"Neruda's lyricism wakes us up, even in the face of death, to the connections we have with our land, inner and outer."--Los Angeles Times Book Review The first authorized English translation of Aun, considered among Neruda's finest long poems. More aware than ever of his imminent death, these 28 cantos--written during two intensely lyrical days--launch the poet on a personal expedition in search of his deepest roots. It is a soaring tribute to the Chilean people, their history and survival that invokes the Araucanian Indians, the conquistadors who tried to enslave them, folklore, the people and places of his childhood and the sights and smells of the marketplace. As in the best poetry, Neruda's particulars become profoundly universal. With an introduction by William O'Daly.

Author Biography

Pablo Neruda (1904-1973)held diplomatic posts in Asian and European countries. After joining the Communist Party, Neruda was elected to the Chilean Senate but was forced to live in exile in Mexico for several years. Eventually he established a permanent home on Isla Negra. In 1970 he was appointed as Chile's ambassador to France; in 1971 he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. William O'Daly has translated six books of Pablo Neruda's late and posthumous work, including the best-selling Book of Questions. His work as a translator has been featured on The Today Show.