An unfinished song: The life of Victor Jara

by Joan Jara

A lively and honest biography that graphically traces the emergence of Victor Jara's theatre, music and poems, and the crucial role they played in the Chilean workers' movement.

Genres: Biography, Music, History, Nonfiction, Memoir, Politics, Adult

278 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1976

Reviews

[Peggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The torture and murder of singer Victor Jara in the wake of the September 1973 military coup that overthrew the elected government of Salvador Allende encapsulates the brutal, fascistic, and murderous nature of that event in history. Joan Jara tells her husband's life story in An Unfinished Song: The Life of Victor Jara . Knowing the obscene way that he and hundreds of others perished, it is hard to read the last quarter of the book.

Victor Jara was no flash-in-the-pan celebrity. His songwriting and music came from the deepest part of himself and was an expression of his Mapuche and Chilean heritage. He was inspired by the physical geography of Chile and by the stories of its poorest citizens. He sang about a homeless youth ("Luchin"), a massacre of landless peasants ("Questions about Puerto Montt"), and wrote a gorgeous song about his mother ("I remember you, Amanda"). A song that he wrote about Che Guevara in Bolivia ("The Apparition") vividly evokes a man fleeing from those hunting him and finding no place to hide. His songs live on today, not only in the repertoire of others from the New Chile Song Movement such as Quilapayun and Inti-Illimani, but also to later generations. A search of YouTube shows that his songs are still being covered.

Joan Jara's story is probably the most complete biography of Victor Jara in English. The book was published in 1984 and her narrative voice is somewhat dated, though very representative of the time. For example, it's hard not to regret the naivety of those who disdained the Frei government for its incremental approach to land reform. Didn't they understand the immense power of the oligarchy to mobilize international opposition in the form of the United States? However, I remember the sense of urgency of that time and an international sense of optimism among youth that centuries of oppression could be overturned in a few years.

Anyone interested in Chilean political history or the New Chilean Song Movement will find this book interesting, but the impending doom described in its later pages is difficult to get through.

[rafa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Encuentro que es un libro imprescindible. La manera en que Joan retrata a Chile desde una mirada a veces externa y perpleja, y a veces con mayor claridad que muchos nacionales, es única. La forma en que logra dar espacio en el libro tanto a la historia de Víctor, la suya, y la compartida por ambos, es muy hermosa. Y ese final injusto que esperemos llame a retomar su canto.

[Florencia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really connected with this book. Mainly, with the experience of getting to know Victor's life apart from what we all know about him, but often what we know does not bring us to the deeper nuances perhaps, or the understanding of Victor's journey on this earth. Thus, we often find ourselves missing his human side, his day-to-day life. I didn't really know the person he was apart from his labour in the social aspects of his careers. Which of course, I will always admire because of the relevant contribution he did recognizing the hidden musical side of Chile.
Hence, I would ask everyone who calls him "The communist", as if it was everything there is to know about him, I would ask them to read this book, and separate this perception and label, often coming with a pejorative connotation, from who he actually meant for the Chilean society back in the day, which was much more than just "The communist singer".

[dead letter office · Rating 5 out of 5]

a biography of chilean folksinger and political activist victor jara, imprisoned and murdered in the days after the pinochet coup. written by victor's wife joan. this tells his/their story and the story of the election, overthrow, and death of chilean president salvador allende. highly recommended.

i used to have a copy of a two-cassette album by the same title ("an unfinished song") as the book. it was by far my favorite collection of victor jara's music, but it was released by now-vanished redwood records. if anyone has access to that album, or knows if it has been reissued, i would love to get a copy.

[Nihan D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Şarkılarını halk için söylemiş, hayatı boyunca diğer insanlara yardımcı olmaya çalışmış, eline asla silah almamış ve bir karıncayı bile incitmemiş bir müzisyen. Ve sadece fikirleri yüzünden tutuklandığında işkenceyle öldürüp bir de ellerini kırmışlar!!!! Canavar insanoğlu!!

[darien · Rating 5 out of 5]

tengo el corazón en un puñito.

[Carlos Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptionally moving and important account of the life of Victor Jara, the great Chilean singer, guitarist, director and activist. Contains lots of insight in relation to the Popular Unity government of Salvador Allende (1970-73), the activism that sustained it, and the fascist military coup the brought it down.

Victor Jara is a hero of the oppressed people worldwide, and his legacy should never be forgotten.

[SoyYoynadie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me suelo alejar de las biografías porque, en una representación clara de mi oblicuidad con la que me enfrento a la literatura, tiendo a leer en pos del escapismo. Frente a ello, tiendo a encontrar el tedio cuando leo sobre personajes reales, principalmente debido al lenguaje que se ocupa para hablar de ellos, pero también por los no reconocidos sesgos que tienen los autores sobre las personas que intentan retratar.

