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Nórdica Libros

New York Notebook (Illustrated)

New York Notebook (Illustrated)

Our review

When José Hierro published this work in the late 90s, Spanish literature stood up and took notice. And for good reason: an elderly, wise, and wounded poet dialogued one-on-one with the most modern city in the world.

What Nórdica does in this edition is elevate that experience. The illustrations by Adolfo Serra don't just accompany; they interpret the pain, the music (Bach always plays in the background of these verses), and that feeling of solitude among the crowd. Serra uses smudges, shadows, and empty spaces that perfectly fit Hierro's voice.

It's a book about the passage of time, about who we were and who we are no longer. It's heartbreaking, yes, but of a beauty that cleanses you from within. If you like poetry, this is one of those volumes you must have on your shelf to return to when life gets tough.

🏆 PRINCESA DE ASTURIAS AWARD (1981) and MIGUEL DE CERVANTES AWARD (1999)

Book details

Synopsis

"The reasons why a book of poetry achieves dazzling success are strange. In the case of Cuaderno de Nueva York, this circumstance is a source of joy because, in addition to its own merits, José Hierro's last organic book has the special virtue of constituting an aleph of his entire poetic work." — Vicente Luis Mora.

This collection of poems is a physical and emotional journey. José Hierro walks the avenues of Manhattan, but in reality, he is traversing his own memory. Amidst the traffic and skyscrapers, the poet finds music, art, and, above all, reflection on existence.

"After all, everything has been nothing, although one day it was everything. After nothing, or after everything,I knew that everything was nothing more than nothing. [...] What does it matter that nothing was nothing if there will be more nothing, after all, after so much everything for nothing."

About the author

José Hierro (Madrid, 1922-2002), though adopted by Cantabria, is one of the fundamental voices of post-war poetry. His work, always human and testimonial, culminated with this Cuaderno, which earned him the National Prize for Literature, the Critics' Prize, and the Aristeion European Literature Prize.

About the illustrator

Adolfo Serra (Teruel, 1980) is one of the most recognized illustrators on the current scene. His poetic style, which plays with concept, silence, and visual metaphor, has earned him numerous international awards.

Technical details

  • Author: José Hierro

  • Illustrator: Adolfo Serra

  • Publisher: Nórdica Libros

  • Binding: Hardcover

  • Pages: 156

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