René Char was a poet whose work was deeply influenced by his philosophical approach to poetry. His verses often explore themes of existence, memory, and humanity's connection to nature, emphasizing the present moment and the power of language. Char's style is characterized by conciseness, precision, and profound introspection, offering readers a meditative yet intense experience. His creations, frequently published in collaboration with leading visual artists, represent a unique dialogue between words and art.
The foreword by Ilya Kaminsky highlights the remarkable qualities of Nancy Naomi Carlson's translations of René Char, emphasizing their intense and dream-like language. He notes the gravity of the tone and suggests that the experience of reading these translations transcends mere words, evoking vivid imagery akin to "sparks of flames." This sets the stage for an exploration of Char's poetic depth and the unique artistry of Carlson's interpretations.
"Gathered by the translator as a companion volume to René Char's war-time journal, Hypnos: Notes from the French Resistance (1943-44), these 40 poems are a representative cross-section of the poet's mature work."--Book jacket.
Now in paperback, René Char's Hypnos is both a remarkable work of literature and a document of unique significance in the history of the French Resistance. Hailed by the poet Paul Eluard as an "absolute masterpiece" upon its first appearance in 1946, René Char's Hypnos is both a remarkable work of literature and a document of unique significance in the history of the French Resistance. Based on a journal Char kept during his time in the Maquis, it ranges in style from abrupt and sometimes enigmatic reflections, in which the poet seeks to establish compass bearings in the darkness of Occupied France, to narrative descriptions that throw into vivid relief the dramatic and often tragic nature of the issues he had to confront as the head of his Resistance network. A tribute to the individual men and women who fought at his side, this volume is also a meditation on the white magic of poetry and a celebration of the power of beauty to combat terror and transform our lives. Translated into German by Paul Celan and into Italian by Vittorio Sereni, the book has never been carried over into English with the attention to style and detail that it deserves. Published in full here for the first time, this long-awaited new translation does justice at last to the incandescence and pathos of the original French.