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Harsh World and Other Poems
Although seven volumes of his poetry are available in Spanish, the work of Ángel González has not been widely translated into English. This bilingual edition, introduced by the poet, presents selections from Palabra sobre palabra (Word upon Word) , his definitive collection. Included are poems from Grado elemental (Elementary Grade) , which won the Antonio Machado Prize for Poetry.
Born in Oviedo, Spain in 1925, Ángel González published his first book in 1956 to immediate acclaim. His poetry is characterized by striking imagery and deeply personal statement that is often sad and sardonic.
Of his work González writes, "'Experience,' 'reality', and 'preciseness of expression' are probably...the boundaries that limit the space, on a horizontal plane, in which my poetic intentions move. Upon this plane, trying to add another dimension, I attempt to erect my creative and imaginative possibilities....In some of these poems, written and published in Spain, the result of a determined desire to bear witness will have to be sought not in what the words say but in what they imply, in the spaces of shadow, of silence of anger, or of helplessness that they discover or uncover."
Originally published in 1977.
The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.
Born in Oviedo, Spain in 1925, Ángel González published his first book in 1956 to immediate acclaim. His poetry is characterized by striking imagery and deeply personal statement that is often sad and sardonic.
Of his work González writes, "'Experience,' 'reality', and 'preciseness of expression' are probably...the boundaries that limit the space, on a horizontal plane, in which my poetic intentions move. Upon this plane, trying to add another dimension, I attempt to erect my creative and imaginative possibilities....In some of these poems, written and published in Spain, the result of a determined desire to bear witness will have to be sought not in what the words say but in what they imply, in the spaces of shadow, of silence of anger, or of helplessness that they discover or uncover."
Originally published in 1977.
The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.
- GenresPoetry
184 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1977
11 people want to read
About the author
Ángel González
127 books61 followersNació en Oviedo el 6 de septiembre de 1925. Su infancia se vio fuertemente marcada por la muerte de su padre, fallecido cuando apenas tenía dieciocho meses de edad. La descomposición del seno familiar continuó durante la Guerra Civil Española, cuando su hermano Manolo fue asesinado por el bando franquista en 1936. Posteriormente su hermano Pedro se exilió por sus actividades republicanas y su hermana Maruja no pudo ejercer como maestra por el mismo motivo. En 1943 enferma de tuberculosis, por lo que inicia un lento proceso de recuperación en Páramo del Sil, donde se aficiona a leer poesía y empieza a escribirla él mismo. Tres años más tarde se halla ya por fin recuperado, aunque siempre arrastrará una insuficiencia respiratoria que al cabo le produciría la muerte, y decide estudiar derecho en la Universidad de Oviedo; en 1950 se traslada a Madrid para estudiar en la Escuela Oficial de Periodismo. El poeta Luis García Montero ha publicado en 2009 Mañana no será lo que Dios Quiera, donde con un lenguaje poético y emocionado cuenta estos primeros años de la vida de Ángel González. Cuatro años después, en 1954, oposita para Técnico de Administración Civil del Ministerio de Obras Públicas e ingresa en el Cuerpo Técnico; le destinan a Sevilla, pero en 1955 pide una excedencia y marcha a Barcelona durante un periodo en el que ejerce como corrector de estilo de algunas editoriales, entablando amistad con el círculo de poetas de Barcelona, formado por Carlos Barral, Jaime Gil de Biedma y José Agustín Goytisolo; en 1956 publicó su primer libro, Áspero mundo, fruto de su experiencia como hijo de la guerra; con él obtuvo un accésit del Premio Adonais. Vuelve a Madrid para trabajar de nuevo en la Administración Pública y conoce al grupo madrileño de escritores de su generación, Juan García Hortelano, Gabriel Celaya, Caballero Bonald y algunos poetas más.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
February 8, 2020
"Miracle of light: the shadow is born...
comes forward
to announce the ultimate, the purest
miracle of light: you profiled by the dawn."
From "Miracle of Light" by Ángel González, translated from the Spanish (Spain) by Donald D. Walsh, 1977, Princeton University Press.
Had some good momentum in the beginning with a lineup of great pieces. Not quite as strong for me in the end, but still a solid work by a new-to-me poet.
comes forward
to announce the ultimate, the purest
miracle of light: you profiled by the dawn."
From "Miracle of Light" by Ángel González, translated from the Spanish (Spain) by Donald D. Walsh, 1977, Princeton University Press.
Had some good momentum in the beginning with a lineup of great pieces. Not quite as strong for me in the end, but still a solid work by a new-to-me poet.
Displaying 1 of 1 review