In 'The Complete Perfectionist,' Juan Ramón Jiménez explores the delicate balance between the relentless pursuit of perfection and the acceptance of human flaws. Through lyrical prose and profound insights, he examines how the obsession with excellence can both inspire and consume us. Readers are invited into the inner workings of an artist's mind, grappling with self-doubt and the quest for beauty. As Jiménez unravels his own journey, he poses thought-provoking questions about what it truly means to be 'complete.' This compelling narrative leaves us pondering whether perfection is a goal worth chasing or a myth to be embraced.
By Juan Ramón Jiménez
Published: 2011
"The pursuit of perfection is a delicate dance between aspiration and acceptance, where each step unfolds a deeper understanding of our own imperfection."
Few have written more memorably about the work of poetry and the poetics of work than Juan Ramón Jiménez, winner of a Nobel Prize and discerning teacher of an entire generation of Spanish poets. In this series of aphorisms, Jiménez brings together the elements of perfect work, both in writing and in other realms. Among these elements--the wellsprings of any kind of creation--are instinct and inspiration, memory and forgetting, silence and noise, love and regret. A treasure for poets and writers, The Complete Perfectionist includes helpful commentary by noted translator Christopher Maurer and shows perfection as a process of "becoming" rather than an end product. In these insightful pages, a poet haunted by perfection reveals his methods of writing and revision, and measures the social and ethical dimensions of el trabajo gustoso, or pleasurable work. This revised and expanded edition includes many aphorisms recently published in Spanish and not previously included.
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“The pursuit of perfection is a delicate dance between aspiration and acceptance, where each step unfolds a deeper understanding of our own imperfection.”
The Complete Perfectionist
By Juan Ramón Jiménez
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Juan Ramón Jiménez (1881-1958) was a celebrated Spanish poet and Nobel laureate, renowned for his profound and lyrical contributions to 20th-century literature. Born in Moguer, Andalucía, Jiménez is best known for his seminal works, including 'Platero y yo' (Platero and I), a beautiful prose poem that explores the themes of innocence and nature through the eyes of a small donkey. His poetry often reflects a deep connection to nature, existential themes, and a quest for purity in language. Jiménez's writing is characterized by its sensuous imagery, musicality, and emotional depth, earning him a prominent place in the modernist literary movement. In 1956, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, recognizing his singular voice and lasting impact on the world of poetry.
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