Synopses & Reviews
Published in celebration of the poet's 100th birthday, this exciting new edition of the poems of the Nazim Hikmet (1902-1963) collects work from his four previous selected volumes all from Persea, all now out of print and adds more than 20 poems never before available in English. The Blasing/Konuk translations, acclaimed for the past quarter-century for their accuracy and grace, convey Hikmet's compassionate, accessible voice with the subtle music, innovative form, and emotional directness of the originals.
Nazim Hikmet is considered Turkey's greatest modern poet. For his Communist views, he was imprisoned in Turkey and his work was banned. His poetry has been translated into more than 50 languages, and he won the World Peace Prize (the USSR's equivalent of the Nobel) in 1950.
Review
"An excellent translation of one of the 20th century's finest poets. A communist, Hikmet survived multiple attempts on his life and spent the majority of his adulthood in prison for inciting a rebellion with his poetry before Sartre and Picasso petitioned for his release. His poetry, long banned in his native country, is highly political but also focuses on the simpler necessities of hope, freedom, food, and the love of various wives." Tin House magazine
Synopsis
The definitive selection by the first and foremost modern Turkish poet.
Synopsis
A centennial volume, with previously unavailable poems, by Turkey's greatest poet. Published in celebration of the poet's one hundredth birthday, this exciting new edition of the poems of the Nazim Hikmet (1902-1963) collects work from his four previous selected volumesall from Persea, all now out of printand adds more than twenty poems never before available in English. The Blasing/Konuk translations, acclaimed for the past quarter-century for their accuracy and grace, convey Hikmet's compassionate, accessible voice with the subtle music, innovative form, and emotional directness of the originals.
Synopsis
Brilliantly conceived and executed, witty and passionate, and inspiring in a sense not found in most modern poems.These translations are so colloquial, one forgets one isn't reading the originals.One of the great poetic voices of all time.A potent testament to the Turkish poet's genius.
About the Author
Turkish poet, playwright and novelist who is acclaimed as the first modern Turkish poet and one of the greatest international poets of the twentieth century. Often called a "romantic Communist" or "romantic revolutionary," he was repeatedly arrested for his political beliefs, spending much of his adult life in prison or exile. His poetry has been translated into over 50 languages.