Thirty-five years after her death, this book reassesses the Argentinian poet Alejandra Pizarnik (1936-72) in the light of recent publications of her 'complete' poetry and prose, diaries, and previously unavailable archive material.
The essays in this volume explore Pizarnik's work from new angles: they examine her production as a literary critic, revealing her intense identificatory strategies as a reader, and the impact of such activities upon her own creative process. They also weigh up the influence of her ambiguous attitudes towards sexuality on her poetic personae, as well as the ways in which her concern with sex inspires her experimentation with humorous prose. New approaches are taken to key texts and themes: in the case of the much-studied work, 'La condesa sangrienta', through a detailed philosophical reading involving comparisons with Kafka, and, in the case of the theme of the split subject, through the lens of translation.
By broadening the scope of Pizarnik studies, this book will act as a catalyst for further research into the work of this compelling poet.
FIONA MACKINTOSH and KARL POSSO lecture in Hispanic Studies at the University of Edinburgh.
OTHER CONTRIBUTORS: Susana Chávez Silverman, Evelyn Fishburn, Florinda F. Goldberg, Cristina Piña, Cecilia Rossi, Jason Wilson
Reviews
A compelling introduction to the work of Alejandra Pizarnik (1936-1972), one of the most prominent women poets of Argentina. [...] A useful book to those interested in women's writing and Latin American poetry. FORUM FOR MODERN LANGUAGE STUDIESConstitutes a significant addition to the extant criticism on the work of one of Spanish America's most intriguing twentieth-century poets. [...] An indisputably important collection, one that should be widely available in both undergraduate and graduate libraries. BULLETIN OF SPANISH STUDIES
An excellent contribution to Pizarnik studies.[...][A] valuable and provocative work. BULLETIN OF HISPANIC STUDIES En conclusión, el volumen integra positivamente variados temas y aproximaciones teóricas. Además de la rigurosidad critica de los ensayos, las contribuciones más significativas son la exploración de los métodos de trabajo de Pizarnik y la cuidadosa revisión de los nuevos recursos a disposición de los lectores. Como resultado, el libro acierta en su objetivo de revitalizar el interés académico en la escritora argentina. HISPANIA
Of great interest and great value to postgraduate students and academics. [...] Provide[s] a very useful indication of how texts, contexts, theories and perspectives can come together to illuminate new paths. JOURNAL OF IBERIAN AND LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES
