Sketches of Spain: Impressions and Landscapes

Sketches of Spain: Impressions and Landscapes by Federico Garcia Lorca. paperback edition. ISBN: 9781897959626.

Federico Garcia Lorcas first book, published when he was just nineteen, is a series of meditations on Spanish art, landscapes and history. Brimming with passion and excitement, the young writer travels in search of Spains essential spirit; sunsets in Granada, the Gothic magnificence of Burgos Cathedral, "the savage splendour" of Castiles mountains and plains. While Lorca celebrated Spanish culture- romantic gardens, agonised crucifixes, Gregorian plainchant and "the bite of flamenco" - he was also fearlessly critical when, for example, the harshness of celibacy of monks lived or poverty and injustice aroused his rage. Serifs new edition of this formative work by one of the twentieth centurys greatest writers is embellished by Julian Bells evocative illustrations,which take the reader straight to the heart of Lorcas Spain. With its rich, poetic prose, Sketches of Spain is a missing piece in the jigsaw puzzle of a creative life cut tragically short by the authors assassination at the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War.