Risking a Somersault in the Air: Conversations with Nicaraguan Writers [Paperback]

Margaret Randall (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0915306921 | ISBN-13: 978-0915306923 | Publication Date: July 1, 1995

On July 19, 1979 the Nicaraguan people, under the banner of the Sandinista National Liberation Front, overthrew the 40-year-long Somoza family tyranny. Amongst those playing major roles in this popular revolution were many of the nation's leading poets and writers. Today, these men and women are focusing their creativity on the tasks of constructing a new nation and a new Nicaraguan culture. Through these interviews with 14 of Nicaragua's most important writers/revolutionaries we come to learn that Nicaragua's revolution, like its poetry, is an expression of great love, imagination and liberation.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a book that encourages and empowers those of us who are poets, those of us who writer-- and those of us who work to change society to fit the hopes and dreams of the common people." --Alice Walker

"This new collection of twelve interviews with Nicaraguan writers is a fascinating testament to basic human possibilities despite the harshly political determinations we have forced upon them. Once again it is Margaret Randall's unique power as a listener that can make a bridge to this complex place we must finally recognize as our common world." -- Robert Creeley

"The wonder of some of these interviews-- I'm thinking of Giocanda Belli and Vidaluz Meneses particularly-- the truthfulness as they tell their lives as women and literary workers in a revolutionary time... the happiness, the toll, the sacrifice that's part of the process. And most interesting to an American woman and writer-- the pride of being heard, your next poem waited for-- your trade "poet" respected and emulated by the young." --Grace Paley

Language Notes

Text: English, Spanish (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 215 pages
• Publisher: Curbstone Books (July 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0915306921
• ISBN-13: 978-0915306923
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,255,265 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I am a poet, essayist, photographer, feminist and social activist, born in New York City (1936), lived for many years in Mexico, Cuba, and Nicaragua, and returned to the U.S. in 1984. I now live in Albuquerque, New Mexico with my partner of many years, the painter Barbara Byers. I travel widely to read and lecture. Recent books include TO CHANGE THE WORLD: MY YEARS IN CUBA (memoir, with photos), and STONES WITNESS, THEIR BACKS TO THE SEA, and MY TOWN (poetry, with photographs). Soon to be released: AS IF THE EMPTY CHAIR / COMO SI LA SILLA VACIA (poems in tribute to the disappeared of Latin America, in bilingual edition, translations by Leandro Katz and Diego Guerra), FIRST LAUGH (essays), SOMETHING'S WRONG WITH THE CORNFIELDS, and RUINS (poems, with photos). The desert of the U.S. Southwest is my spiritual home, and ancient ruins--here and in other parts of the world--increasingly my greatest source of inspiration. Visit my web page at www.margaretrandall.org for a more detailed biography, curriculum vita, up-to-date information on my books and to view four ever-evolving portfolios of my photographic images, as well as current news about where and when I will be reading my work.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars REVIEW QUOTES, September 7, 2001

By 

Curbstone Press, Jantje Tielken, Editorial As... - See all my reviews

This review is from: Risking a Somersault in the Air: Conversations with Nicaraguan Writers (Paperback)

Margaret Randall presents a dynamic collection of 14 personal interviews with Nicaragua's most important writer-revolutionaries who played major roles in the 1979 revolution and the subsequent reconstruction. These artists speak of their writing and their pratical tasks in constructing a new society. Among the writers included are Gioconda Belli, Tomás Borge, Omar Cabezas, Ernesto Cardenal, Vidaluz Menéses, Julio Valle-Castillo, and Daisy Zamora.

"This is a book that encourages and empowers those of us who are poets, those of us who write and those of us who work to change society to fit the hopes and dreams of the common people." --Alice Walker

"..the truthfulness as they tell their lives...as literary workers in a revolutionary time...the happiness, the toll, the sacrifice that's part of the process. And...the pride of being heard, your next poem waited for-your trade 'poet' respected and emulated by the young." --Grace Paley

5.0 out of 5 stars REVIEW QUOTES, September 7, 2001

By 

Curbstone Press, Jantje Tielken, Editorial As... - See all my reviews

This review is from: Risking a Somersault in the Air: Conversations with Nicaraguan Writers (Paperback)

Margaret Randall presents a dynamic collection of 14 personal interviews with Nicaragua's most important writer-revolutionaries who played major roles in the 1979 revolution and the subsequent reconstruction. These artists speak of their writing and their pratical tasks in constructing a new society. Among the writers included are Gioconda Belli, Tomás Borge, Omar Cabezas, Ernesto Cardenal, Vidaluz Menéses, Julio Valle-Castillo, and Daisy Zamora.

"This is a book that encourages and empowers those of us who are poets, those of us who write and those of us who work to change society to fit the hopes and dreams of the common people." --Alice Walker

"..the truthfulness as they tell their lives...as literary workers in a revolutionary time...the happiness, the toll, the sacrifice that's part of the process. And...the pride of being heard, your next poem waited for-your trade 'poet' respected and emulated by the young." --Grace Paley