Description
Poems
Book Summary
This edition brings together the poetic work of Gabriel de la Concepción Valdés, known as Plácido, one of the most significant Romantic poets of Cuba. His verses reflect his complex mixed-race identity and his talent for improvisation, capturing both the sensibility of his era and a depth that transcends his tragic biography. The reader will find poetry that marked a turning point in Afro-Cuban literature, written by an author who was persecuted and executed by firing squad in 1844, whose voice resonates with power and authenticity.
What is it about?
The poems of Gabriel de la Concepción Valdés (Plácido) are the lyrical testimony of a poet who lived at the crossroads of his mixed-race origin and his historical context. Born to a dancer from Burgos and a mixed-race barber, his work reflects this cultural duality and his struggle to find a voice of his own within Cuban Romanticism. Recognized by the poet Heredia, Plácido collaborated in various publications of the time, such as La Aurora de Matanzas and El Eco de Villaclara. His poetry, described by José Lezama Lima as "repentista" (improvised), reveals, however, a broader and deeper vision that goes beyond his life circumstances. Accused of participating in the Conspiracy of the Escalera, he was executed by firing squad at the age of thirty-five, which imbues his verses with tragic intensity and unavoidable testimonial value.
Main themes
- Mixed-race identity and cultural conflict in 19th-century Cuba.
- Cuban Romanticism and improvisational poetry.
- Political persecution, injustice, and historical memory.
- The influence of ethnicity on literary creation.
- The figure of the poet as a victim of his time.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at readers interested in Hispanic American Romantic poetry, 19th-century Cuban literature, and authors who marked a milestone in the expression of Afro-Cuban identity. It will also be of great value to those who study the relationship between biography, historical context, and poetic creation, as well as those seeking to understand the roots of Cuban literature through a tragic and fundamental voice.
What this book offers
- Access to the work of a key poet of Cuban Romanticism, whose life and death are intrinsically linked to his literary production.
- A unique perspective on cultural mestizaje and identity in Caribbean literature.
- A poetic testimony of great emotional intensity, marked by persecution and injustice.
- The opportunity to discover an author who influenced Afro-Cuban literature and was recognized by figures such as José Lezama Lima.
- An edition that collects his most representative poems in an accessible format.
Technical specifications
- Author: de la Concepción Valdés, Gabriel
- Publisher: Linkgua Ediciones
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: Classic texts
- Collection: Poetry
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: May 2025
- Number of pages: 114
- Weight: 170 g
Editorial review
This edition of the Poems of Gabriel de la Concepción Valdés (Plácido) is of great interest to those who wish to delve into Cuban Romantic poetry from a historical and cultural perspective. The work not only offers the literary value of an author recognized for his improvisational talent, but also invites reflection on the role of the poet in a context of oppression and racial conflict. It is a recommended read for specialists and enthusiasts of classic Hispanic American literature who seek to understand the roots of Afro-Cuban identity through lyric poetry.