The poetic fiction of José Lezama Lima

José Lezama Lima's unique writing style challenges traditional literary forms. Throughout his career, he worked to break down the boundaries between poetry and fiction. Although he is best known for his novel Paradiso, which was first published in 1966, his early experimentation took a predominantly poetic form. In fact, he always considered himself primarily a poet. This Cuban writer has been highly praised by Latin American literary critics as well as by fellow Latin American writers. Emir Rodriquez Monegal said of him: ' 'Today, in Latin America and the Western world, the work of Lezama Lima has been recognized as one of the decisive of this century, and because of its quality and importance, his name is now associated with that of Borges and Octavio Paz." Lezama Lima also has an international reputation in Spanish literary circles, but his work is still not widely known outside the Spanish world, despite the existence of translations of many of his works. This critical study is the first of its scope to be published in the English language. In addition, it provides new insight into this body of literature for those already familiar with his work. Drawing on several contemporary critical methodologies without getting locked into any one particular approach, Souza examines Lezama Lima's work as a whole, as well as specific poems and both of his novels, particularly Paradiso.