Convergences: Essays on Art and Literature

by Octavio Paz

Engrossing essays that reflect the author’s vast and subtle knowledge of the world. Topics range from the religious rites of the Aztecs to modern american painting, from Eastern art and religion to love and eroticism. Translated by Helen Lane.

Genres: Essays, Poetry, Art, Nonfiction, Literature

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Octavio Paz Lozano was a Mexican writer, poet, and diplomat, and the winner of the 1982 Neustadt International Prize for Literature and the 1990 Nobel Prize for Literature ("for impassioned writing with wide horizons, characterized by sensuous intelligence and humanistic integrity.")

Reviews

[Eric Zadravec · Rating 4 out of 5]

Convergences: a series of essays by Mexican poet and intellectual Octavio Paz. Octavio Paz has been one of my favorite authors for awhile, with his brilliantly rich prose — always translated excellently from Spanish — pertinent observations on contemprary history, and a wide-ranging knowledge of the arts, literature, and politics. Although not strictly a historian, his writings have clear-sighted observations on the human condition, making him an excellent, albeit underappreciated, historiographer.

Convergences provides a broad sweep of Paz's writings, ranging from poetry, art, and literature, to politics and contemprary history. One review of Paz's most famous work, The Labyrinth of Solitude, stated that you would have to be 80 years old to fully appreciate Paz's writings, being so rich in detail and knowledge as they are. To Convergences this applies more so, as so many obscure poets and authors are referenced that one would only know with a deep grounding in a broad literary scene. Nevertheless, I still appreciated much of the essays in this collection; as always appreciating his historical writings, while enjoying other essays, such as on the poetry of Latin America or an analysis of the Japanese haiku.

As creative content shifts to short-form and online mediums, the intellectual milieu that Octavio Paz wrote in is likely dissapearing. While this might lessen the impact of his works, his writings are still excellent in prose and analysis, and can certainly be appreciated without a grounding this 20th intellectual milieu. I was happy to add Convergences then, to my collection of Paz's writings.

[Sylvester (Taking a break in 2023) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Between meaning and meaninglessness, between saying and silence, a spark is struck; a knowing without knowing, a comprehending without understanding, a speaking while remaining silent. We can still hear, in what we say, the meanings that we do not voice."

"The modern religion of art turns round and round in circles without finding the road to salvation; it goes from the negation of meaning through the object, to the negation of the object through meaning."

Paz is wonderful. Thought-provoking and intelligent without being elitist. I should read this book again. Anyone interested in poetics or language will find this man inspiring.

[Ramiro de la Garza · Rating 5 out of 5]

So well written and so accessible.

[Nico · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing!

[Manuel Correa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este fue uno de los primeros textos que leí del autor, cerca de los 17 años. Recuerdo que las ediciones de Seix Barral tenía portadas muy atractivas (con obras de arte) y esta me llamó definitivamente la atención. Estos libros los conseguía (por cuestiones geográficas y a falta de alguna que otra librería por acá en el norte del Edo. de México en ese entonces) en la librería de Liverpool, que se encontraba en el último piso. En fin, el libro me permitió incrementar mi vocuabulario en primer lugar (haciéndome de una libreta en la que anotaba las palabras desconcidas). Disfrutaba mucho leer a Paz; eso significara investigar y aprender; releer y pensar.

[Lucas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anecdótico. (Refiriéndome a la parte de Pessoa) Solamente interesante si se está abordando la cuestión de la heteronimia (como la mayor parte de las cosas escritas por Paz), pero no creo que aporte mucho más que un estudio comparado de la heteronomía que está atravesado por el abrupto nacimiento del siglo XX. Tantea entre lo singular y lo colectivo en cómo se ha concebido el yo y cómo se ha llegado a configurar toda esa red de heteronimia que responde bajo el nombre de Alberto Caeiro

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't possibly say anything as smart as, or more interesting than what Senor Paz lays down, so I won't even try. If the title grabs you, go for it, Octavio Paz is a giant.