Tierra de Infancia

by Claudia Lars

Tierra de infancia es un lugar estetico donde el pasado de a realidad, recuperado a traves del recuerdo, alcanza actualidad por la prosa poetica concreta en diversas formas estilisticas.
No es, por tanto, un lbro de cuentos; mucho menos una novela.Es,sencillamente, relidad del mundo y del hombre actualizada poeticamente en la dimension de los hechos y en la dimension de sus significados.Quizas por eso converga mejor ir pensadndo en Tierra de infancia como un libro de "memorias poeticas"

Genres: Poetry

212 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lo leí en el clásico español salvadoreño, claro. Claudia Lars es, sin duda, arte salvadoreño en páginas sinceras.

[Shannon Fallon]

Land of Childhood is the memoir of a poet from El Salvador who grew up at the turn of the 20th century. Specifically covering her childhood, it also includes the history of her family, some history of the area, and stories of friends and other inhabitants of the village. Each chapter acts as a mostly self-contained story, often depending on the previous chapters only in that it doesn't reintroduce people already mentioned or restate facts already explained. Its page count is short, but it covers a lot of ground and seems to encourage reading slowly, particularly during beautifully descriptive passages.

One of the first things I noticed was how skillfully the author evokes the setting, painting a full picture that's easily accessible even to those who have little knowledge of El Salvador. This English translation contains what I consider an appropriate scattering of Spanish words and phrases, bringing authenticity and conveying concepts that may not have come across as clearly otherwise. For me, a few years of high school Spanish were more than enough to understand, but for those without that background, this edition also includes a glossary that can be referenced as needed.

The second thing that shines through is the author's happiness and positivity. From the very beginning, she presents a beautiful land, a peaceful life, and a loving family, and her love for these is reflected on every page. Although she covers topics such as the deaths of family members, the overall tone is light. The family mourns, but life goes on, and every person seems to live a happy one.

The aspects that may disturb some readers include the physical disciplining of children and a chapter about cock fighting, but these can easily be skipped without a significant impact to the reader's experience. If you are such a reader and would like to take this approach, I recommend skipping "Magical Moments in Time" and "Chabela Tacuátzin" for the disciplining and "The Altar Cloth" for the cock fighting. Other parts of the book have only brief mentions rather than depictions.

I should also address the fact that the book uses some outdated racial terminology and includes a few instances of people making racist statements. I want to note, however, that I was impressed by the author herself, who consistently came across as socially conscious and more progressively minded than those around her. There are instances of her acknowledging her privilege, reflecting on certain issues even as a child, and summarizing historical conquest and colonialism with thoughtfulness towards the victims. People of many different races have their stories told in this book, all respectfully, and I never got the sense that the author was excluding anyone or portraying them in a distorted way. In fact, I got the sense that her own mixed heritage had given her what was perhaps for that time an unusual degree of insight and acceptance.

Overall, I'm of the opinion that everything this book includes is important as a realistic portrayal of its setting and the people who inhabited it. I appreciate that the author didn't try to cover certain things up or brush over them. I found her personally to be likeable, and I very much enjoyed her narrative style. This book may not be right for those seeking drama and excitement, but if you want to step into the quiet beauty of another time and hear stories of the people who lived there joyfully, this memoir is the one for you.

[José Zuleta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un pintoresco retrato de la simplicidad de la vida infantil en contraposición con la agitada vida adulta llena de pecaminosa reflexividad y asfixiante mesura. Ambos elementos de esta antítesis dotan al libro de humor, de risas de complicidad del lector con la Carmen (Claudia) traviesa, curiosa y dispuesta a no dejarse dominar por nada y por nadie. Desde las primeras páginas del libro se entiende que cada relato simboliza una etapa de la metamorfosis que los seres humanos atravesamos en el ciclo natural de la vida y vislumbramos que su trágico desenlace define el paso definitivo de la inocencia estática (y casi indiferente a todo) hacia la conciencia optimista del adolescente.

