Eagle or Sun?: Poems

by Octavio Paz

Book Overview

The first major book of short prose poetry in Spanish, Eagle or Sun? (Aguila o Sol?) exerted an enormous influence on modern Latin American writing. Written in 1949-50 by Nobel Laureate Octavio Paz, Eagle or Sun? has as its mythopoeic "place" Mexico--a country caught up in its pre-Columbian past, the world of modern imperialism, and an apocalyptic future foretold by the Aztec calendar. Indeed, three personae of the book--the goddess Itzapaplotl, the...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0811206238
• ISBN13: 9780811206235
• Release Date: January 1976
• Publisher: New Directions Publishing Corporation
• Length: 132 Pages
• Weight: 0.34 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.0" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

An innovative and challenging work of art

"Eagle or Sun?" is a collection of prose poems by the great Mexican poet Octavio Paz. Several of the short pieces represent a sort of hybrid form between the poem and the essay; others seem to represent a melding of the poem and the short story. Although Paz can be obscure, and even somewhat indulgent, at times, "Eagle or Sun?" is marked by flashes of brilliance which make it an important piece of 20th century literature.Some of the book's highlights included section X of "The Poet's Works," a nightmarish vision of language gone awry; "The Blue Bouquet," which is undoubtedly one of the greatest horror stories ever written in any language; and "My Life with the Wave," a surreal fantasy story that is rich in irony. "Eagle or Sun?" may not be easy reading, but it is a rewarding and memorable work from one of Mexico's most important writers.

Past Present and Future Mexico

A superb collection of early writings from 1949-50, Paz explores Mexico from three fronts, past, present and future. Influenced by Surrealists his prose is vivid and colorful as he explores the relationship between language and poet, reality and language and his vision of the past. His exploration of the apocalytic future, as foretold by the Aztec calendar stone is haunting. The world lost a great poet but his works live on for future generations.

One of the best books of Spanish poetry I have ever read

Best poetry and a good translation. As "A Draft of Shadows" (translated by Weinberger also), it worths the reading. These books both are the best Paz's poetry... light on the other side... beating.