Poetry
Fuera del juego
Not translated into English
Heberto Padilla · 1968
Synopsis
A book of poems in which the speaker stands apart from collective enthusiasm. The opening poem, En tiempos difíciles, lists everything the age demands of a man, from his whole body to his obedience; others give, sarcastically, instructions for entering the new society, advancing and retreating, but always applauding. The poet refuses to be a hero there and knows himself condemned to his time.
Context
The manuscript entered the Union of Writers' Julián del Casal prize in 1968, with a line by Pasternak as its motto. The jury, which included Lezama Lima, José Z. Tallet, J. M. Cohen, César Calvo and Manuel Díaz Martínez, judged it critical but not counter-revolutionary and awarded it the prize. The book nevertheless appeared with a statement from the leadership claiming that this poetry served the country's enemies, then the armed forces' magazine attacked it in November under a pen name. Claude and Carmen Durand translated it for Éditions du Seuil as early as 1969.
Who it is for
Short, ironic poems, in Spanish; a French translation has existed since 1969, from Éditions du Seuil.
Prizes and reception
Julián del Casal poetry prize in 1968, awarded by a jury that stood by its choice despite pressure.
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