Joan se aleja totalmente de esto porque habla siempre desde su honestidad; lo que tiene un gran peso debido al enorme cariño y amor que se palpa en todo momento respecto a Víctor. Esto se suma al enorme peso histórico que tiene el testimonio de Joan a la hora de entender realmente el proceso que nos llevó a la terrible dictadura que hubo en Chile. La esperanza transicionando a la angustia es narrada de forma tan visceral, que es imposible no sentir las emociones que se vivieron en aquel momento. Esto sumada al increíble poder de Joan para escribir de forma tan visual dan como resultado probablemente mi biografía favorita.

Frase favorita:

"—¿Qué mierda haremos si gana Alessandri, mamita? —después de una pausa agrega—: ¿Y qué mierda harán ellos si Allende?"

[Reuben]

An unfinished read: The copy of Y. Negev

Got through about half on a bus ride to Montreal, forgot about it, had to return copy to Quebecoise owner (my reason for having it in the first place). Can't find another copy.

So it goes!

[Feni Ramos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me demoré siglos, y fue a propósito. El libro es hermoso, la prosa de Joan es preciosa, pero es muy terrible, te destruye emocionalmente, te llena de rabia y de pena.

[taylor :)]

i love you victor jara…

[James Renaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring read, grim to finish it on the day Chile elected a pro-Pinochet president.

[Lars Borking · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joan is telling her and Victors story so full of love for each other and for the chillean people and their democratic revolution. From the quest of Victor and others finding and reviving their own cultural herritage of songs, dances, instruments and stories to the fight for a more just society. A most inspiering account of courrage, modesty and love. With an incredible develloped consiousness that even beaten to blood knowing that this is the last poem he will ever write he sees through the horror of fascism and recognices "and the military showing their midwives' faces. full of sweetness."
As in Romeo and Julliet this is a love story where the reader will know the ending from the start. As in the biblical story of the crucifiction of Christ this is a story of unconditional love. And above all it is the story spelling that no matter the greatness of your humanistic ideals, without the armed strenght to defend the progress, you will get crushed.

[Javiera Acuña · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Un par de pitucos intercambian informaciones: «Entonces ¿no nos van a fusilar?». El otro responde: «Peor aún, nos harán trabajar»."

"Me dijo: «Lo que nos faltó fue el odio. No éramos capaces de odiar. Ahora ellos nos han enseñado lo que eso significa»."

"Aunque es imposible vivir con el odio a cuestas, también es imposible perdonar cuando nadie pide perdón ni da la menor muestra de arrepentimiento."

[Vicente Morales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maravillosa historia de uno de los más grandes cantautores chilenos, contada nada más ni nada menos que por el amor de su vida.
La narración es entretenida y la descripción de los paisajes y las situaciones realmente te transportan.

[Declan Hickey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best thing I’ve read in a long time. In equal parts moving biography and potent symbol of struggle, Joan Jara’s tribute defies classification. Essential reading for anyone interested in Chilean politics, modern history and/or culture. Solidarity with all Chilean compañeros and compañeras!

[Joao Resende · Rating 5 out of 5]

Decidi ler esse livro na esteira das transformações políticas e sociais recentes no Chile, com a decisão popular de remover um dos últimos entulhos autoritários do país – a Constituição pinochetista – e os desafios subsequentes de aprovar um novo texto constitucional. O falecimento de Joan Jara, cujo trabalho artístico eu desconhecia, foi a fagulha para comprar esse livro.

Como brasileiro, tive pouco ou quase nada de contato com a música latino-americana, conhecendo muito mais da MPB e do contexto político em que ela se inseriu. Mas é muito difícil não relacionar o movimento da “Tropicália” com a canção de protesto de Víctor e de seus grupos de canção folclórica, ainda mais nos períodos ditatoriais do momento em que se popularizaram.

Joan tem um poder descritivo excelente. Descreveu com maestria as paisagens do Chile dos anos 1950 a 1970, um país espremido entre a cordilheira dos Andes e o oceano pacífico. Além disso, trouxe importantes informações sobre a sociedade chilena, a luta de classes, as especificidades socioculturais e geográficas, a cultura indígena mapuche, entre outros. A sua visão como estrangeira, apesar de viver tanto tempo no Chile que passou a ser chilena, ajuda quem é de fora a entender um pouco mais sobre esse país.

Por fim, vale muito à pena a leitura. E que sempre nos lembremos de Víctor e de tantos outros artistas ou intelectuais que tiveram suas vidas encurtadas – suas canções inacabadas – por causa da violência política estatal patrocinada pelas ditaduras militares da América Latina.

