In the forceful, staggering poetry of César Vallejo, poet and
photographer Gerard Malanga discovered a kindred spirit. Driven by a
deep sense of spiritual kinship and with the encouragement of Vallejo's
widow, Malanga's translations reveal a profound perspective on Vallejo's
work that brings into focus the brutal desperation behind his genius.
Malanga Chasing Vallejo gathers 82 of Vallejo's poems in a bilingual
edition that is marked by the spiritual connection between poet and
translator. A work of the heart, these poems are presented from the
position of a fellow member of the underclass, providing a street-level
entry point for readers who can relate to the hunger feeding every verse
and the ache of loneliness that no amount of modern technology can
obscure. In addition to the poems, Malanga's heartfelt introduction
describes the process of his 45-year commitment to this project. The
book also includes a poem about Vallejo by Malanga, rare photos of
Vallejo, and transcriptions of several never-before-published letters to
Malanga from Vallejo's widow, Georgette de Vallejo, which guided his
translation efforts.