Burnt Sugar Cana Quemada: Contemporary Cuban Poetry in English and Spanish

by Lori Marie Carlson (editor), Oscar Hijuelos (Editor)

Here are the sights, sounds, and rhythms of Cuba, revealed in the evocative works of some of the finest Cuban and Cuban American poets of the twentieth century. In Burnt Sugar, bestselling translator Lori Marie Carlson and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Oscar Hijuelos have created an intimate collection of some of their favorite modern poems, all of which are informed by cubanía -- the essence of what it means to be Cuban. "Cuban" in this sense refers neither to ideology nor to geography but rather to the distinguishing characteristics of Cuban poetry as it has developed over time: clever verbal play, overt rhythmic notes, and an intensity of longing, whether religious, political, or amorous.

Many of these poems have never been translated into English before, and taken together they, as the editors say, "produce a vibrant, satisfying sound and vivid imagery. They allow for some understanding of modern-day preoccupations, contradictions, feelings, and attitudes considered to be Cuban." Stirring, immediate, and universal in its sensibility, Burnt Sugar is a luminous collection lovingly compiled by two of the world's foremost authorities on the subject.

Genres: Poetry, Spanish Literature

117 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Lori Marie Carlson was born in Jamestown, New York. She went to college at Indiana University, earning a MA in Hispanic Literature. She has taught at several universities.

Carlson has written several books for children and young adults, including Cool Salsa and Sol a Sol. The Sunday Tertulia is her first novel for adults.

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish the poems were side by side. I have several dual language poetry books that are organized in that way. I also wish that the date of the poem were included, that the poet biographies were listed in order of publication, and that Spanish lines in English poems were translated in footnotes.

Not all poems collected for this anthology could be legally included (?), and that's too bad. If you're reading this book to evoke Cuba, then I don't think you'll be disappointed, although you may be longing for more.

The poems that stand out in that regard are "Song to the Sugarcane" by Virgil Suarez. Finding sugarcane in Publix becomes a special moment with children as the speaker revisits childhood. "Hopeless" by Laura Ymayo Tartakoff shares what it's like to feel as if you don't belong anywhere. "We are the Heirs" by Rita Geada ended brilliantly: "The ones who write deep words,/facing waves,/on the sand."

Other poems have general, beautiful images. Fayad Jamis: "You had that radiant, pure face, guilty of love." Pablo Medina: "Because once in his life/the philosopher has to admit/to the poverty of thought."

[Quotes]

[Jodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eine Sammlung unterschiedlicher Gedichte kubanischer Autoren. Das Buch ist zweisprachig aufgemacht, was mir hier besonders zugesagt hat. Obwohl ich kein Spanisch kann (nur noch ein paar Brocken Italienisch aus der Schule), habe ich mir gerne auch das Original durchgelesen und nicht nur die Übersetzuhg. So bekommt man auch ein gutes Bild der kubanischen Sprachmelodie.

In den Texten geht es um vieles, das Kuba ausmacht. Leben, Sterben. Die Natur. Essen, tanzen, singen. Auswandern. Sich nach daheim sehnen, sich in die Ferne wünschen. Verwandte, Familie vermissen. Einige Texte mussten jedoch aus politischen Gründen entfernt werden. Eine tiefere Beschäftigung mit dem Kommunismus ist durch dieses Buch somit leider kaum möglich.

In der Auswahl hat es für mich etwas zu wenig Frauen vertreten, aber ansonsten war die Lektüre dieser Gedichte ein Genuss. Die Auswahl ist bis auf den genannten Punkt sehr gelungen, die Texte sehr unterschiedlich und abwechslungsreich.

Somit ist dieses Buch für all jene interessant, die sich für Kuba, Gedichte oder gar beides interessieren.

[Laura Roettiger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love poetry and was really expecting to love this. Only a few of the poems are memorable. I read them all in English but also a few in Spanish. I had hoped to use this with a bilingual student but there’s not enough to make it worthwhile.
I also question the layout where pages aren’t aligned Spanish on one side and English on the other.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read. I don’t normally read poetry, but I zipped through this collection in one sitting. I only read the English translations, so some of the rhythm from the Spanish was lost. I enjoyed a few but most didn’t stick. Those that did, reminded me that poetry is worth reading.

[Maria Maniaci · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved these poems, loved the book's bi-lingual presentation, and the way the editor grouped the poems by theme. They're very approachable.

[Tonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I would definitely look into finding some Cuban music to listen to as you read it. The poems themselves are very musical, and all give you a view of life in Cuba.

[Sasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found a handful of the poems beautiful, but most of this collection fell flat.

[AS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cuba 🇨🇺
I have been doing an international reading challenge the last few years, where each year I read at least one book that takes place in each continent. This year, I decided to try a poetry challenge and this is the book I chose from the Caribbean/North America 🙂

[hh · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Beth Shields-Szostak]

1st edition, signed & inscribed by editors