Synopses & Reviews
By Now (Ormai)
By now the primrose and the warmth
at your feet and the green insight of the world
The uncovered carpets
the loggias shaken by wind and sun
tranquil worm of the thorny woods;
my distant pain, distinct thirst
like another life in the breast
Here all that's left is to wrap the landscape around the self
and turn your back.
Andrea Zanzotto is widely considered Italy’s most influential living poet. He has published more than twenty collections of poetry and prose, which cover a vast range of themes, from linguistics and nature to politics and science. A lifelong resident of the hilly farm country of the Veneto, he possesses a rare familiarity with place, and his writings frequently explore the ongoing tensions between nature and culture in his native village, the surrounding countryside, and the nearby remnants of ancient forests. The rare writer in Italy to straddle both historical and geographical boundaries, Zanzotto also speaks in a voice that acknowledges Italy’s dramatic transformation from an agrarian society to an industrialized nation.
The first comprehensive collection in thirty years to translate this master European poet for an English-speaking audience, The Selected Poetry and Prose of Andrea Zanzotto includes the very best poems from fourteen of Zanzotto’s major books of verse and a selection of thirteen essays that helps illuminate themes in his poetry as well as elucidate key theoretical underpinnings of his thought. Assembled with the collaboration of Zanzotto himself and featuring a critical introduction, thorough annotations, and a generous selection of photographs and art, The Selected Poetry and Prose of Andrea Zanzotto will be a major event for both American and Italian letters.
Review
and#8220;Andrea Zanzotto is one of the worldand#8217;s great nature poets, and this beautiful collection makes his poetry and prose amply available to English-speaking audiences for the first time. His work reveals the inextricable attachments between human experience and the physical world, attachments charged with extraordinary emotion.and#8221;
Review
and#8220;Zanzotto emphasizes the importance of place while simultaneously stressing that even the smallest corner of the world is beyond our ultimate understanding. In his poetry thereand#8217;s a line-by-line beauty and a fundamental humility that, when combined with his complex moral and philosophical vision, leave a reader with a stimulated and enriched heart and an agitated and excited mind.and#8221;
Review
"Zanzotto is one of those rare poets who's grown wilder as he's gotten older; the poems of his old age are as strange and wacky as ever. . . . For six decades now he has been producing his astonishing verse." Choice
Review
"Translations of [Zanzotto] have tended to be sporadic and difficult to come by. The University of Chicago Press has now produced lavish hardback anthologies...with generous portions, in English and Italian, of all of the manin collections of verse, plus (in English only) selections from their prose wiritings.... Zanzotto deserve[s] to be much better known outside Italy...the translations are always serviceable at at times of high quality." Federica Santini - Annali d'italianistica
Review
"This massive, handsomely designed, and copiously illustrated volume is the best possible introduction to [Zanzotto's] work, giving as it does an excellent impression of the scale of his acheivement....Zanzotto is a major voice in world poetry, one that urgently needs to be heard in the current political and social climate (not the least for his profound and consistent engagement with ecological themes). This splendid volume makes that possible." Peter Hainsworth - Times Literary Supplement
Review
and#8220;The range of Andrea Zanzottoand#8217;s poetic achievements is stupendousand#8212;including his subtle and sustained dialogue with the landscapes of his native Veneto, his discerning appropriation of themes from Virgil and Dante, and his integration into verse of etymology, dialect, and drawing. Yet, throughout these diverse modes of writing, the imagery always remains vividly arresting, the voice authentic and engaging. Just as Stephen Mitchelland#8217;s renderings of Rilke and David Hintonand#8217;s of Wang Wei have done so much to enhance interest in those artists, these translations by Patrick Barron and his colleagues will make Zanzotto indispensable to English-speaking lovers of poetry.and#8221;and#8212;John Elder, Middlebury College
Review
"Now, in The Selected Poetry and Prose of Andrea Zanzotto: A Bilingual Edition, American readers can get a just sense of [Zanzotto's ] true range and extraordinary originality. Mr. Barron has provided most of the translations, together with a perceptive introduction and a number of quite lovely illustrations (including several impish portraits of the poet himself), but he has also included translations by other hands, including the earlier versions byand#160;[Brian] Swann and [Ruth] Feldman."
