Platero and I/Platero y yo: A Dual-Language Book (Dover Dual Language Spanish) [Paperback]

Juan Ramon Jimenez (Author), Stanley Appelbaum (Editor, Translator)

Book Description

Series: Dover Dual Language Spanish | Publication Date: June 4, 2004

The most popular work by the great Spanish writer Juan Ramón Jiménez (1881-1958), this is a series of autobiographical prose poems about the wanderings in Andalusia of a poet and his donkey. This new, accurate English translation is drawn from the 1917 edition. This is the only dual-language edition available. Introduction, Explanatory Notes.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications; Bilingual edition (June 4, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486435652
• ISBN-13: 978-0486435657
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #910,730 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Platero is a masterpiece that you cannot afford to miss in your lifetime, July 3, 2006

By 

Humberto Mejia "Still alive and kicking" (Perth, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Platero and I/Platero y yo: A Dual-Language Book (Dover Dual Language Spanish) (Paperback)

This refers to the spanish edition by Catedra-

The intention of this review is to invite the english speaking world not to miss this wonderful book, luring you into it by sharing my experiences.

Of course we read some chants in primary school since this is considered the jewel of prose literature in spanish literature. Vaguely afterwards I remembered the rhymes as a teeager and forgot them as an adult. Then my son was born and around his age of 8 I started reading him the book. For those of you who are parents, do not underestimate the power of poetry in little kids, he did not understand a word of it at first and was rather unimpressed, later on with a bit of involvement, he began to "get the hang of it" (I love this colorful american expression) to the extreme that we always read it (he is now 13).

As an adult now I understand the beauty and splendour of Platero, the silvery companion of the poet in his travels and daily experiences of Moguer. (Platero is a donkey silver colored). Just as the Quixote became universal being such a "local spaniard", Platero has the same universality. I must agree with the reviewer who expressed that the translation must have been difficult because of the provincial prose.

Platero will open you to new sensitivity horizons, it will make you laugh and cry alike, it will make you look at donkeys in a totally new light for everytime I see one, the fond memories of Platero springs from within.. each chant is a a page or two long, so you can skip some, ponder on others, I strongly recommend to have a donkey stuffed dolls to play with your kids a re-enactment of the chants just read and make your on additions, the laughter and joy of this moments will be undeletable memories.

I lost something inner and spiritual in some time in my life, I recovered it through Platero, Juan Ramón Jiménez is the only poet that I consider an obligation to visit his tomb in Spain and thanks him for the gift he has brought on all of us.

I have several editions of Platero (because I also love the commentaries), in one of them (and I cite from memory), the poet describes a time when after Platero was published, a cherrished elderly maestro revered by the circle of young poets, was on his death bed offering copies of Platero to his friends... on receiving the young JRJ he shook his hand with the stregth of those leaving and he said " its just perfect... but do not grow conceited now.."

Its just perfect, do yourself a favor and take a trip accompanied by Platero, it will last a lifetime.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nicely done, December 25, 2005

By 

Anthony Louis (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Platero and I/Platero y yo: A Dual-Language Book (Dover Dual Language Spanish) (Paperback)

This is a bilingual version of the classic Platero y Yo. It has Spanish on the left and a good English translation on the right. I would highly recommend this edition because Juan Ramon Jimenez can be difficult to read at times because of his use of regional vocabulary.