ONDINE

ONDINA

Book Summary

Ondina is a poetic work that emerges from the depths of the sea and the interior of a woman to explore the meaning of water in a moment of greatest need. Andrea Bernal weaves a reflection on the nature that surrounds us, the sea as beauty and freedom, but also as a space of the sinister and immigration. Inspired by André Breton's L'air de l'eau and Paracelsus's nymphs, this collection of verses invites an immersion into the inner souls that resonate with others, demonstrating that all depth is shared.

What is it about?

The work was born from Los Hervideros in Lanzarote and dives into the duality of the ocean. On one hand, the sea is presented as a symbol of beauty, freedom, and pleasure, a constant presence in island life that never feels alien. On the other hand, the poet addresses the sea of the sinister: the ocean as a stage for immigration, a shared space that we often forget. The figure of the Ondina, an aquatic nymph who emerges from the deep, becomes a metaphor for the inner souls that resonate with the experiences of others. Through these verses, inspired by the work of André Breton and the tradition of Paracelsus's nymphs, Bernal explores the connection between water, nature, and the human condition, offering poetry that is at once intimate and universal.

Main themes

• Water as a symbol of origin, necessity, and transformation.
• The duality of the sea: beauty and pleasure versus the sinister and immigration.
• Island nature and its influence on identity and perception.
• Inner depth and the resonance between human souls.
• Inspiration from the surrealism of André Breton and the mythology of nymphs.

Who is it recommended for?

This book is aimed at readers of contemporary poetry interested in the exploration of nature and the human condition. It is especially recommended for those seeking a work that combines reflection on the island landscape with social issues such as immigration, as well as those drawn to the influence of surrealism and mythology in current lyrical work.

What this book offers

• A poetic perspective that unites the beauty of the sea with its rawest and most social reality.
• A deep reflection on the connection between the human interior and the natural environment.
• Verses inspired by literary and mythological traditions that enrich the reading experience.
• A brief but intense work, ideal for a leisurely and contemplative read.

Technical specifications

• Author: Andrea Bernal
• Publisher: Huerga y Fierro Editores
• Language: Spanish
• Subject: Poetry, poetry by individual poets, literary studies: poetry and poets
• Collection: Poetry
• Binding: Paperback
• Publication date: April 2024
• Number of pages: 66
• Weight: 126 g

Editorial review

Ondina is a poetic proposal that stands out for its ability to intertwine the contemplation of nature with a critical and social gaze. Andrea Bernal succeeds in making the sea, the central element of the work, both a space of beauty and freedom and a reminder of uncomfortable realities. The influence of André Breton and Paracelsus provides a layer of symbolic depth that will enrich readers familiar with these traditions, while its accessible language makes it suitable for those approaching contemporary poetry for the first time. It is a highly recommended work for those seeking a brief but meaningful read that invites reflection on water, identity, and human connection.