Review
Outstanding Academic Title, 2007, from Choice Magazine The New York Sun
Review
“Given the importance of the chiseling of words operated by Zanzotto in all of his poetical works, the translations acquire utter importance, and they most often succeed
completely in rendering Zanzottos experimental wording in all of its muting and translucent opacity…. Showing an attention in the selection of Zanzottos works that goes beyond the desire to choose only the poets most representative texts and following, rather, a conceptual thread, Barron succeeds in giving us a volume in which the three ever-shifting elements that constitute the basis of Zanzottos poetry—landscape, language, and poetic subject—are showcased.”
Choice
Review
"This inviting volume represents the most complete anthology to date of Zanzotto's work in English translation, including an ample selection of poems . . . and thirteen prose pieces that present some of the central ideas underpinning the creative project of an author considered to be one of the most original voices operating in Italy today." Eric Ormsby - New York Sun
Synopsis
Andrea Zanzotto is widely considered Italyand#8217;s most influential living poet. The first comprehensive collection in thirty years to translate this master European poet for an English-speaking audience, The Selected Poetry and Prose of Andrea Zanzotto includes the very best poems from fourteen of his major books of verse and a selection of thirteen essays that helps illuminate themes in his poetry as well as elucidate key theoretical underpinnings of his thought. Assembled with the collaboration of Zanzotto himself and featuring a critical introduction, thorough annotations, and a generous selection of photographs and art, this volume brings an Italian master to vivid life for American readers.
and#8220;Now, in [this book], American readers can get a just sense ofand#160; [Zanzottoand#8217;s] true range and extraordinary originality.and#8221;and#8212;Eric Ormsby, New York Sun
and#8220;What I love here is the sense of a voice directly speaking. Throughout these translations, indeed from early to late, the great achievement seems to be the way they achieve a sense of urgent address.and#8221;and#8212;Eamon Grennan, American Poet
Synopsis
Andrea Zanzotto is widely considered Italys most influential living poet. The first comprehensive collection in thirty years to translate this master European poet for an English-speaking audience, The Selected Poetry and Prose of Andrea Zanzotto includes the very best poems from fourteen of his major books of verse and a selection of thirteen essays that helps illuminate themes in his poetry as well as elucidate key theoretical underpinnings of his thought. Assembled with the collaboration of Zanzotto himself and featuring a critical introduction, thorough annotations, and a generous selection of photographs and art, this volume brings an Italian master to vivid life for American readers.
“Now, in [this book], American readers can get a just sense of [Zanzottos] true range and extraordinary originality.”Eric Ormsby, New York Sun
“What I love here is the sense of a voice directly speaking. Throughout these translations, indeed from early to late, the great achievement seems to be the way they achieve a sense of urgent address.”Eamon Grennan, American Poet
About the Author
and#160;Patrick Barron is assistant professor of English at the University of Massachusettsand#8211;Boston. He is the recipient of a Fulbright Award, the Rome Prize, and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts for the translation of the poetry of Andrea Zanzotto.
