Description
The Sour Blackberries
Book Summary
Originally published in 1999, "The Sour Blackberries" is a book that marked a turning point in Spanish poetry at the turn of the century. Written by Carmen Jodra Davó when she was only eighteen years old, the work is striking for its mastery of classical form and its ability to fuse literary tradition with a vital, disillusioned, and ironic outlook. This edition recovers the original text and enriches it with "Hecatombe," a set of contemporary décimas that allows for a greater appreciation of the value of a work written from a position of independence and creative freedom.
What is it about?
The book is built upon a profound knowledge of classical poetry and the Spanish literary tradition, but with a unique voice that challenges conventions. Through precise and formally impeccable language, the author approaches life from a disillusioned and bitter perspective, yet always tinged with irony. The writing becomes a territory of freedom where the weight of literature is equal to the weight of life experience. The "Hecatombe" addendum complements the original work with a series of décimas that reinforce the tone and intensity of the collection, offering a more complete vision of Jodra Davó's poetic proposal.
Main themes
- The fusion of literature and life experience as axes of poetic creation.
- Disenchantment and bitterness as filters through which to observe reality.
- Irony as a tool to address the complexity of life.
- The re-reading and updating of classical poetry and the Spanish tradition.
- Writing as a space of independence and creative freedom.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at poetry readers interested in contemporary formal lyricism, and at those who seek a young but mature voice that engages with tradition from a refreshing perspective. It is also recommended for scholars of Spanish poetry at the turn of the century and for those who appreciate works that combine formal rigor with a critical and vital outlook.
What this book contributes
- An inaugural work that marked a milestone in Spanish poetry of the late 20th century.
- Mastery of classical form combined with a personal and disillusioned view of life.
- An edition expanded with "Hecatombe," a set of décimas that enriches the reading of the original collection.
- A demonstration of how youth and knowledge of tradition can result in poetry of great maturity and depth.
Technical specifications
- Author: Carmen Jodra Davó
- Publisher: La Bella Varsovia
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: Poetry by individual poets
- Collection: Poetry
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: February 2020
- Number of pages: 92
- Weight: 141 g
Editorial review
"The Sour Blackberries" is an essential title for understanding the evolution of contemporary Spanish poetry. Carmen Jodra Davó's work stands out for its formal maturity and its capacity to integrate classical tradition into a personal, ironic, and disillusioned discourse. The inclusion of "Hecatombe" in this reissue adds value by allowing for a more complete view of her poetic proposal. It is a recommended read both for poetry lovers and for those looking for an original and free voice within the literary scene.