La Harpe et l'Ombre — José Martí, exil et révolte (1979)

Authors : Alejo Carpentier

Genres : roman

Original language : espagnol

Editions

  • Editorial Plaza y Janés (Barcelone), 1979 es
  • Gallimard, coll. Du monde entier, 1979 fr
  • Gallimard, coll. Folio n°1742, 1986 fr
    ISBN 9782070377423

La Harpe et l’Ombre (El arpa y la sombra, 1979)

La Harpe et l’Ombre (El arpa y la sombra) is the last major novel by Alejo Carpentier, published in 1979 — the year preceding his death. The novel retraces the life and destiny of José Martí (1853-1895), the founding father of Cuban independence, poet and revolutionary martyrized in a battle against Spanish forces at Dos Ríos.

The narrative alternates between three perspectives: that of Martí himself (in his writings, his letters, his dreams), that of historians and biographers who attempt to reconstruct his destiny, and a dreamlike narrative voice — as if the spirit of Martí intervened directly to contradict or complete his own accounts. This multipolar structure renders the character of Martí vivid, contradictory, and human.

Carpentier explores the themes of exile, politics, language, and ideals that transcend their authors. La Harpe et l’Ombre is often considered his most personal novel — a tribute to Martí, whose vision of an independent and humanist Cuba Carpentier deeply admired. The novel was adapted for cinema by Juan Padrón in 1984 (El arpa y la sombra).

Sources