Complete Poems

Salvatore Quasimodo was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1959 for his lyrical poetry with classical fire, which expresses the tragic experience of life in our time. Jack Bevan's authoritative translation of Quasimodo's life work fills a great gap in our knowledge of twentieth-century European poetry, allowing them to stand as poems in their own right. Quasimodo's strong and passionate writing continues to testify to the human-and inhuman-realities which have created our modern world.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 25 November 2021
Publisher: Carcanet Press Ltd

Salvatore Quasimodo, a renowned poet of the 20th century, received the prestigious Nobel Prize for Literature in 1959. The citation highlights his exceptional lyrical poetry, infused with a classical fire, which vividly captures the tragic essence of life in our contemporary era. Jack Bevan's authoritative translation of Quasimodo's life work fills a significant gap in our understanding of 20th-century European poetry. Bevan's meticulous translation brings forth the textured beauty of Quasimodo's poetry, while his elegant and lucid prose ensures that these poems stand as remarkable works in their own right. Peter Scupham, in his review of Bevan's translation of Quasimodo's final poems, Debit and Credit, praised the translator for his skill in rendering these poems accessible to English readers. Scupham noted that Bevan's translation captures the essence of Quasimodo's powerful and passionate writing, which continues to shed light on the human and inhuman realities that have shaped our modern world. Italian critic Giuliano Dego praised Quasimodo's poetic mission, stating that he bore witness to human history with the urgency of a particular time and place, while also imparting the lesson of courage. Quasimodo's poetry serves as a testament to his unwavering commitment to exploring the complexities of the human experience and inspiring readers to confront the challenges of their time.

Weight: 328g
Dimension: 135 x 215 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781800171084