How to achieve success with a reissue: 1964, the Ferdydurke of Sudamericana and Ernesto Sabato

In 1964, Sudamericana Publishing House printed in Buenos Aires the second edition of the Spanish version of the novel Ferdydurke (1937) by Polish writer Witold Gombrowicz. Apparently, it was identical to the first publication in Spanish (by Argos Publishing House, Buenos Aires, 1947); however, the text had been extensively revised according to Ernesto Sabato's indications. Furthermore, a new prologue written by Sabato substituted the previous initials materials. This article documents and explains how this revision, the new prologue, the decision to publish in Sudamericana, and the publicity given to the book were conscious decisions either by Gombrowicz or by Sabato in search of editorial success. Their final goal was to place the novel and its author in a visible and privileged place in the Argentine and Spanish-speaking literary system. The study also focuses on the textual differences between Ferdydurke's first and second Spanish editions: it tries to explain how and why specific changes were made and the implications of these changes.

Automated summary

This article documents the revision and publication of the second Spanish edition of Witold Gombrowicz's novel Ferdydurke in 1964. It explains the conscious decisions made by either Gombrowicz or Ernesto Sabato to seek editorial success and place the novel and its author in a significant position in the literary system. The study also analyzes the textual differences between the first and second Spanish editions and their implications.