Tiempo nublado

Rating:
Summary: a clear mirror for our murky times
Review: Octavio Paz is clearly the Hispanic Tocqueville of our times! Except he mixes poetry with prose and his writing has a lucidity which marks him as one of the foremost critics and commentators of our age. His analysis of the ailments of our hedonistic society and times is on target as are his dissections of the Soviet world before its collapse. Although his forays into the Far East could benefit from more exposure to the history and culture of the area, his examples of Jesuit influence in the reign of the Manchu Emperor Kangxi are a demonstration of his erudition. Highly recommended for those who enjoy a good essay on society but at the same time appreciate fine prose and sharp edged analysis! A masterpiece by this Nobel laureate!