Ah, Neruda. We've been acquainted for years, but this is the first collection of his poetry I've read through. This was the bi-lingual edition, so I was able to marvel at the original as well as the translated work.
As anyone on the east coast of the United States knows this summer, rain has not been in short supply. This turned Late and Posthumous Poems into my rainy day book. In times that the world was pouring all over, I'd grab this book, light some candles, open my windows and snuggle into a chair and read. I highly recommend this tactic, by the way. I feel like it was a natural venue to explore Neruda in.
Another treat in this book is that it was borrowed. Early on, I noticed a few dog-eared pages and marks, so I asked if I could make some, too. I think it's always interesting to look at other people's notes or favorite passages and contemplate what they felt. As such, I took my time reading the poetry, digesting it, and letting it fill my insides. (& if the person I borrowed it from ever reads this, look on page 193)
There are selections in here from a few books Neruda had published, and a few books that I need to get. Neruda was gifted in his passion, and he understood. He understood his place, though lamenting it at times; understood his world, understood people, nature... it's all in his poetry.
He is easy to read and easy to connect with. No matter what your experience or relationship is with poetry as a whole, you should read Neruda anyway. 5 stars.
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