CartografiÁs Literarias Del Exilio: Tres PoÉticas Hispanoamericanas

“Along with the reshaping of territories, and socio-economic and cultural dimensions which took place on a worldwide scale, the last few decades have also witnessed a reshaping of the spectrum and voices of Latin-American writers that create, revisit and suffer the complex and multifaceted phenomenon of exile. The displaced subject, or rather, the voices of the displaced, the marginalized and the excluded rise up from a fringe that, for various reasons or motives, will always represent a place that lies beyond the borders - imaginary or real- of the spatial, political, cultural, linguistic and sexual communities to which they subscribe. And, these voices, regardless of the grouping to which they belong and the choices on which they base the necessity or purpose of their expressive survival, map out a work that, while being personal in its origins, speaks to a more general context. The work before us is not only the work of an exile, but it is also a work of exile and about exile, provided that we draw a distinction between these two facets (to the extent that it is possible) by having regard to thematic nuances and gradations that give substance to the journeys that mould diatopic variations in the discourses of the uprooted … The work presented here by Jose Ismael Gutierrez shares a similar concern, namely the need for research, which for some time has been enriching the Latin-American literary bibliography in these parts, as never before. However, careful consideration reveals that this study is linked to one of the essential discursive categories of the literary phenomenon in the history of our literature, namely territorial displacement as a system, involuntary displacement and the stigma of exclusion. The author possesses an ample theoretical and historic background for his research of some of the many figures that serve as conduits for the writings of exiles on Latin- American soil … Apart from the work's valuable introductory chapter, the choice of authors to which Professor Gutierrez devotes the following three sections -the Cuban authors, Reinaldo Arenas and Manuel Diaz Martinez, as well as the Uruguayan author, Fernando Ainsa- and the unusual manner in which their respective contributions are presented -each one from certain historic-cultural coordinates and from an own interpretative angle- extend a forceful and novel invitation to the reader, whose intelligence and aesthetic sensibilities will engaged while being guided, page after page, along the various experiences of certain concrete, real-life exiles, whose experiences are physical, external and geographical, while at the same time being internal and spiritual. These exiles open up brilliant areas of discussion, which the critical lucidity of the researcher once again transforms into an essential and penetrating lesson on the most complex dimensions of contemporary and earlier Latin-American literature.” – (from the Commendatory Preface) Professor Raul Ianes, Miami University Oxford, Ohio

“In relation to the work of Prof. Ismael Gutierrez, of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, I find that it is a thorough research project related to a subject, exile, which has particularly affected 20th century Latin American authors such as those studied, Reinaldo Arenas, F emando Ainsa and Manuel Diaz Martinez. The research is based on a theoretical framework which is analysed in the "Escritura, identidad y exilio / Writing, Identity and Exile" section, in which he provides an in-depth analysis of the causes and effects of the experience from different perspectives: sociological, political, psychological and cultural. This is followed by a chapter defining the context of the life and literary production of these authors, an essential aspect in a case like this in relation to their creative possibilities. I find that not only does the author draft his text attractively and with interest and refers to a pertinent and up-to-date bibliography, but also that he reveals that he is perfectly familiar with the general subject, relating the work of these three writers with others who, in America and Europe, have suffered similar circumstances for historic, political or cultural reasons. If we focus on the chapters on the three authors contemplated in the book, besides the fact that they refer to writers who have been the subject of limited critical studies, as is the case of Uruguayan author Fernando Ainsa and Manuel Diaz Martinez from Cuba, in relation to whom he performs an important analysis, of crucial importance is the chapter on Reinaldo Arenas, a writer whose life and work, due to his particular circumstances, suffered an even greater burden from exile. I am aware that Prof. Gutierrez has studied the Cuban author in great depth in recent years. Ultimately, I believe that this work increases our knowledge of the issue of exile, which has played a fundamental role in defining literary work and styles. It also increases the knowledge and progress of literary studies, and I am therefore in favour of it being published by The Edwin Mellen Press.” – Carmen Ruiz Barrionuevo, Professor of Latin American Literature, University of Salamanca, Spain

“This work contemplates a field of research -the trauma of exile -which has constantly fed and significantly determined the cultural and artistic production of Latin American authors, from the colonial period to the present day. It contains an in-depth analysis of the causes and effects of the exile experience from different perspectives: sociological, political, psychological, cultural. This introductory chapter is of vital importance to define the context of the life and literary production of the writers considered in the rest of the book: Reinaldo Arenas, Fernando Ainsa and Manuel Diaz Martinez. The author shows that he is very familiar with the issue by relating the work of these three writers with other Latin American and European personalities, delving into their specific circumstances with numerous references to historic or cultural phenomena above and beyond personal or national frameworks. The proposals contained in the text are attractive and it is read with interest. Particularly comprehensive is the chapter on Arenas, sketching some of the strengths generated by exile, a cornerstone in his writing. Also original are the critical approaches to the thinking of Fernando Ainsa and the poetry or memoirs of Manuel Diaz Martinez, two authors whose work has been studied but little. Besides increasing our knowledge of these three writers, the book also includes a series of elements which are essential if we are to understand, in universal terms, the significance of the exile experience for creation in general and literature in particular. Finally, the bibliography consulted by Dr Jose Ismael Gutierrez is sufficiently ample and varied and it has been assimilated and verified by the author. My assessment of the manuscript is therefore very positive, and I recommend that it be published by The Edwin Mellen Press.” – Petra-Iraides Cruz Leal, Professor of Latin American Literature, Universidad de La Laguna, Spain

Prefacio
Preface
Agradecimientos
I. EXILIO, ESCRITURA E IDENTIDAD
II. REINALDO ARENAS DENTRO Y FUERA DEL INFIERNO
III. DE VIAJE CON FERNANDO AINSA
IV. MANUEL DiAZ MARTINEZ 0 EL RESISTENTE TEJIDO DE LA MEMORIA
Bibliografia
Indice onomastico