December is the time of year when numerous lists of the best books published throughout the year are released. Many of these lists often feature the same titles repeatedly. In an attempt to break away from this trend, I aim to highlight a book or books that, despite their undeniable quality, have not received the attention they deserve.
I could have chosen to write about many books that I loved from this year, such as Chloe Garcia Roberts’s « Fire Eater, » Elisa Gabbert’s « Any Person Is the Only Self, » Insana’s « Slashing Sounds » translated by Catherine Theis, Sally Wen Mao’s « Ninetails: Nine Tales, » and Alison C. Rollins’s « Black Bell. » However, I am excited to bring attention to Rosa Alcalá’s poetry collection « YOU, » which was released earlier this year.
In « YOU, » Alcalá showcases the power of the second person narrative, drawing the reader into the text and its events instantly. The poems in the collection explore various themes related to mothers, daughters, girlhood, and womanhood, including longing, terror, wisdom, kinship, jealousy, and desire. Through a triptych featuring herself, her mother, and her daughter, Alcalá offers a nuanced portrayal of womanhood from different perspectives.
Alcalá’s poems delve into the complex realities faced by women, offering a poignant and thought-provoking examination of their experiences. The collection has been praised for its celebration of different versions of the self with honesty, humor, and openness.
In addition to « YOU, » I have been engrossed in Myriam Moscona’s « Tela de sevoya » and Dante Alighieri’s « The Divine Comedy. » Moscona’s book explores Ladino language through family stories and dreams, while Dante’s epic poem has inspired incredible art by William Blake. Despite financial struggles, Blake continued his work on Dante sketches, showcasing his dedication to his craft.
Overall, these books offer unique perspectives and powerful storytelling that deserve wider recognition. In a recent interview, approximately one hundred pages of unpublished work by Julie Ezelle Patton were discussed, including critical essays, responses, and interviews. These works are interspersed with color photographs documenting « The Building, » a book-building or building-book that showcases acts of maintenance, curation, and landscaping. Patton, who sometimes resides in a six-flat in the Glenville neighborhood of Cleveland, has turned the space into a total work of art that serves as both a home and a creative haven. The feature also includes new works by writers Will Alexander, Carla Harryman, M. Nourbese Philip, Ed Roberson, Giovanni Singleton, and Cecilia Vicuña that celebrate and respond to Patton’s unique style.
In another publication, « The Serpent and the Fire: Poetries of the Americas from Origins to Present, » edited by Jerome Rothenberg and Javier Taboada, challenges the notion of « American » poetry by including works from the entire Americas, from ancient pre-Columbian cultures to the present. This anthology features thematic « galleries » and « maps » that guide readers through a diverse range of poetic traditions and innovations, highlighting the rich dialogue between Indigenous oral traditions and European colonizers’ written records.
« Tilsa Otta’s poetry collection, ‘The Hormone of Darkness,’ translated by Farid Matuk, has been praised for its musicality and boundary-blurring syntax. Otta’s work invites readers to explore the possibilities of language and meaning, prompting them to reach across lines and time to engage with her verse on a deeper level.
Pedro Espinosa’s seventeenth-century Spanish text, « The Dog and the Fever, » translated by William Carlos Williams and Raquel Hélène Williams, offers a glimpse into the Baroque Golden-Age Spanish poetry scene. Espinosa, a contemporary of Francisco de Quevedo, created a collection of poems that became a cherished anthology of Golden Age Spain, despite initial challenges with typography. He later became a hermit and focused on religious poetry.
Chus Pato’s « Secession/Insecession, » translated by Erín Moure, explores the intersection of poetry and translation. In a conversation with Moure, Pato discusses the collaborative nature of translation and how it enriches both the translator-poet and the original writer, emphasizing the importance of poetry as a communal and interconnected art form.
Finally, Soledad Fariña, a contemporary Chilean poet, is known for her thoughtful approach to publishing and her avoidance of common pitfalls in early works. Her book « Siempre volvemos a Comala » showcases her unique voice and perspective on poetry, marking her as a significant voice in the literary world.
Exploration de mondes mystérieux
Plongez dans l’univers fascinant de Siempre volvemos a Comala, paru l’année dernière, où se mêlent des spectres évoluant dans un pays en proie aux tourments de l’Histoire. Les dialogues et les images captivantes de ce roman nous confrontent à des questions complexes et nous plongent dans un monde à la fois habité et abandonné. Que pouvons-nous comprendre lorsque l’expérience devient sombre et troublante?
Comala, le territoire de l’inachevé
L’auteur nous invite à explorer Comala, un territoire mystérieux figé hors du temps, où résonnent les voix multiples des personnages en quête de réponses. Ces récits tronqués, empreints de rêves et de luttes, marquent une époque charnière pour le Chili et l’Amérique latine, sous la plume d’un des plus grands poètes contemporains.
La poésie en mouvement
Plongez dans l’univers poétique de Cecilia Vicuña à travers Libro Venado/Deer Book, une œuvre fascinante qui mêle poésie, art et traduction. Vicuña nous entraîne dans un voyage intemporel à travers la danse rituelle du cerf, explorant la relation entre l’homme, la nature et le langage dans des compositions minimalistes et envoûtantes.
Corps en révolte
Découvrez l’exposition Carolee Schneemann: Body Politics, qui rend hommage à l’œuvre engagée de l’artiste féministe Carolee Schneemann. À travers ses performances et ses peintures, Schneemann défie les normes établies, explorant la relation entre le corps, la société et le pouvoir. Un témoignage poignant sur le combat pour la liberté et l’égalité, à travers le prisme de l’art et de la créativité.
Le contenu de l’article est le suivant: « Le gouvernement a annoncé de nouvelles mesures pour lutter contre la pollution de l’air. Ces mesures incluent la mise en place de zones à faibles émissions dans les grandes villes, l’interdiction des véhicules les plus polluants et le développement des transports en commun. Ces actions visent à améliorer la qualité de l’air et à protéger la santé des citoyens. »
Voici le contenu réécrit: « Des actions gouvernementales ont été annoncées pour combattre la pollution atmosphérique. Parmi ces mesures, on retrouve la création de zones à circulation restreinte dans les métropoles, l’interdiction des automobiles les plus polluantes et le renforcement des transports en commun. Ces initiatives sont mises en place pour améliorer la qualité de l’air et préserver la santé des habitants. »
