I truly wish that my proficiency in Spanish was at a level where I could fully appreciate the works of Neruda in his native language.

I have an immense love for the earthy and populist nature of his love poems. There is something about them that, for reasons I struggle to completely put into words, deeply resonate with me.

It seems to me that all poets should possess a passionate and radical political stance, while also penning erotic love letters not only to girls but also to the magnificent mountains and flowing rivers.

This combination of political fervor and sensuous love seems to capture the essence of what it means to be a poet, to explore the depths of human emotion and connection with the world around us.

Neruda's works, in particular, have the power to transport readers to a different realm, one filled with beauty, passion, and a profound understanding of the human condition.

I long to be able to experience his poetry in its purest form, to understand the nuances and subtleties that are perhaps lost in translation.

Until then, I will continue to read and reread his poems, attempting to uncover the hidden meanings and emotions that lie within.

"Yo te he nombrado reina

Hay más altas que tú, hay más altas.

Hay más puras que tú, hay más puras.

Hay más bellas que tú, hay más bellas.

Pero tú eres la reina."

Evaluating this book was quite a challenge for me. Perhaps I started with high expectations before delving into Pablo Neruda's works, as many people had told me that he was a great poet or one of the best.

Very few verses stuck in my mind, and this was one of them, but the majority didn't. I found many of them to be forced.

I also think that I'm not yet ready to understand many of the poems he wrote.

However, my rating is a 3.5/5.

Anyway, I recommend going through this book, reading it, taking the time to enjoy each verse, getting to know Pablo Neruda, one of the few recognized Chilean poets, and getting closer to the poetry of this great country.

The selected text of the book was poetry by the poet. The first part or actually the selected poems of the first book were not very likable to me. In fact, in my opinion, establishing a connection with the feeling and the state of mind of the poet was difficult and out of reach. But with the other parts of the book, it was easier to establish a connection and the feeling and the intended meaning were better understandable. Anyway, in my opinion, it is just a book containing not very high-level love poems.

It seems that the poet's expression in the first part might be a bit too abstract or complex for my taste. However, as I delved into the other sections, I began to appreciate the nuances and the emotions that the poet was trying to convey. The love poems in this book, although not of the highest caliber, still have their charm and can touch the hearts of some readers. Maybe with more time and a deeper understanding of the poet's style, I will be able to find more value in this collection of poems.