MEMOIRS

'In these memoirs or recollections there are gaps here and there, and sometimes they are also forgetful, because life is like that...' This is how Pablo Neruda begins these memories and impressions of his childhood in 'my country's Wild West', of his student years in Santiago, his vocation in poetry and politics, his flight from Chilean police, his 1952 homecoming and his last years laden with honours. 'Memoirs' is as full of Neruda's passionate, volatile and profoundly generous personality as lovers of his poetry would expect. Lorca, Vallejo, Picasso, Gandhi, Mao Tsé-Tung, Castro and Allende all appear here too, making Neruda's life story of truly universal reach and significance, as well as the richest account we have of Latin American history, politics, art and literature.