Federico García Lorca

Endorsements

“Traditional readings of the theatre of Federico García Lorca have tended to analyse the play-text in isolation. In this stimulating book, María Delgado elegantly demonstrates the desirability of moving away from such a conventional approach. Her focus, excitingly, is on Lorca as cultural site for the projection of a variety of national and global obsessions and preoccupations. Moving fluidly between play-text and a variety of ‘performatives’, Delgado explores how the circumstances of Lorca's death, his framing as an ‘Andalusian poet’, the shaping of reception of his work by censorship or personal visions as well as the way he has been pressed into service for a variety of ideological and political concerns, have all had a bearing on our reading of his works. Delgado interrogates myth and metaphor, hearsay and hyperbole. She shows how an understanding of Lorca's work is inseparable from an awareness of the extension of his image into tourism, local and national politics, literary prejudice and cultural branding. The book contains an excellent overview of the major scholarship on Lorca to date, but it also extends into exciting new terrain, pushing the boundaries of Lorca studies. The writing leaps from the page (the book is written in an accessible, readable style), whilst the content is exhilarating, vibrant and bold. Federico García Lorca is an important book which needed to be written. It will undoubtedly change the landscape of Lorca studies, indispensable to scholars and students alike.” (Dr Sarah Wright, author of The Trickster-Function in the Theatre of García Lorca, Royal Holloway, University of London)

“This is a highly innovative study, which will appeal to students (from 6th form to postgraduate) and scholars alike. There is something for everybody here. Readers who are unfamiliar with Lorca will find an excellent introduction to the man and his plays. For Lorca specialists and academics it proffers new dimensions on productions of Lorca plays in and beyond Spain, and on film and opera versions of the theatre. The chapter on Lorca as cultural icon is especially eye-catching, and will fascinate all who are interested in cultural studies. The book is written in an original, incisive style, and is challenging yet accessible.” (Prof. David George, University of Wales, Swansea)

“An outstanding and completely contemporary account of Lorca and the ‘Lorca phenomenon’, this book provides a sophisticated and accessible analysis of Lorca's pivotal position in Spanish and, now, in global culture.” (Prof Robert Eaglestone, Professor of Contemporary Literature and Thought, Royal Holloway, University of London and Series Editor, Routledge Critical Thinkers)

“Maria M Delgado is the first scholar to explain clearly the extraordinarily complex set of myths and misunderstandings that have shaped the reception of that challenging twentieth-century genius Federico García Lorca. She demonstrates the huge range of traditions drawn on by his work — not only commedia dell'arte and popular performance traditions, but also the music, song and dance of his country; she further explores his close relationship with developments in the visual arts, charting his collaborations with Salvador Dalí and other contemporary innovators. Above all, her study is informed by a profound sensitivity to the way perception is shaped by performance, especially in the case of the great ‘outsider’ poets, of whom Lorca and Genet are the outstanding examples.” (Professor David Bradby, Royal Holloway, University of London, UK)