Octavio Paz (Reaktion Books - Critical Lives)

Both an artist and activist, Octavio Paz won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1990. This recognition was the culmination of decades of work, as Paz strove to marry traditional Mexican poetry with distinctly surrealist and Spanish influences. Along with his work, Paz’s contribution to the intellectual debates of his time, such as those over the role of Mexican art in national identity, cannot be overemphasized. In Octavio Paz, Nicholas Caistor takes a fresh look at Paz’s exquisite poetry and fascinating life. Born during the Mexican Revolution, Paz spent his youth fighting to free Mexico from the ideologies of both the left and right. He traveled to the United States, then to Spain, where he fought with the Republicans against Franco's Nationalists. He eventually served as a diplomat in India before returning to his homeland in 1968, where he again became a vocal opponent of the government. As Caistor demonstrates, Paz’s personal journey in those years was as exciting as his public life. He details here the multiple marriages and passionate friendships that inevitably made their way into Paz’s poetry. Both concise and insightful, Octavio Paz reveals the life that informs a poetry that is deeply expressive—and distinctly political. (20080701) When Octavio Paz Won The Nobel Prize For Literature In 1990, It Was In Recognition Of The Fact That For Many Years He Had Been The Pre-eminent Poet In The Spanish Speaking World. His Work Takes The Traditions Of Mexican Poetry As Well As French And Spanish Influences, And Adds What He Himself Read Of His Contemporaries In Mexico, Britain And France, In Particular, The Surrealists. But Paz Was Also A Great Polemicist And Essayist, Described By V.s. Naipaul As 'a Kind Of Mexican George Orwell'. He Made A Huge Contribution To Intellectual Debates On Mexican Art And Identity, Its Connections With The Usa, And The European Heritage Of Latin America. Nick Caistor Examines How Paz, Born During The Mexican Revolution, Participated In The Attempts To Bring A Utopian Revolution To His Country, Which Was Emerging Into The Modern World After Decades Of Repressive Rule. At The Same Time, He Was Wary Of Ideology Imposing Itself On Art And Always Sought An Independent Position. Later, Paz Lived In The Usa, Europe And, As A Member Of The Mexican Diplomatic Service, In India, Returning To His Home Country In 1968 Where He Became An Influential Critic Of The Regime In Power. As Well As Examining Paz's Intellectual Adventures, Caistor Relates His Fascinating Private Life - His Marriages And Friendships With Leading Figures Of Mexican And Latin American Cultural Life, As Well As With Important Literary Figures In France, Britain, The United States And Italy. Caistor Reveals How Paz's Poetry And Other Writing Were Always Intimately Related To The Circumstances Of His Life, And Shows How His Ideas And Poetic Expression Were Inspired By The Events In Which He Was Involved.--jacket. Finding A Voice, 1914-37 -- Taking A Stand, 1937-43 -- New Departures, 1943-53 -- Reaching Out, 1953-69 -- Bringing It All Back Home, 1969-90 -- Consuming Fires, 1990-98. Nick Caistor. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 127-142). Imprint......Page 6 Contents......Page 7 Introduction......Page 9 1: Finding a Voice, 1914–37......Page 14 2: Taking a Stand, 1937–43......Page 35 3: New Departures, 1943–53......Page 56 4: Reaching Out, 1953–69 ......Page 79 5: Bringing it all Back Home, 1969–90......Page 102 6: Consuming Fires, 1990–98......Page 120 References......Page 129 Select Bibliography......Page 138 Acknowledgements......Page 145 Photo Acknowledgements......Page 146