El libro nos ayuda a entender a la infancia como fuente y origen de la belleza y la justicia que el hombre siempre ha intentado encontrar en este mundo; asimismo vemos que esa fuente inmaculada corre peligro de ser trastornada con las visiones materialistas y discriminatorias de este mundo como, por ejemplo, en el episodio de la muñeca de Porcelana donde una de las tías de Carmen describe con desprecio a las esclavas indigenas tachandolas falsamente de "haraganas" o cuando el padre manifiesta preocupación porque sus hijas han aprendido actitudes "campesinas" inadecuadas para la clase social de las niñas.

Múltiples interpretaciones pueden girar en torno a la intención de la autora al reflejarnos sin tapujos todos los claroscuros de su amada Armenia; no obstante, es prudente que cada lector se encamine por la posición hermenéutica que más le interese.

[Beqii Orantes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me gusto mucho, me recordó a muchas cosas que viví y quizás mi mente de cierta forma había olvidado; incluso menciona una frase que mi papa me hacia decir : "Ratón, ratón, toma mi diente viejo y dame uno nuevo" , o cuando el volcán erupciona me rocordo a el terremoto de 2001.
Es un libro que no lo leí en mi infancia y creo que no lo hubiera disfrutado tanto como ahora.

[Rhoda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my read the world selection for El Salvador.

This book is a memoir set at the beginning of the 1900’s reflecting on the people, town, stories, customs and traditions that contributed to the author’s carefree and happy childhood in rural El Salvador.

The author was more well known as a poet, which is evident in her writing, with her real name being Margarita del Carmen Brannon Vega - the daughter of an Irish-American father (who interestingly only ever spoke Spanish with his family and never English) and a Salvadoran mother. The writing, although translated in this book, is lyrical and and vibrant, so I can only imagine how beautiful it must be in the language of the author.

The book gave a rich picture of the author’s childhood and Salvadoran traditions and folklore and despite some parts written very much viewed through rose coloured glasses, this was a very pleasant and nostalgic book to read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

[Mónica Recinos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este libro es una carta de amor a la tierra que vio nacer a Claudia Lars. La sensibilidad y belleza con la que relata cada una de sus memorias deja sin lugar a dudas porque Claudia es una de las escritoras más importantes de El Salvador. Personalmente tierra de infancia es un libro que he leído en distintas ocasiones a lo largo de los años y siempre descubro algo nuevo, el encanto y ternura que transmite es simplemente impecable.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un libro que leí en mi infancia.. Y hoy que volví a leerlo recordó esa simplicidad de los tiempos en donde en lo más simple se encuentra la verdadera felicidad. Definitivamente como salvadoreña es lectura obliga pero que da gusto releer.

[Ari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este libro tiene mucho valor sentimental para mí. Fue un regalo de mis abuelos ante la obsesión por leer todo lo que me encontraba de pequeña. Me gustaría volverlo a leer ahora de adulta y recordar la casa en la que crecí, mi tierra de infancia...

[Aby Reyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

La nostalgia que me da este libro, el primero que leí. Es un libro que me atrapó por completo. Un viaje poético, en el que la autora nos lleva a revivir esos momentos de la niñez que, aunque parecen simples, se quedan grabados en el alma. ❤️

[Ricardo Moran · Rating 5 out of 5]

My inner child gets very happy every time I read this book. Full with traditions and images so familiar to me and everyone who grew on this little, but so loved, country named El Salvador.

[Carmen B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!!! One of my favorites ever!

[Paul Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claudia Lars, author of Land of Childhood (iUniverse, 2003), has constructed a memoir that evokes all the nostalgia, poignancy, and sheer joy of being a child in her native El Salvador. It is a warm and beautiful place, a sensual feast for the reader. Lars is one of the greatest writers to come out of Central America, and this book, along with her fourteen books of poetry, has been enjoyed by generations. For English language readers, this book, translated by her granddaughter, conveys all the richness and beauty of the land along with a plethora of memorable characters who enrich the story with their presence. Each one teaches the young Lars (real name, Margarita del Carmen Brannon Vega) about life and its truths. This edition also includes a helpful glossary.

