Anonymous Constellation (Costellazione anonima) (Xenos Dual-Language Editions (Italian-English)) [Hardcover]

Sonia Raiziss (Author), Karl Kvitko (Author), Fulvio Testa (Author), Luca Carra (Author), Alfredo De Palchi (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Alfredo de Palchi's Anonymous Constellation is one long stream-of-consciousness presentation in the style of French symbolist poetry - a series of short poems that wash through the poet's mind with stark imagery and cynical emotion. "Pour ce qu'il est tout insense" is the opening epitaph from Francois Villon - showing that the poet means to incense us with his ironic message - to mock our pretense at civilization. Disgust and rage are expressed at corruption, greed, bigotry, hate, folly, vanity, and the loneliness which is the human condition as de Palchi takes us from the beginnings of our evolution through the vulturism of the animal kingdom to set us adrift in the far reaches of the stars. He longs for human perfectibility, aware of how power corrupts all in a self-aggrandizing existence based on expediencies of survival. There is a Dante-esque harshness and a Montalean sorrow, even as there are glimpses of redemption and self-insight that break through with sardonic tone. The poet's despair is full of heavenly aspiration, even in its existential nausea. Alfredo de Palchi suggests that each of us is his own "grand inquisitor" responsible for the love we can create within our own small society of friends and family where we may find love that transcends the bitter world. Responsibility for love and human suffering is what the poet calls us to as he reaches beyond himself for a greater understanding - feeling himself reeling in a vast universe, a mystery even to himself, an Anonymous Constellation. -- From Independent Publisher

From the Publisher

Alfredo de Palchi is a highly regarded poet living in New York. Writing in his native Italian, he has been translated into crisp and vibrant English by his longtime friend and fellow poet, the late Sonia Raiziss. The poet James Dickey said of De Palchi: "He is absolutely uncompromising, and his poems are painful and exalting to read. One does not come away from his stark and terrible and hilarious work untouched." --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 110 pages
• Publisher: Xenos Books (April 14, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1879378248
• ISBN-13: 978-1879378247
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,918,455 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

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4.0 out of 5 stars Easy Simple Reading with English translation, May 28, 2009

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Nan Vollbracht (FL USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Anonymous Constellation (Costellazione anonima) (Xenos dual-language editions (Italian-English)) (Paperback)

The reading is simple, the poems are very short, and they are easily understod. The poetry is unusual. It is not flowery and lovely. It is a nice change from the usual dual-languae poetry books, although I love them all. This book of poetry is good because I can read one short poem at night before bed within a few minutes and spend several minutes or longer pondering it. I like it and recommend it to all italian language students.