A poetic anthology by Marly de Oliveira, a poet highly regarded by critics and the public during her lifetime, returns with a new edition from Editora Record. Edited by João Cabral de Melo Neto, the compilation brings together the author's major works, published between 1957 and 1990, and allows the reader to rediscover Marly's unique perspective on the world and the human experience.
Originally published in 1998, Antologia poética is the eighteenth book by Marly de Oliveira, one of the great poets of the 20th century, winner of important national and international literary prizes. Described by Clarice Lispector as "one of the greatest exponents of our current generation of poets, which is rich in poetry," Marly made her literary debut at the age of 23 with the book Cerco da primavera (1957), quickly gaining critical acclaim.
Organized by the poet João Cabral de Melo Neto, whom she married in the 1980s, this anthology brings together fifteen of the author's books, published between 1957 and 1990, as well as including previously unpublished poems. Among the notable works are *Siege of Spring* (1957), which earned her the Alphonsus de Guimaraens Prize (INL); *Explanation of Narcissus * (1960); * The Gentle Panther* (1962), winner of the Olavo Bilac Prize (ABL); * Invocation of Orpheus * (1979-1980), which won the Cultural Foundation of the Federal District and the International Greece Prizes; *Portrait * (1986) , *Vertigo * (1986), and *Journey to Portugal * (1986), which received the UBE (Brazilian Writers' Union) Prize; and *The Banquet * (1988), which won the Pen Club of Brazil Prize.
The works in this poetry anthology are marked by the objectivity and materiality of language, characteristics intrinsic to Marly de Oliveira's poetry. As João Cabral de Melo Neto stated in the book's preface, the writer is capable of "constructing both long and short poems, always maintaining a high intellectual level." Her preference for concrete words and images to describe everyday life and her own feelings impressed the poet, who considered her books "a unique example of coherence, with the passion of the Portuguese language."
In Antologia Poética , the reader will also see a writer who used poetry as an act of resistance to the cruelty of the world and as a way to practice self-knowledge. As Marly aptly put it, "my great hope lies in the conviction that thought can also be a form of action."
Through this major release, Marly de Oliveira returns to the radar of poetry lovers and to her well-deserved place of prominence in Brazilian literature.
"I myself don't know how I managed to overcome Marly de Oliveira's modesty about appearing in public. And perhaps not everyone knows who she is. I will introduce her with great joy: she is one of the greatest exponents of our current generation of poets, which is rich in poetry." – Clarice Lispector
“The poetic adventure, here, reaches a state unique in Brazil and perhaps in the Portuguese language: a sound flow of complete but unmanifest mastery of phonetic supports; a craftsmanship of fixed forms that is imbued with the most accurate knowledge of the past; a theme that leads, at the same time, to the sixteenth century and before, and to tomorrows and after, perpetuating itself.” – Antônio Houaiss
“The excellence of Marly de Oliveira's poetry begins with the masterful use of language, the rigor and purity with which the author uses the language, which immediately places her among the great artisans of poetic language.” – Ivan Junqueira
“One of the clearest voices in contemporary Brazilian poetry.” – Mário Chamie
“Each poem is described with verbal precision and surprising rhythm; and sometimes a verse gives us the impact of beauty, the one whose resonances stay with us perhaps forever.” – Walmir Ayala
