Recital of the Dark Verses

Name: Recital of the Dark Verses
Brand: Unknown
SKU: 9781646052790
Price: 34.99 NZD
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By Luis Felipe Fabre

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4.15

( 248 ratings, 62 reviews)

Summary

Recital of the Dark Verses by Luis Felipe Fabre is a captivating road novel and coming-of-age tale that blends raunchy slapstick comedy with historical fiction. Set in August 1592, the story follows a bailiff and his assistants as they secretly exhume the incorrupt body of Saint John of the Cross at the monastery of Beda. This discovery sparks a series of mythic adventures filled with vibrant, legendary characters. Fabre weaves the saint's mystical poetry into the narrative, inviting reflection on themes such as the sacred versus the profane, body and soul, and spiritual and carnal ecstasy.
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Format: Paperback / softback

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Recital of the Dark Verses

$34⁹⁹

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This novel will appeal to readers interested in historical fiction infused with humour and poetry, fans of literary and philosophical narratives, and those who appreciate a creative reinterpretation of religious and mystical themes. Ideal for adults who enjoy richly layered, thoughtful stories with a touch of absurdity.

Translation of: Declaraciâon de las canciones oscuras.

Description

A road novel, a coming-of-age tale, and a raunchy slapstick comedy that tells—in careening, charismatic prose—the (true) story of the theft of the body of Saint John of the Cross.

In August 1592, a bailiff and his two assistants arrive at the monastery of Beda, with the secret task of transferring the remains of Saint John of the Cross, the great Carmelite poet and mystic, to his final abode. When they exhume him, they find the saint's body as incorrupt and fresh as when he died.

Thus commences a series of adventures and misfortunes populated by characters that seem to be drawn from mythology. Luis Felipe Fabre masterfully incorporates Saint John's verses into his prose, as if the saint had prophesied the delirium that would surround his own posthumous transfer. This funny, highly entertaining novel manages to honour the mystical poetry of the Carmelite while inviting the reader to reflect on issues such as the sacred and the profane, the body and the soul, and spiritual (as well as carnal) ecstasy.

Recital of the Dark Verses captivates with its unique storytelling approach and profound thematic exploration.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Acclaimed by Valeria Luiselli as a "genre-bending novel full of humor and a blazing intelligence," Recital of the Dark Verses is praised for its originality and wit. Mark Haber likens it to a "hilarious road trip through provincial Spain," describing it as "absurd, philosophical, playful and episodic," with a style reminiscent of Cervantes. Daniel highlights the novel's "profound complexity" and eloquent language, emphasizing its emotional resonance and thematic depth that appeal to both poetry fans and general readers alike.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781646052790

Publisher: Deep Vellum Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 02 November 2023

Country: United States

Imprint: Deep Vellum Publishing

Illustration: Illustrations

Contributors:

Translated by Heather Cleary

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 228.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 200

Collections

Fiction General Fiction Historical Fiction Luis Felipe Fabre

About the Author

Luis Felipe Fabre is a poet and critic based in Mexico City. He has published six volumes of essays and poetry, and curated the Poesa en Voz Alta (Poetry out loud) Festival and Todos los originales sern destruidos (All originals will be destroyed), an exhibition of contemporary art by poets. He is a recipient of the Punto de partida and Jose Revueltas prizes, as well as grants National Fund for Culture and the 2 Arts; his works in English include Sor Juana and Other Monsters and Writing with Caca, both translated by JD Pluecker. Recital of the Dark Verses, for which he was awarded the prestigious Elena Poniatowska Prize, is his first novel.

Heather Cleary is an award-winning translator whose work with the poetry and prose of writers including Fernanda Tras, Brenda Lozano, Roque Larraquy, Sergio Chejfec, and Oliverio Girondo has been recognized by English PEN, the National Book Foundation, and the BTBA, among others. A member of the Cedilla & Co. translation collective, she has served as a judge for numerous national translation prizes. She teaches at Sarah Lawrence College and is the author of The Translator's Visibility: Scenes from Contemporary Latin American Fiction (Bloomsbury 2021).