César Vallejo Book order

The first complete English translation of a Latin American avant-garde masterpiece

The collection showcases the finest works of a prominent Spanish modernist, highlighting the depth and innovation of his poetry and prose. It captures the emotional intensity and philosophical insights that define his literary contributions, offering readers a glimpse into the complexities of human experience through Vallejo's unique voice and perspective.

César Vallejo is hailed as a monumental figure in 20th-century poetry, with Clayton Eshleman's translation capturing his vibrant and complex voice. Esteemed critics praise the translation for its energy and depth, highlighting Vallejo's universal themes and the translator's dedication in bringing his work to English readers.

Cesar Vallejo is one of the best-known Latin American poets of the twentieth century. Challenging, intense, and difficult to translate, Vallejo's work has often been overshadowed by his fervent endorsement of communism. Including Spanish and English versions of more than eighty poems that span Vallejo's career, this title collects his poems.

Cesar Vallejo was born in Santiago de Chuco, Peru, in 1892. He studied law and literature in Trujillo and in 1917 moved to Lima. In 1921 he spent three months in prison where he wrote some of the poems in Trilce. In 1923 he left for Paris, where he co-founded a cell of the Peruvian Communist Party. From Paris, he traveled to Russia and to Spain, during the Spanish Civil War. He died in Paris, in absolute poverty, devastated by the fall of the Spanish Republic, in 1938. Besides novels, short stories, dramas, and several journalistic and political collections, Vallejo left five books of poetry. Of these only Los heralds negros (The Black Heralds, 1918) and Trilce (1922) were published during his lifetime. Nomina de huesos (Payroll of Bones, 1923-1936), Sermon de la barbarie (Sermon on Barbarism, 1936-1938) and Espana, aparta de mi este caliz (Spain, Take This Cup from Me, 1937-1938), were published posthumously.

A recognition of Clayton Eshleman's seventeen-year apprenticeship to perhaps the most difficult poetry in the Spanish language.