The Dinner at Gonfarone's: Salomon de la Selva and His Pan-American Project in Nueva York, 1915-1919

The Dinner at Gonfarones is a partial biography that covers five years in the life of Salomón de la Selva, a young Nicaraguan poet, and offers a literary geography of Hispanic New York in the years around the First World War. It highlights other Hispanic writing about New York in these years by poets such as Rubén Darío, José Santos Chocano, and Juan Ramón Jiménez, all of whom were part of de la Selva's extensive network.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 01 March 2022
Publisher: Liverpool University Press

The Dinner at Gonfarones is a captivating work of literature that seamlessly weaves together a partial biography, delving into the vibrant five years of the young Nicaraguan poet, Salomón de la Selva. However, it extends beyond its biographical scope, offering a rich literary geography of Hispanic New York (Nueva York) during the tumultuous years surrounding the First World War.

Salomón de la Selva's significance lies in his role as the largely overlooked pioneer of Latino writers, notably Junot Díaz and Julia Álvarez. He achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first Hispanic author to publish a book of poetry in English. Furthermore, his pan-American project brought together writers from across the American continent in New York, pioneering the concept of trans-American literature long before it was formally articulated. De la Selva's extensive network included renowned writers like Edwin Markham, Amy Lowell, and Edna St Vincent Millay, thanks to the discovery of caches of letters he exchanged with them.

In addition to de la Selva's own poetic brilliance, The Dinner at Gonfarones showcases the diverse voices of other Hispanic writers who captured the essence of New York during this period. Poets like Rubén Darío, José Santos Chocano, and Juan Ramón Jiménez, who were closely connected to de la Selva, contribute their own unique perspectives to this literary tapestry. Their works, alongside de la Selva's own poetry, including his celebrated book Tropical Town (1918) and a previously unpublished 1916 manuscript collection, provide a vivid and comprehensive portrayal of Hispanic life in New York during the early 20th century.

The Dinner at Gonfarones is a testament to the power of literature to transcend boundaries and connect people across cultures. It serves as a reminder of the rich heritage and contributions of Hispanic writers to American literature, and it sheds light on the vibrant and dynamic landscape of Hispanic New York during a pivotal period in history. This captivating work of literature invites readers to explore the lives and works of Salomón de la Selva and his fellow Hispanic writers, fostering a deeper understanding of the diverse tapestry of American literature.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781802070040