Sketches of Spain: Impressions and Landscapes

by Federico García Lorca

Federico Garcia Lorca's first book, published when he was just nineteen, is a series of meditations on Spanish art, landscapes and history. Brimming with passion and excitement, the young writer travels in search of Spain's essential spirit; sunsets in Granada, the Gothic magnificence of Burgos Cathedral, "the savage splendour" of Castiles' mountains and plains. While Lorca celebrated Spanish culture- romantic gardens, agonised crucifixes, Gregorian plainchant and "the bite of flamenco" - he was also fearlessly critical when, for example, the harshness of celibacy of monks' lived or poverty and injustice aroused his rage.

Serifs new edition of this formative work by one of the twentieth century's greatest writers is embellished by Julian Bell's evocative illustrations,which take the reader straight to the heart of Lorca's Spain. With its rich, poetic prose, Sketches of Spain is a missing piece in the jigsaw puzzle of a creative life cut tragically short by the author's assassination at the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, Spanish Literature, Poetry, Biography Memoir, Biography

224 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2012

About the author

Born in Fuente Vaqueros, Granada, Spain, June 5 1898; died near Granada, August 19 1936, García Lorca is one of Spain's most deeply appreciated and highly revered poets and dramatists. His murder by the Nationalists at the start of the Spanish civil war brought sudden international fame, accompanied by an excess of political rhetoric which led a later generation to question his merits; after the inevitable slump, his reputation has recovered (largely with a shift in interest to the less obvious works). He must now be bracketed with Machado as one of the two greatest poets Spain has produced in the 20th century, and he is certainly Spain's greatest dramatist since the Golden Age.

Reviews

[Alessandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted so much to like this book. I didn't, but forced myself to power through. He's a poet and this is prose... so he routine;y uses 4 adjectives where 1 would suffice. I think I would have enjoyed this more in small doses when in the midst of the appropriate setting.

[Abdulla · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you ever find yourself in Spain, in Andalusia particularly, make sure to keep young Lorca's beautiful written recollection of sounds, images, and memories close to your arms and heart.

[J.C. Greenway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exactly like you would imagine travelling around Spain with a teenage poet to be, as Lorca journeys from town to town, recording not just what was there in front of him, but reflecting on centuries of history and art and their remnants.
Like having him grab you by the arm to say, 'Look!' and when you tell him you did, he again says, 'No, really LOOK.' He has a discerning eye and makes for a great guide.
Beautifully illustrated by Julian Bell, it's a vivid portrayal of a time and place in the country that although it must have seemed set in stone for Lorca, would soon be changed forever.

[Leo Clements-Bielenberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like the name suggests, Lorca is loosely sketching some impressions of towns and villages in Spain. As such the narrative doesn't really have a beginning, middle, end or even really much development, but that's ok, it's not promising much more than that.

I somehow feel like the translation could be better - at points feels overly literal, missing the poetic element.

All the same, the translation isn't terrible either and I did enjoy it, especially the moments where Lorca's voice shines through.

If you're a hispanophile like me, I would say it's worth a read!

[Simon Freeman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very indulgent. 'Art is not simply refined technique but needs the giant mysterious flame of inspiration if it is to speak out'. Indeed.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful stuff. Lorca had something of a facility with words.