Vrbe IV

Entre los matorrales del silencio la obscuridad lame la sangre del crepúsculo . Las estrellas caídas. son pájaros muertos en el agua sin sueño del espejo y las artillerías sonoras del atlántico se apagaron, al fin, en la distancia. Sobre la arboladura del otoño. sopla un viento nocturno: es el viento de Rusia, de las … More Vrbe IV

Baile de cuna

I was out walking and came upon one of the bailes de cuna Villaverde describes taking place in Havana, but that we also have here. A grandfather in a green silk suit waved me in. Another one grabbed me to dance. I like your step was his first salida.  Caribbean men. He was one of these jinetero … More Baile de cuna

Englishwoman vs. Spaniard on public transportation, Madrid 1871, and more evidence of my avant-garde nature

Pérez Galdós has the inglesa speak Spanish like this: -¡Oooh!… usted… mi quejarme al coachman… usted reventar me for it. ♦ We have read a novella describing a trip on Madrid’s first ever public tram, which started running in 1871 and was horse drawn. The route began in the barrio of Salamanca, went down Serrano … More Englishwoman vs. Spaniard on public transportation, Madrid 1871, and more evidence of my avant-garde nature

Rocambole

At last I know what “rocambolesque” means. And the writer Ponson du Terrail, who created the character Rocambole, believed in speed and eschewed perfectionism. That gave rise to interesting errors: “Her hands were as cold as those of a snake” (Elle avait les mains aussi froides que celles d’un serpent) “With one hand, he raised … More Rocambole

Une petite question

Why is it that when I think I am having some sort of grammatical, stylistic or diction problem in Spanish and I look it up, I always discover that what I had said originally was right? (I do not have the same kind of luck with English.) Axé.

Vrbe V

Las hordas salvajes de la noche se echaron sobre la ciudad amedrentada. La bahía florecida, de mástiles y lunas, se derrama sobre la partitura ingenua de sus manos, y el grito, lejano de un vapor, hacia los mares nórdicos. Adiós al continente naufragado. Entre los hilos de su nombre se quedaron las plumas de los … More Vrbe V

Junot Díaz

Here is a portfolio of references for The Brief, Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. Do you like this book? I see why one should like it and that it is admirable but it reminds me of The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love which was, once again, interesting but not lasting. I am much, much more … More Junot Díaz