Exchanging Lives

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Exchanging Lives presents the work of the remarkable Argentinian poet Alejandra Pizarnik in English for the first time. Celebrated in feminist criticism for her subversive use of violent myth, Pizarnik's poetry resonates with themes of social isolation and belonging. This translation, however, transcends conventional approaches; translator Susan Bassnett, a poet herself, engages in a personal dialogue with Pizarnik's work. This dialogue explores shared womanist concerns and highlights their differences—Pizarnik's introspective struggles contrast with Bassnett's quest for personal writing space. Through this interaction, both Pizarnik and her poems are illuminated more vividly. Alejandra Pizarnik, born in Buenos Aires in 1936, produced confessional and dense work marked by dark fantasies of blood and knives. She often expressed feelings of being "a few steps away from the eternity of silence" and tragically took her own life in 1972. Susan Bassnett, a professor of comparative literary studies at the University of Warwick, has published extensively, with her poetry appearing in various literary journals. She has authored over 25 books, including significant works on women writers in Latin America and feminist experiences across cultures. This unique translation not only brings Pizarnik's voice to a new audience but also enriches the understanding of her profound impact.