Table of Contents
List of Illustrationsand#160;
Translatorand#8217;s Note and Acknowledgmentsand#160;
Introduction
and#160;
Selected Poetry
and#160;
da A che valse? Versi, 1938and#8211;1942 / from What was the point? Verse, 1938and#8211;1942 (1970)
and#8220;Nelland#8217;era della silenziosa paceand#8221; / and#8220;In the age of silent peaceand#8221;
and#8220;Nei giorni delle insonni primavereand#8221; / and#8220;In the days of sleepless springsand#8221;
and#8220;A questo ponteand#8221; and#160;/ and#8220;At this bridgeand#8221; and#160;
and#160;
da Dietro il paesaggio / Behind the Landscape (1951)
Indizi e Lunaand#160; / Indications and Moon and#160;
Quanto a lungoand#160; / How Long and#160;
Ormai / By Nowand#160;and#160;
Land#224; sovente nelland#8217;alba / There Often in the Dawnand#160;
Serica / Silky
Distanza / Distanceand#160;
Adunata / Gatheringand#160;
Nel mio paese / In My Landand#160;
Land#8217;acqua di Dolle / The Water of Dolleand#160;
Land#8217;amore infermo del giorno / The Infirm Love of Dayand#160;
Land#224; sul ponte / There on the Bridgeand#160;
Perchand#233; siamoand#160; / Because We Are and#160;
Dietro il paesaggioand#160; / Behind the Landscape
Nella valle / In the Valleyand#160;and#160;
da Elegia e altri versi / from Elegy and Other Poems (1954)
Partenza per il Vaud / Departure for Vaud
Da Ore calanti / From Waning Hours
and#160;
da Vocativo / from Vocative (1957)
Fiume alland#8217;alba / River at Dawnand#160;
Caso vocativo / Vocative Case
Colloquio / Colloquy
I paesaggi primi / The First Landscapes
Da unand#8217;altezza nuova / From a New Height and#160;and#160;
Esistere psichicamente / Existing Psychically
Impossibilitand#224; della parola / Impossibility of the Word
Prima del sole / Before the Sun
Dal cielo / From the Sky
and#160;
da IX Ecloghe / from IX Eclogues (1962)
Un libro di Ecloghe / A Book of Eclogues
Ecloga I / Eclogue I
Ecloga II / Eclogue II
Ecloga III / Eclogue III
Per la finestra nuova / Through the New Window
Ecloga IV / Eclogue IV
La quercia sradicata dal vento / The Oak Uprooted by the Wind
Cosand#236; siamo / Thatand#8217;s How We Are
Notificazione di presenza sui Colli Euganei / Notifying Oneand#8217;s Presence in the Euganean Hills
Epilogo: Appunti per unand#8217;Ecloga / Epilogue: Notes for an Eclogue
and#160;
da La Beltand#224; / from Beauty (1968)
La perfezione della neve / The Perfection of the Snow
Sand#236;, ancora la neve / Yes, the Snow Again
Alla stagione / To the Season
Da Possibili prefazi o riprese o conclusioni / From Possible Prefaces or Resumptions or Conclusions
Al mondo / To the World
Land#8217;elegia in petand#232;l / The Elegy in Petand#232;l
Da Profezie o memorie o giornali murali / From Prophecies or Memories or Bulletin Boards
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;
da Gli Squardi i Fatti e Senhal / from Glances, Facts and Senhals (1969)
From Glances, Facts and Senhals / Da Gli Squardi i Fatti e Senhaland#160;and#160;and#160;
and#160;
da Pasque / from Easters (1973)
Da Misteri della pedagogia / From Mysteries of Pedagogy
La Pace di Oliva / The Peace of Oliva
Subnarcosi / Subnarcosis
Per lumina, per limina / By Lights, by Limits
Lanternina cieca / Small Dark Lanternand#160;and#160;
Codicillo / Codicil /and#160;and#160;
( a ( e / ( a ( e
and#160;
da Filand#242;. Per il Casanova di Fellini / from Peasants Wake for Felliniand#8217;s Casanova (1976)
Da Peasants Wake / From Filand#242;and#160;
and#160;
da Il Galateo in Bosco / from The Woodland Book of Manners (1978)
and#8220;Dolcezza. Carezza. Piccoli schiaffi in quiete.and#8221; / and#8220;Sweetness. Dearness. Little muffled slaps.and#8221;
Gnessuland#243;go / Noplace
Diffrazioni, eritemiand#160; / Diffractions, Erythemas
(Certe forre circolari colme di piante . . .) / (Certain circular ravines brimming with plants . . .)
