Flights of Victory =: Vuelos de Victoria

by Ernesto Cardenal

English, Spanish

Genres: Poetry

123 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Reverend Father Ernesto Cardenal Martínez was a Nicaraguan Catholic priest, poet, and politician. He was a liberation theologian and the founder of the primitivist art community in the Solentiname Islands, where he lived for more than ten years (1965–1977). A former member of the Nicaraguan Sandinistas (he left the party in the early 1990s), he was Nicaragua's minister of culture from 1979 to 1987.

His earlier poems focused on life and love. However, some works, such as "Zero Hour," had a direct correlation to his Marxist political ideas, being tied to the assassination of guerrilla leader Augusto César Sandino. Cardenal's poetry also was heavily influenced by his unique Catholic ideology, mainly liberation theology. Some of his later works were heavily influenced by his understanding of science and evolution, though still in dialogue with his earlier Marxist and Catholic material.--excerpted from Wikipedia

Reviews

[Necalli Calavera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful. The words were so intimate and woven beautifully to describe the emotions of war and what the author went through. 💚

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've decided to start reading poetry on the pot. So far so good. I'd never read Cardenal before, but I was really impressed by his evocative mixing of the political and natural worlds. It makes me want to learn more about the Sandinistas and become a poet-priest-protester.

[Brett Ortiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this collection of poems as a freshman in college seven years ago. I decided to reread because I feel like I am more cultured and will have a greater understanding and respect for the author. I feel that I made the right decision.

[Mills College Library]

861 C266f 1985