Astronomy and Astrophysics Abstracts, which has appeared in semi-annual volumes since 1969, is de voted to the recording, summarizing and indexing of astronomical publications throughout the world. It is prepared under the auspices of the International Astronomical Union (according to a resolution adopted at the 14th General Assembly in 1970). Astronomy and Astrophysics Abstracts aims to present a comprehensive documentation of literature in all fields of astronomy and astrophysics. Every effort will be made to ensure that the average time interval between the date of receipt of the original literature and publication of the abstracts will not exceed eight months: This time interval is near to that achieved by monthly abstracting journals, com pared to which our system of accumulating abstracts for about six months offers the advantage of greater convenience for the user. I, 1980; some older Volume 27 contains literature published in 1980 and received before August literature which was received late and which is not recorded in earlier volumes is also included. We acknowledge with thanks contributions to this volume by Dr. J. Bouska, Prague, who surveyed journals and publications in Czech and supplied us with abstracts in English.

The Indonesian critic, Dami Toda, describes Herliany's writing as revealing "a struggle to understand human experience in all its reality - not as an ideal but as a fact that displays profound suffering and hurt, without, apparently, any hope of redemption." In her introduction to this book, the British poet Linda France writes: "The energy and violence expressed in the title of this collection run through the work like a ruptured vein, fragile and vulnerable, but necessary for survival. Underneath this troubled surface, there is so much tenderness and openness, in shocking contrast to the 'Other', represented by the world of politics and war, that the speaker of the poems is aware she is in danger of annihilation." Another poet, Annie Kantar, is equally emphatic: "Herliany's poetry is intent upon opposing personal and political oppression. She does not attempt to mend, her poetry does not offer a vision of a final Utopia. Instead, it takes the first step towards change by waking, inciting, shattering."