Literary Criticism : Caribbean & Latin American

In this timely book, Román de la Campa asks to what degree the Latin America studied in U.S. academies is actually an entity “made in the U.S.A.” He argues that there is an ever-increasing gap between the political, theoretical, and financial pressures affecting the U.S. academy and Latin America’s own cultural, political, and literary practices, and considers what this new Latin Americanism has to say about the claims of poststructuralism, postmodern theory, and deconstruction. more...

Price: $67.50

Novelist, scholar, journalist, statesman, and leading member of Chile's "Generation of 1842"--an intellectual movement so named for the founding of the National University--Jose Victorino Lastarria (1811-1888) lived his life at the forefront of nineteenth-century Chilean and Spanish American culture, literature, and politics. Recuerdos Literarios (or Literary Memoirs) is his masterpiece, encompassing the candid memories of a tireless activist, both the creative and critical sensibilities of an influential Latin American early modernist, and an eyewitness account of the development of Chilean literature and historiography. An ardent, eloquent participant in every defining artistic and ideological debate in Chile during the formative mid-1800s, Lastarria recorded his epoch as closely as he did his own origins, education, ambitions, and career. Sometimes reminiscent of Montaigne's essays, Eca de Quieroz's journalism, or Barbusse's didactic convictions, Literary Memoirs is an engrossing account of Chile's newly ordained nationhood. This addition to Oxford's prestigious Library of Latin America series is more than a retelling of things past; it is an informed yet informal testament to the idea of chilenidad (or "Chileanness") and a detailed portrait of one of Chile's cultural architects. For this new edition of Literary Memoirs, Frederick M. Nunn's introduction presents an informative historical background and R. Kelly Washbourne's translation carefully preserves Lastarria's form and content. more...

Price: $22.45

David Frye’s abridgment of his 2003 translation of The Mangy Parrot captures all of the narrative drive, literary innovation, and biting social commentary that established Lizardi’s comic masterpiece as the Don Quixote of Latin America. more...

Price: $12.95

Dealing with the ongoing interaction of rich and diverse cultural traditions from Cuba and Jamaica to Guyana and Surinam, Nation Dance addresses some of the major contemporary issues in the study of Caribbean religion and identity. The book's three sections move from a focus on spirituality and healing, to theology in social and political context, and on to questions of identity and diaspora. more...

Price: $15.95

Since 1996, the biennial Pura Belpré Awards have celebrated Latino culture, writers, and illustrators. Librarians seeking great books for children and young people, while serving the growing needs of a young Hispanic population, will find the best among these award-winners. The Pura Belpré Awards are named in honor of the New York Public Library’s 1920s children’s librarian, storyteller, puppeteer, and folklorist, Puerto-Rican born Pura Theresa Belpré. A brief history explains the significance of Pura Belpré, her work, and the partnership that launched this honor for Latino children’s literature. In this inaugural reference covering the first ten years of the Pura Belpré Awards, editor Rose Zertuche Treviño, in conjunction with ALSC and REFORMA, shares the celebration with all librarians who love great kids’ books and cultural diversity. Showcasing Hispanic cultural experiences in outstanding works of children’s literature, this authoritative guide:. Supports collection development. Annotates award-winning works. Highlights Latino/a authors and illustrators with biographies of winners. Shares the best illustrations in a special color sectionProgram ideas, activities, and book talks enhance the presentation of these award-winning works. Every librarian who values children’s literature will embrace these new award-winners, set to join the pantheon next to Caldecott and Newbery Award winners! more...

Price: $35.00