[Robin Kirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book with a nuanced, sharp-eyed, and very personal look not only at Jara but at a tumultuous Chile. I was surprised by Jara's commitment to performance and the theater. I'd known him primarily as a musician. While that was important to him, his art was actually much broader. He was not only fed by Chilean tradition and folk ways, but the innovation and diversity of international performance. Joan comes off as so smart and loving, and is also such a tragic figure. Even in the midst of her grief, she's done important work for Chile in keeping Jara's memory and work alive and relevant.

[Kusal Perera · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most touching stories I've read of a real life man, told in the most touching way by his wife. Its the sad story of a man who thought he could sing for the men of the soil and stand for their political cause in a world of new music in the Chile that was being heavily intruded by the USA to push through a bloody military coup. Victor never compromised his conscience and was brutally murdered.

[Manuel Gómez Gutiérrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es que yo no puedo con este libro, en la relectura lloré más. 💕💕💕
GRACIAS INFINITAS JOAN POR ESCRIBIR EL LIBRO 🙏🏼
Un libro que tiene historia de Chile, historía de la danza en Chile y además la historia de amor entre Joan y Víctor. En adición a esto la forma que tiene Joan de narrar todo es preciosísima, te transporta al momento y lugar. Está lleno de emociones dónde está plasmada la pasión de Joan que puede trasmitir toda la pasión que tenía Víctor.

[Sofía Aguilera · Rating 5 out of 5]

ME ROMPE EL CORAZÓN 💔, Joan Jara es mucho más fuerte que yo por el sólo hecho de haber sido capaz de escribir este libro. Qué mujer, dios mio. Anyways, amé tanto el libro, por la intimidad, por la emoción, los sentimientos, y especialmente por darme la oportunidad de conocer más a Joan, que es más que la viuda de Víctor.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Victor Jara was an actor and musician that was involved in the Chilean workers' revolt. The story is well written, but is so sad.

[Jane Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had been in the pile next to my bed for a couple of years, in fact, and I decided to read it as I'm going to Chile in a few months. And what a book it is! I wish I'd read it sooner. Anyone interested in how the arts - whether theatre in the broadest sense, music and dance - can be used to try to help create a more coherent, caring and socially responsible society, and anyone who is also appalled by authoritarian, right-wing dictatorships and how these will use violence to crush ruthlessly all opposition, all voices and movements aiming to make society better for people from all classes, genders and ethnic groups, will find this book fascinating and, unfortunately, timely.
Joan Jara was an English dancer who moved to Chile in the 1960s with her first husband, a Chilean ballet dancer. After their relationship ended, she was teaching dance and movement for actors at a university in Santiago. There she met Victor Jara, who became one of Chile's most famous singers, pioneering the 'new' folk song, which actually drew on traditional folk music from up and down the long, thin country that is Chile. Victor visited indigenous mining and farming communities, for example, and incorporated their songs, instruments and traditions into his own work, often as a reaction to commercialised, sanitised popular 'folk' music of the late 50s and 60s.
Victor was trained as a theatre director, initially, and I found that very interesting as he's mostly known today as a singer. His training and expertise in music and theatre helped him to organise and stage vast, ambitious pageants, song festivals and what we'd call today outreach community projects up and down the country in his and his supporters' work to involve ordinary, working class people, the poor, the uneducated in dance, song and theatre. All this was facilitated when Salvador Allende was elected in 1970 as the leader of the left-wing Popular Unity party, and Victor and Joan's work became part of state backed social and educational policy.
Because of the Popular Unity government's policies of nationalisation, redistribution of land and wealth, for example, which eroded the profits of foreign multi-national companies, especially American ones, the CIA, oligarchs, upper classes etc staged a violent coup which, overnight, ended everything Victor, Joan and their movement had worked for. Victor, along with thousands of others, was 'arrested' and killed after several days of torture. Although I knew what had happened to Victor, these pages were hard to read, specially seeing it all from the author's perspective as she spent days and nights not knowing what had become of him. Her later reconstruction of his last days and hours is even more poignant as it was due to the love and respect people felt for him that led them to seek out Joan with information. These individuals were often newly released from the stadium and came to the Jaras' house at great personal risk.
Joan Jara relates the whole social and political history of these 13 or so years with a very deft touch, managing to convey her relationship with Victor; the work of both of them; her family life with Victor; their revolutionary work in using the arts as a force for societal change, in a readable, intelligent and accessible way. It's not a political diatribe, nor is it sentimental, flowery nor self-indulgent in any way.
Joan Jara lived into her 90s, and, finally, just before she died arrests were made of several ex- army officers responsible for Victor Jara's murder.
This account is a must-read for people interested in the power of music and dance, history and social justice.

[Dilan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ölümsüz Şarkı, Victor Jara’nın hayatını hem kendi ağzından hem de eşi Joan Jara’dan dinlediğimiz kısa bir kitap ama ben dün gece bu kitabı ağlayarak okudum. Victor Jara’yı ilk olarak Eduardo Galeano ile tanıdım. Galeano için Latin Amerika açısından muhteşem bir bellek ve hikaye anlatıcısı olduğunu söylüyorum sürekli. Victor Jara da bir hafıza, bir ruh ve bir halktı!