The book is constructed in vignettes, scenes of daily life in the small villages in the Salvadoran countryside. Lars is a child of an Irish father and a Salvadoran mother, and her history is steeped in story. Each vignette expands the narrative until the cataclysmic finale and the end of her childhood.

She opens the book with a meditation on the old family house, the strength of its foundations, its “comfortable simplicity.” Guests come and go in addition to family members who have various roles to play in governing the land. Her first character is her grandfather, a “primitive being” in his simple life. His Indian blood makes him sensitive to those who have less, and he often opens his doors to wandering tribes looking for shelter. From these guests, Lars learns a lot about life. It is a peaceful, bucolic existence, with time for beauty and observation.

In juxtaposition to the slower-paced life of the old house is the smoking volcano, the rumblings, the lava-spewing in the distance. It is a reminder that at the horizon, something is always bubbling and oozing and threatening. The world is always changing. For children, though, this is the land of adventures, where every day is summer, and fruits and traditional dishes are plentiful. Lars learns the medicinal properties of plants and herbs. She watches her aunts cook and clean and keep the old house going. She studies her grandparents, the Indian grandfather with the more refined Spanish grandmother, a sort of yin and yang.

Her father is Patrick, an Irishman born in America. He is restless and was a rebellious child, growing into adulthood sailing around the world on cargo ships. He fell in love with tropical America, first in Panama, where he was given the title of “bachelor of the street,” and then in El Salvador.

This is a book about how children used to occupy themselves without screens and devices. Lars has ample time in her young life for wonder and investigation. She and her playmates find ways to entertain themselves. She loves books but she also loves nature and beauty. There are mysteries in her life, questions that will not result in clear answers, but the magic of the moment is appreciated for its own value. She recounts dozens of stories, like the one where her sister gets her head stuck in a metal, helmet-like soup tureen while they are playing soldiers. It is a moment of panic, but the episode offers its own logic and lesson. Since Lars had a hand in the mischief, she sustains a spanking by her grandfather (how would that go over today?), but her sister comes into her room late that night to offer a bouquet of flowers. “I didn’t want Grandfather to punish you,” she says. Lars struggles with her pride. She puts on a brave front and says the punishment did not hurt her. “Maruca placed her cheek against my lips, silencing my words and, after gently stroking my hair, quietly said good-night.” No one spoke about the incident in the morning.

Lars does not spare the darker nature of childhood, the bullying, the unfairness of things. But these are the stumbling blocks on the path to wisdom. Children must experience the dangers, the near-misses of childhood. That is the only way to grow up and become an adult. But this is an idyllic childhood, and the events as described lead to a resounding and frightening conclusion that takes her into adulthood.

Her final vignette is for her mother, a discussion with the dead. “I want to tell you—my beloved dead mother—words I dared not speak before, but that vibrated in the depths of my secrets like little bubbles of love. I regret not saying them sooner…Nonetheless, I know that silence, that guardian of dreams and songs, was never a cause for misunderstandings between us.” Her mother was the tranquil, flexible sounding board for Lars’ more stormy, childish explosions. She lauds her mother’s patience, and has come to believe that her mother embodied the “land of my first joys.” Those joys are evident on every page of this memoir. It is a gorgeous, heartfelt book by a great, underappreciated writer from a small country with big dreams. It is time to share this book with the world and make it required reading everywhere.

[Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Land of Childhood is a rare book in that it tells the story of an eventless, happy childhood. It is a celebratory book of memory, an attempt to capture the magic of her youth and the emotions attached to it. Claudia Lars is a poetic autobiographer, her style tinged with the magic realism that so suits Latin American stories. Yet her stories are grounded in the reality of her memories; the magic comes from her childhood awe and fascination with the people and the landscapes that surround and influence her. Land of Childhood feels very patriotic and, for the most part, uncritical. Despite the lyricism of the stories she tells, Lars is very matter of fact. Her family celebrates a mixture of European (Spanish and Irish) and Indian heritage, as well as economic and historical connections to the United States. The friends and relatives that populate her childhood stories are an international crowd, bringing tales from Panama, Paris and North America. It is a childhood of happiness but also of privelege, set amidst the tamed tropical landscapes of El Salvador on an extensive family estate.

