This Sorrow that Lifts Me Up

Florbela Espanca is a renowned Portuguese poet whose passionate poetry explores longing, love, and sexual liberation. This bilingual anthology showcases her work and highlights her legacy, including her tumultuous life and signature sonnets.

Format: Hardback
Length: 180 pages
Publication date: 01 May 2022
Publisher: Shantarin

Florbela Espanca, a renowned poet from Portugal, has left an indelible mark on the literary world with her exceptional talent. This bilingual anthology presents English-speaking readers with a glimpse into why she deserves to be recognized on a global scale. Espanca's poetry is a captivating blend of longing, love, and sexual liberation, set against the backdrop of the vibrant interwar années folles. Tragically, her life was cut short in 1930, but her legacy has lived on through the captivating combination of her tumultuous life story and a series of signature sonnets that oscillate between profound feelings of failure and unwavering declarations of passion for life. Edited by Cláudia Pazos-Alonso, this anthology features the masterful translation by Simon Park and stunning illustrations by Margarida Fleming, enhancing the reader's experience of Espanca's powerful words.

Florbela Espanca, born in 1894, was a Portuguese poet who gained widespread recognition during her lifetime. Her exceptional talent and unique voice made her a standout figure in the literary world. Despite her relatively short life, Espanca left an enduring impact through her poetry, which explored themes of love, longing, and sexual liberation.

One of the defining characteristics of Espanca's poetry is its passionate and raw emotion. She expressed her deepest desires and fears openly, without fear of judgment or societal norms. Her words resonated with readers who were searching for a way to connect with their own emotions and experiences.

Espanca's poetry also reflected the social and cultural context of her time. The interwar années folles, a period of immense cultural and artistic activity in Europe, was a fertile ground for her creativity. She captured the spirit of the times with her vivid descriptions and bold imagery, creating a sense of excitement and glamour that was often missing in the everyday lives of people.

Despite her success and recognition, Espanca's life was not without its challenges. She struggled with personal demons and faced financial difficulties throughout her career. However, her resilience and determination never wavered, and she continued to write and publish her poetry until her untimely death in 1930.

Espanca's legacy has continued to grow over the years, thanks to the efforts of her admirers and scholars. Her poetry has been translated into numerous languages, allowing a wider audience to appreciate her talent and her unique perspective on the world.

In conclusion, Florbela Espanca is a celebrated poet whose talent and passion for life have left an indelible mark on the literary world. Her bilingual anthology provides English-speaking readers with a glimpse into why she deserves to be more widely known and celebrated. Through her poetry, Espanca explored the depths of human emotion, challenged societal norms, and captured the spirit of a vibrant era. Her legacy continues to inspire and resonate with readers around the world, reminding us of the power of words and the importance of expressing our true selves.

Dimension: 200 x 141 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789895356119