Astride Ivaska has long been an important literary voice in the Latvian émigré community; since the fall of communism in her homeland, that voice is being heard there, as well. She has published a strong body of poetry as well as some excellent poetic prose. Exile is an enduring theme in her texts, but Ivaska's working through of the exile problem is original and goes well beyond mere nostalgia. Her poetry is subtle, sophisticated in form, and richly varied thematically. While deeply involved in the history and tradition of Latvia, she is a cosmopolitan writer, fluent in several languages, and acquainted with poetry and poets from all over the world.

Astride Helena Hartmane was born in Riga on 7 August 1926 to Martins Hartmanis and Irma Liepina Hartmane. Her father, a general in the Latvian army, was arrested by the Soviet occupiers early in World War II and...