Poet and university professor Candelaria locates Chicano poetry written since the 1960s in its social, economic, and political setting, uncovers its roots in both the Hispanic and Anglo literary traditions, and joins it to the web of world literature. Although forced at times to schematize, she is wary of reductiveness. Candelaria explores the themes and techniques of such poets as Alurista, Bernice Zamora, and Gary Soto. Her analyses brilliantly combine text and context. The final chapter is a tour de force on the prophetic, self-asserting, pain-centered, place-conscious, affirmative dimensions of Chicano poetry. Erudite, bold, and graceful, this study makes a neglected body of important poetry luminous for novice as well as scholar. It also makes clear that the traditional literary canon needs widening. It is as refreshing as rainfall in the desert. Leland Krauth, English Dept., Univ. of Colorado, Boulder
