Since the 16th century, the Spanish language has been interwoven into the fabric of American history, shaping its literary and cultural landscapes. Yet, much of this literary tradition remains underexplored
In “Florilegio,” Víctor Fuentes — a professor emeritus at UC Santa Barbara — brings together a collection of Spanish-language texts written within the United States, spanning from the 16th to the mid-20th century.
The book’s title, meaning “flower picking,” reflects its purpose: to gather and showcase a literary tradition that has long flourished in the U.S., even if it has often been overlooked. “This literature is part of the history of the United States, but it has been forgotten, erased,” said Fuentes, a historian of Spanish literature. “My intention is to bring part of that to the reader, to offer it.” The texts include diaries, essays and poetry, accompanied by brief notes on the authors and an extensive bibliography — tools Fuentes hopes will inspire further scholarship.
