Selected Poetry of Andrea Zanzotto - Bilingual Poems in Italian

In this review of Selected Poetry of Andrea Zanzotto the book is presented as a focused bilingual collection ideal for readers who value close translation and original-language engagement. The volume, translated by Ruth Feldman and Brian Swann, pairs English translations with the Italian text on facing pages, making it especially useful for students, translators, and poetry readers seeking an intimate experience of Zanzotto's innovation and intellectual voice. The review highlights the book's accessibility, editorial choices, and the practical value of a facing-text format for study and appreciation.

Key Features

• Bilingual presentation: English translations appear on pages facing the original Italian, which helps readers compare phrasing and tone at a glance.
• Selective anthology: The translators chose poems from Zanzotto's published work to represent his range, providing a concise entry into his poetic concerns.
• Distinguished translators: Ruth Feldman and Brian Swann provide carefully considered translations that preserve intellectual density and lyric elegance.
• Durable reissue: Issued through the Princeton Legacy Library program, the book is a reprint of the 1976 edition made available again in a stable paperback or hardcover format.
• Textual fidelity: The edition preserves the original text of the 1976 publication, valuable for readers seeking historical accuracy in presentation.

Who It's For

The book is best for poetry readers, students of modern Italian literature, and translators who want a portable, readable selection of Andrea Zanzotto's work with dependable facing translations. Its format supports classroom use and private study where comparing language line by line is important.

Readers seeking a comprehensive collected works or a heavily annotated critical edition should look elsewhere; this volume is a selected anthology with a focus on presentation and accessible translation rather than exhaustive commentary or the latest scholarship.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Faithful bilingual layout makes it easy to cross-reference Italian and English lines for study.
• Careful translations by Feldman and Swann convey much of Zanzotto's intellectual tone and lyrical style.
• Princeton Legacy Library reissue gives access to an out-of-print title in durable paperback or hardcover form.

Cons

• The book is a selection rather than a complete collection, so readers wanting all of Zanzotto's poems will need additional volumes.
• There is limited new critical apparatus or extensive annotation for readers who want exhaustive scholarly notes.

Specifications

Title	Selected Poetry of Andrea Zanzotto
Translators	Ruth Feldman and Brian Swann
Original publication	1976
Edition	Princeton Legacy Library reissue (print-on-demand)
Text format	Italian and English on facing pages (bilingual)
Contents	Selected poems from Zanzotto's published work

Our Verdict

Selected Poetry of Andrea Zanzotto is a compact, well-presented bilingual anthology that serves readers who want accessible translations alongside the Italian originals. It represents good value for students, translators, and poetry readers who prize clarity of presentation and carefully chosen translations, though scholars seeking exhaustive material or heavy annotation will need to supplement it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this edition include both Italian and English texts?
Yes, translations by Ruth Feldman and Brian Swann appear on pages facing the original Italian text.

Is this a complete collection of Zanzotto's poetry?
No, it is a selected anthology that presents chosen poems rather than a complete works edition.

What is the source of this reissue?
The volume is part of the Princeton Legacy Library program, a reprint of the 1976 publication using print-on-demand technology.