abonavita16's review
5.0
I think this poem collected above all else shows the potential that Cuban and Latin American writers had in the late 1800s, before subjected to the various wars and revolutions there afterwards. I would definitely like to read it once again, I do not think I read poetry correctly, and did not truly embody the love, passion, and the environment Marti plants you in. Regardless, his writing style is beautiful, and definitely makes you think after every poem no matter the length. What is better than a poet living in a quiet area thinking about their great writing? A Cuban poet in Upstate New York doing that very act.
lorheim99's review
3.0
This book would probably have been more enjoyable for me if I didn't only read a section of it in Spanish class.
audreylee's review against another edition
inspiring
slow-paced
3.0
I think some of the poems would have been more meaningful with some context.
lindsayb's review against another edition
3.0
I have to say I had a little bit of a hard time with this. I particularly liked Martí's poetry that discussed his experiences with the fight for independence, but I felt like a lot was lost in translation. I don't read rhymed, metered poetry very well--I get hung up on the flow and rhythm, especially when it isn't right, and there were lots of inconsistencies in the English. I give translator Anne Fountain credit for the hard work--I know it's a mighty task; I'll just have to try the Spanish when I learn it one day. :)