"Halka inilmez, çıkılır." diyen Victor, gerçekten de halka çıkmayı başarmış bir şarkıcı. Müziğin insanlar üzerinde daha etkili bir araç olduğunu keşfettikten sonra tiyatroyu bırakıyor ve kendisini tamamen müziğe adıyor. "Ben üniversiteye gidemeyenler, zor koşullarda çalışanlar, aldatılan insanlar için söylüyorum. Yani halk için." sözlerinden onun müziğinin amacını anlamak mümkün. Güneyde unutulmaması gereken çok şey olduğunu savunan Victor Jara "Halkın ruhunu gerçekten yorumlamak isteyen biri önünde çok uzun bir yol bulur." sözleriyle bu çaba içerisinde olduğunu sürekli vurguluyor.

11 Eylül 1973 gününde Allende iktidarının Birleşik Devletler destekli askeri darbe sonucu devrilmesiyle Victor Jara, Ulusal Stadyum’da tutuklandı ve bir daha gitar çalamasın diye elleri kırıldı. Fakat onun şarkısı dalga dalga stadyuma yayıldı, susturamadılar. Victor Jara ve binlerce insan ağır işkence ve makineli tüfeklerle defalarca kurşunlanarak katledildi. "Çok cesur davrandığını biliyorum. Tutuklu arkadaşlarının direnç kaynağı olduğunu biliyorum. Biliyorum, orada da şarkı söylemişti." diyen Joan Jara haklıydı. Victor Jara son şarkısını söylemişti.
"Tükeniyor ömürler dört duvar arasında ilerlemeyen bir sayı gibi,
Yalvararak ölümün bir an önce gelmesi için."

[NiCR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recuerdo que me compré este libro original en una feria en barrio Yungay cuando tenía 16 años, un sábado invernal, andaba con la July y lo pasamos muy bien entre las dos. Lo leí hace diez años y sigo con la sensación de que es un libro lleno de amor de parte de su esposa hacia él. Al final quedé con la sensación de que este hombre y ella lo tenían todo: se amaban, tenían una familia bonita y ambos trabajaban en lo que les gustaba pero la nación de la tragedia atacó de la forma más horrible posible. Si Victor no se hubiese metido en política, hubiesen sido muy felices probablemente y es lamentable, porque un hombre como él era muy necesario en la política, supongo. Cada vez que nombran como murió Victor Jara, siempre pienso en Joan Jara y en la tristeza enorme que su corazón debe sentir siempre, y en cómo el recuerdo de su esposo se debe haber convertido en una especie de paraíso idílico donde él era un ángel de esos que brillan al lado de dios y ella un ángel de la guarda. Ninguno creía en dios claramente, pero esa es la sensación que me entrega el libro.

[Areli Liezbeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luego de este libro me siento la amiga personal de Joan y de Victor.
La forma en la que amaban, a los suyos y al arte es algo muy conmovedor, y sufro aún por todo lo que pasó, porque el mundo perdiera a una vida como la de Victor Jara.
Joan y Victor viven en la música y la danza y en el corazón de todos nosotros los amantes del arte y de la justicia.
Me lloré todo el libro, serán los dos siempre infinitos ❤️

[Yaotl Altan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hermosos relatos escritos por la esposa de nuestro mártir chileno 🇨🇱 Víctor Jara. Detalla el crecimiento laboral de Víctor, el ascenso político de la Unidad Popular y el asesinato del cantautor.

Joan Jara le imprime un estilo apasionado a la escritura. Es imposible no entristecer conforme se acerca el final del libro 📙 y, por ende, el asesinato cometido contra Víctor Jara: su confinamiento en el estadio usado como campo de concentración, su últimos versos, su cadáver encontrado días después.

Siempre que escucho las canciones de Víctor Jara recuerdo este libro, los discursos de Allende, y las canciones de Violeta Parra, Inti Illimani, Quilapayún y la obra de poetas como Neruda, Mistral y Nicanor. Más de una vez sus canciones me han acompañado en entrenamientos en los que asocio la letra a pasajes de su vida descritos por la autora y esposa de Víctor.

¡Nunca te olvidaremos, camarada Víctor Jara!

[Merlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most beautiful and painful book I've ever read. This is an important piece of history that everyone should know. Victor Jara was a soul that's still missed, even by people like me who were born ~30 years after his death. Joan Jara did the job that had to be done and told the story of her husband to the world. And the whole world should read it.

[Juan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Victor is always present in our lives!

[shamaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

the last two chapters had me sobbing... Compañero Victor Jara, presente, ahora y siempre