Ariel

by José Enrique Rodó, F.J. Stimson, Frederic Stimson

Book Overview

"Irritating, insufferable, admirable, stimulating, disappointing Rod . . . you are part of our family quarrels, and must bear with your disrespectful, equally disappointed, intuitive, incomplete nephews, living in a world that you helped define for us, and offered unto our revolt." --from the Prologue by Carlos Fuentes

First published in 1900 Uruguay, Ariel is Latin America's most famous essay on esthetic and philosophical sensibility,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0292703961
• ISBN13: 9780292703964
• Release Date: February 1988
• Publisher: University of Texas Press
• Length: 156 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.6" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

The reason to understand latin america failure in XX century

In recent years, several papers (e.g. Sebastian Edwards, John Elliot, etc.) consider this book as the main ideology that drove latin america to a direct economic and political failure for the XX century. Every person that wants to understand latin american modern history, must read this book. Of course the thoughts of Rodo are not anymore viable for any modern country (just for Venezuela, Cuba or Bolivia still).

Very insightful

First published in 1900 Uruguay, This book contains wonderful insights about the esthetic and philosophical sensibility, In a subtle manner, the conflicts between Ariel, the lover of beauty and truth, and Caliban, the evil spirit of materialism and positivism, reflect the cultural differences between Latin America and the United States. Furthermore, Ariel contains a guide to names, places,important movements and a comprehensive annotated English/Spanish bibliography. Very insightful!

Una lectura de reflexion

Rodo describe en este ensayo su concepcion de America Latina y de los Estados Unidos. Es una America Latina que posa su esperanza en su juventud, a quien aconseja desprenderse de un materialismo utilitario y apreciar los valores humanitarios del ser humano. Si bien Rodo no apoya el espiritu intervencionista de los americanos, si les reconoce en este ensayo su espiritu de libertad, capacidad para autogobernarse efectivamente bajo un regimen federalista, y por su capacidad creadpra en todas las areas tales como la investigacion y ciencias, la cultura, educacion y deportes.

tremendo trabajo, aun vigente

Si de modernismo, liberalismo y jacobinismo se trata... aqui tiene un trabajo que fuera cumbre entre los ensayos latinoamericanos en los albores del siglo XX. Advertencia preliminar: No nos engañemos, Ariel no es una obra fácil de leer, ni una novela para pasar un rato ameno, no obstante, valdrá la pena si se está dispuesto a invertir el tiempo y esfuerzo intelectual que demanda. Si lo que usted busca es leer algo por mero entretenimiento, seguramente hará mejor en buscar cualquiera de los tantos otros buenos trabajos de la literatura hispana, que satisfacen dicho fin, pero no este. Rodó, llama a la juventud latinoamericana a rechazar el materialismo, y regresar a los ideales greco-romanos de mejoramiento propio, el libre pensamiento y el desarrollo de la cultura. Rodó es considerado por mucho como el teórico del modernismo -liderado por Rubén Darío. Leer "Ariel" es interiorizarse con un ensayo que ha estado vigente por mas de un siglo entre los pueblos hispanos; ya sea que usted acuerde o no con los ideales del autor, esta lectura podria contribuir a incrementar nuestro acervo cultural y literario...

This book makes you think about American values and culture.

This is a very insightful book today as much as it was when it was first published in the late 19th century. It really is a work of art as much as a statement of our image to others. Everyone should have to read this book as they question the reality that sculpted their identity. The only thing that is missing is more information on Latin American values and shortcomings.