and#8220;Rivolgersi agli ossari. Non occorre biglietto.and#8221; / and#8220;Apply to the ossuaries. No ticket is needed.and#8221;
Stati maggiori contrapposti, loro piani / Conflicting Dominant States, Their Designs and#8220;Tentando e poi tagliuzzando a fetteand#8221; / and#8220;Touching and then chopping into slicesand#8221;
(Indizi di guerre civili) / (Indications of Civil Wars)
(Sono gli stessi) / (Theyand#8217;re the same)
From Da Ipersonetto / Hypersonnet
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; I and#8211; I and#8211; (Sonetto di grifi ife e fili) / (Sonnet of snouts hyphae and filaments)
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; III and#8211; III and#8211; (Sonetto di stragi e di belle maniere) / (Sonnet ofmassacres and and#160;good manners) /
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; IV and#8211; IV and#8211; (Sonetto del decremento e delland#8217;alimento) / (Sonnet of decrement and and#160;nourishment)
(Che sotto land#8217;alta guida) / (That under the noble guidance)
( )and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; ) (and#160; / ( )and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; ) (and#160;
) (and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; ( ) / ) (and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; ( )and#160;
(Lattiginoso) / (Milky)
and#160;
da Fosfeni / from Phospenes (1983)
Come ultime cene / Like Last Suppersand#160; and#160;
and#8220;Amori impossibili comeand#8221; / and#8220;Loves impossible asand#8221;
Da Silicio, carbonio, castellieri / From Silicon, Carbon, Fortified Villagesand#160;
Squadrare il foglio / Squaring the sheet
(Da Ghand#232;ne) / (At Ghand#232;neand#8217;s) and#160;
and#8220;Ben disposti silenziand#8221; / and#8220;Well disposed silencesand#8221;
Da Periscopi /and#160; From Periscopes and#160;
Soprammobili e gel / Trinkets and Gel
(Anticicloni, inverni) / (Anticyclones, Winters) and#160;
Vocabilitand#224;, fotoni/ Vocability, photons and#160;
Da Tavoli, giornali, alba pratalia / From Tables, Newspapers, Snow-Covered Fields
Futuri sempliciand#8212;o anteriori? / Futuresand#8212;Simple or Anterior?
and#160;
da Idioma / From Idiom (1986)
Genti / Peoples
Sfere / Spheres and#160;
Orizzonti / Horizons
and#8220;Pericoloseand#8212;un giornoand#8212;bellezzeand#8221; / and#8220;Dangerousand#8212;onceand#8212;splendorsand#8221;
Nino negli anni Ottanta / Nino in the Eighties
Da Andar a cucire / From Going Out to Sew and#160;
Par i otanta ani de Montale / Fioand#160; Montale on His Eightieth Birthday
In ricordo de Pasolini / In Memory of Pasolini
Da Mistierand#242;i / From Small and Humble Occupations
Alto, altro linguaggio, fuori idioma? / High, Other Language, Beyond Idiom?
and#8220;Il cielo and#232; limpido sino adand#8221; / and#8220;The sky is transparent untiland#8221;
Docile, riluttanteand#160; / Docile, reluctant
and#160;
da Meteo / From Meteo (1996)
Live / Liveand#160;
Morand#232;r Sachand#232;r / Morand#232;r Sachand#232;r and#160;
Lanugini / Lanugosand#160;
and#8220;Non si sa quanto verdeand#8221; / and#8220;There is no telling how much greenand#8221;
Leggende / Leggends and#160;
Stagione delle pioggeand#160; / Season of the Rains
Tu sai che and#160;/ You know that
Altri papaveriand#160; / Other Poppies
Currunt / Curruntand#160;
Colle, ala and#160;/ Hill, wing
and#8220;E ti protendi come silenzioand#8221; / and#8220;And you lean out like silenceand#8221;
Topinamband#249;r / Topinamband#249;rand#160;
Altri topinamband#249;rand#160; / Other