into.
This book is a collection of fantastic poems from Paul Eluard. He was part of the Surrealist movement in France and his writings have changed many lives including mine. But if you do not like abstract thoughts, have difficulty reading complex literature, or just don't like "weird" stuff, I would suggest skipping this book. On the other hand if you revel in the abstract, enjoy thinking in terms you were not told to think in, by all means spend the $12 to get this book. I'll give you a sample since for some godforsaken reason nobody else has reviewed this book. The big uninhabitable house- In the middle of an astonishing island That her limbs travel She is nourished by a dazzled world. The flesh one shows off to the curious Waits there like harvests To fall on the riverbanks. Knowing she'll see further Her eyes wider in the wind of her hands She imagines the horizon has unbuckled its belt for her. **If you want to see a good surrealist film I would also suggest Alphaville, which is how I learned about this phenomenal book.
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