That the book remains critical should not be, in itself, a critique. It is a relief to read something that steers away from politics and race, from the question of colonialism, and instead tries to offer a realistic portrait of what it was like for her growing up in that environment. Lars reveals herself as a poet and recalls the events and the people who brought out the poet in her. She is constantly drawn to the worldly, adventurous stories she hears, and fascinated by the women who tell stories of successes not typical for women. She is true to all her influences; the flora and fauna of her home, her Spanish and Irish heritage, Indian culture, language and ceremony, the books she reads. El Salvador as a nation remains on the outskirts of the story, idealised in the people and the landscapes. Lars (as a protagonist) really comes alive when she is striking up relationships. The friendships she makes and the people she loves makes this book come alive. She is a loving and colourful conjurer of character; most of the chapters are only a few pages long but she manages to get stories that grow in the telling in a short space of time.

The only down side is that it's all over very quickly and doesn't delve beyond Lars' own childhood. It's missing the emotional edge of autobiographers like Laurie Lee. That's harsh; Land of Childhood is a thoroughly enjoyable and often beautiful book, one that transports you effortlessly to another time and place, one that is written with heartfelt pride and a touch of magic. 6

[Eva Etayo Ros · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me ha encantado, es un libro que en sus historias, sus descripciones y su escritura te envuelve en una especia de ternura que no quieres que termine.
Me ha llegado la forma en la que recuerda, la nostalgia llena de alegría, parece que lo vive en ese momento, transmite que esas historias son importantes, que le han conformado como persona y, lo mejor para mi gusto, es que son historias del día a día, de la gente con la que convivía cuando era niña, pero no sólo su familia, sino quienes trabajaban en su casa, sus comadres, sus vecinas. Resalta esa genuinidad con la que vemos y recordamos las cosas de niña, y ese entorno (en este caso) familiar seguro, dónde siempre se quiere volver.
Describe de una forma muy bonita cada planta, cada situacion, cada patio, cada persona. Escrito desde el corazón, transmite un sentimiento real capaz de recogerlo el lector y hacerlo suyo.
En resumen, leer este libro me ha dado mucha paz, ha sido como un abrazo constante.

"La manera de amar lo sencillo y el habla pintoresca de mi gente perdurarían en mí a través de los años, como algo siempre vivo e inspirador. En paraíso de recuerdos podría encontrar siempre -sin que jamás perdiera su juventud ni su alegría pura- a la dichosa niña de ayer."

"Comprendiendo entonces -con mi corazón y no con mi intelecto- que la belleza era todo aquello... ¡aquello que acababa de mirar, de escuchar y de sentir!"

"Eramos demasiado inocentes para imaginar que nuestra felicidad de entonces se asentaba en el largo esfuerzo de toda una clase de gente explotada, y como nuestras familias nos parecían compasivas y generosas no es extraño que fueramos tan felices en nuestro estrecho mundo rural."

"¡No, no lo había perdido por completo! Lo que juntos vivimos en cordial compañerismo estaba dentro de mi pecho como riqueza de alma, y presentía que alguna vez -más tarde- yo iba a recoger esa riqueza oculta para entregarla a los demás en un regalo singular."

[Hoja de Musgo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Qué dicha es contar con la niña siempre viva, con aquella que ve en el mundo siempre belleza, esplendor y sorpresa, qué dicha. Claudia Lars, nos regala un libro precioso de inicio a fin, en el que recuerda episodios y personas de su infancia, no porque hayan sido interesantes y merecieran ser contados (aunque también) sino porque cada uno a través de su paso por la vida de la poeta, le aportaron algo más importante que va de la mano con la experiencia vital de una infancia feliz; le aportaron la belleza del mundo. Cada relato, cada experiencia, cada regalo, cada gesto de amabilidad, cada acto de cuidado, fueron dándole vuelo al alma de Carmen, para que ella luego se convirtiera en la poeta Claudia Lars.

