Azul... (1888) is a book of stories and poems by Rubén Darío. Written
while the poet was living in Chile, Azul... has been recognized as a
pioneering work of Hispanic Modernism that launched the career of a
leading Latin American poet. Both experimental and traditional, Azul...
blends Darío's concern over the sustainability of modern life with his
abiding interest in the myths and magic of ancient cultures.
Infused with classical symbolism, inspired by the myth and philosophy of
Ancient Greece, Rubén Darío's Azul... bridges the gap between ancient
and modern. Rather than focus on the differences between the two, he
envisions the past as a living entity, allowing history and fantasy to
coincide with the social realities of his time. In these poems and
stories, fairies from the plays of Shakespeare appear alongside the
working men and women of Latin America. Dreams coincide with a reality
mired in poverty, labor, and passionless social climbing. Poets and port
workers sing and die in a city of ghostly beauty. Azul... is less a
book than it is an experience, and nearly a century and a half after its
publication it remains one worth the taking.
With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript,
this edition of Rubén Darío's Azul... is a classic of Nicaraguan
literature reimagined for modern readers.