Life Is a Dream

I did not expect to like this book. However, reading Life is a Dream in the original Spanish was a delight. With the opposing translation it is even more enjoyable as the occasional unfamiliar idiom or obscure vocabulary within the text was easily cleared up. And the translation itself is solid throughout. For those not familiar with the Spanish text, don't be discouraged; this is definitely the one of the most accessible Spanish classics. I would recommend it even to less advanced Spanish learners. (It's also short!)

I was going to write this review in Spanish, but, all the other ones are in English, so I will play along... This books has one passage, when Seguismundo talks to the girl for the first time, when he says: Con cada vez que te veo nueva admiración me das, y cuando te miro más, aun más mirarte deseo. Ojos hidrópicos creo que mis ojos deben ser; pues cuando es muerte el beber, beben más, y de esta suerte, viendo que el ver me da muerte, estoy muriendo por ver. God, I never get tired of reading that passage, it is the best, my favorite in the world. Loved the rest of the book. Ps: For the lawyers: The above passage is copyrighted, blah, not mine, yours, blah.

This play is a hidden gem. Calderon has written a classic comedy that follows the formula but ventures into classic philosophy as well: what is our life? Is it real? Is it a dream? If it is a dream, how then should we live our lives? This is the center of Oedipus Rex, with its fate versus free will theme, and Calderon explores it with humor and compassion. The Dover edition is inexpensive but doesn't cut corners, making it perfect for college students. I highly recommend it!

To be or not to be maybe is one of the most famous quotation. It is catchy, but " ¿Qué es la vida?/un frenesi/ ¿Qué es la vida?/ una ilusión" is better.Forget a spoiled prince too obssesed with his mother. Forget a maid who needs a therapy and soon. We have Segismundo and Rosaura. A brave, drop dead gorgeous dark hero and a resourceful, witty, inteligent heroine. You will laugh, you will cry.You have romance, sword-fighting-cross-star lovers, intrigue, foreign policy. All in one.Seriously, this is the best play ever written. You can enjoy only the story or find a real interpretation of Spain under the Habsburgs. But also a search for identity. Calderon asks the eternal question WHO ARE WE and wrapped it in a wonderful, rich and manificent dress.Try it and you forget Dennmark. And if you can read it in Spanish. Maybe is hard but it will worth.

This play by Pedro Calderon is one of the treasures of Spanish literature. From the golden age of hispanic civilisation comes this tale of a country in turmoil, the mistreated prince at the heart of it all, and a mysterious woman who brings order out of chaos.