Rubén Darío (1867–1916)

Darío is the founder of modernismo, and as such very much merits this anthology. The translator clearly states that he has done a literal translation, and has not attempted to capture rhyme or meter, which is both asset and weakness, depending on what is of value to the reader or student. In the short stories this is not an issue so much, but the poetry really suffers in translation. Darío's excellence in poetry is very much due to his welding of form, content, and image. He presents a show more very difficult task for the translator ( see Walter Benjamin's essay of that same title regarding said task). Applebaum thankfully realizes his limitations and explains his philosophy clearly, acknowledging the inherent difficulty.

The best way to read this dual language book is with a critical eye to the form in the original Spanish, and then seek the "meaning" of the poem in English. You cannot fully appreciate darío's work without at least recognizing the strict form that defines his work as a poet, and thereby understand his place in the pantheon of modernismo... Perhaps as the one exclusive deity therein.

That said, it is always a pleasure and a challenge to meet Darío again for the first time, every time. show less

Darío is the founder of modernismo, and as such very much merits this anthology. The translator clearly states that he has done a literal translation, and has not attempted to capture rhyme or meter, which is both asset and weakness, depending on what is of value to the reader or student. In the short stories this is not an issue so much, but the poetry really suffers in translation. Darío's excellence in poetry is very much due to his welding of form, content, and image. He presents a show more very difficult task for the translator ( see Walter Benjamin's essay of that same title regarding said task). Applebaum thankfully realizes his limitations and explains his philosophy clearly, acknowledging the inherent difficulty.

The best way to read this dual language book is with a critical eye to the form in the original Spanish, and then seek the "meaning" of the poem in English. You cannot fully appreciate darío's work without at least recognizing the strict form that defines his work as a poet, and thereby understand his place in the pantheon of modernismo... Perhaps as the one exclusive deity therein.

That said, it is always a pleasure and a challenge to meet Darío again for the first time, every time. show less

Objetivamente, "Cantos de vida y esperanza" es un prodigio de libro. Su perfección formal se nota a leguas. Lo disfruté mucho. Sin embargo, me parece que algunos poemas resultan demasiado preciosistas, es posible que perdieran un poco de penetración a cambio de su pulcritud. Aún así, muchos poemas sí logran acelerarle el corazón a uno, no son solamente alimento cerebral para el que le gusta estar contando sílabas.
"Ése fue mi mal. Soñar".

Una faceta poco conocida de Rubén Darío. Algunos de estos cuentos hoy serían predecibles o incluso amateurs, pero para la época estimo que serían muy originales.