Qué dicha es entonces, contar con la niña siempre viva, la que pudo ver la belleza del mundo con la inocencia de la infancia y que atesoró esas memorias para siempre, y que volvió a ellas como quién busca consuelo, inspiración y vida. Qué dicha contar con esa tierra de infancia, territorio de esperanza en el porvenir y de alumbramiento de sueños, donde nacen poetas, que, aunque se marchen a tierras lejanas, siempre llevan la dicha de sus primeros años en su corazón.

Siempre tendré este libro en mi memoria, como un recordatorio de que yo fui afortunada, y también tuve una infancia feliz como Carmen, y que gracias a eso tengo un piso existencial que puede irse por ratos, pero siempre vuelve, y es la posibilidad de ver la belleza con los ojos de la niña que fue feliz y que llevo en mi alma porque soy ella.

[Cami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nostálgico, simple y alegre como la infancia. Por momentos hay nociones de la sofisticación poética de Lars, pero su lenguaje refleja el punto de vista de la autora con todo su cariño e ingenuidad al momento de los hechos. Este libro captura, sin recaer en excesivas pretensiones, la belleza de una infancia sencilla pero plena en el campo de El Salvador, muchos aspectos reflejan las experiencias de mi persona y mi familia, y por ello esta obra resuena en mi corazón. Los capítulos individuales se sostienen por si mismos como relatos cortos, lo que brinda una experiencia de lectura única y descomplicada, a pesar de que la obra decae levemente en la segunda mitad, cuando el misticismo de la infancia de desvanece naturalmente. En general, una obra espectacular que merece ser releída una y otra vez para volver a experimentar esos momentos narrados magistralmente por la voz poética y hermosa de Claudia Lars.

[Mcowbookstoreguy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Consistently, I find the most captivating part of any memoir or biography to be the depiction of a person's formative years. And in this little book, Claudia Lars--pseudonym of poet Margarita del Carmen Brannon Vega--proves my rule as she presents us with the lush, vibrant, absorbing world of her childhood in rural El Salvador. Lars delivers lovingly-crafted, yet brief, chapters on parents, grandparents, playmates, family friends, local cultural moments, and personal milestones. The narrative is loving, wise, and truly moving. The author made me envious, made me want to be there--a sure sign of success for any book.

Hurrah to the adept translation by Lars' granddaughter. (But boo to the hideous, pixelated cover in this early, 2003, iUniverse.com self-publishing effort.)

[Solez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Describiría este libro como mi lugar seguro. En pocas palabras me hace sentir como en casa cuando estoy lejos.

La manera en la que utiliza la simpleza para demostrarte la belleza de la vida y lo hermoso de pertenecer a un país rico en cultura y tradiciones es preciosa 🤍

[Mariana H. Ampudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este es un libro hermoso. Cada línea es un verso que muestra que la autora es, ante todo, una poeta. Lo recomiendo para quien quiera una lectura suave, que te hace recordar tu propia infancia (sobre todo si naciste en Latam).

[Kevin Ordóñez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una oda a la idiosincrasia salvadoreña, de pueblo y sus ramificaciones. Sumamente disfrutable como hechos reales son narrados de forma tan sentimental y estética. Vivencial lectura.

[Mary Isaac · Rating 3 out of 5]

El Salvedor

[Sandra Barron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too bad they didn't list the Spanish version. It's a book for a small community, but a sweet representation of a time in El Salvador that is long gone. I'm glad they issued it as an ebook. Time to re-read it.

[Martha Pizarro-Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all-time favorite books. I wish they had the spanish version listed. I first read it when I was in 7th grade in El Salvador and have re-read it numerous times since.

[Mela · Rating 1 out of 5]

this is trash. someone point us to better salvi lit that doesn't exoticize and demean