A History of Ecology and Environmentalism in Spanish American Literature [Paperback]

[R]eaders will find that DeVries possesses a thorough understanding of ecological criticism and environmentalism, exemplified by the book's introduction, where he establishes the theoretical framework for his study. For the benefit of those readers who do not have advanced proficiency in reading Spanish he provides an English translation of all Spanish quotations, including definitions of commonly employed Spanish American cultural and literary terminology. Readers who are unacquainted with Spanish American literature, beyond internationally known giants such as Gabriel Garc?a M?rquez, Mario Vargas Llosa, or Pablo Neruda, will appreciate the sweeping scope of the author's work. DeVries has managed to deal in a cohesive fashion with a two-hundred year periodthe post-independence literary production of the nineteen countries of the western hemisphere in which Spanish is an official languageunfolding 'the tradition of an ecological literature from Mexico to Patagonia and from Puerto Rico to Easter Island'. Those who are already familiar with Spanish American literature will value his insights into ecocriticism as well as his examination of the canon from a fresh perspective. As is the case with most groundbreaking studies, DeVries's work suggests myriad possibilities for future scholarship.This book traces the development of ecology and environmentalism in Spanish American literature. It provides a historical and literary context for the recent and expanding interest in reading, analyzing and especially teaching Latin Americas environmental literature.A History of Ecology and Environmentalism in Spanish American Literature undertakes a comprehensive ecocritical examination of the regions literature from the foundational texts of the nineteenth century to the most recent fiction. The book begins with a consideration of the way in which Argentine Domingo Faustino Sarmientos views of nature through the lens of the categories of civilization and barbarity from Facl3