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Clarice Lispector

4.04 AVERAGE

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
emotional reflective sad slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

i (explosion) am beyond devastated

If it weren't a textbook example of postmodernism, it would not come so highly recommended. It is merciless. No character is likable. Everyone is stupid. The narrator is a root canal to be endured. The form is inventive, which would be a virtue if the text had been used to convey something emotionally useful. And the book is short. So that's good.
reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
funny lighthearted reflective slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This was my first Lispector book and it was an enjoyable read. I found the language accessible. The narrator was a bit annoying at first but as I read more I started to get used to his voice and found his observations quite comical. He continuously shifts from being existential and harshly critiquing his protagonist but then defends her and advocates for her story to be shared.

Macabea who is the girl the narrator writes about, is an endearing character. I felt both sorry for but also admired her. She is described as very naive and not very intelligent but ultimately she is free. I like how she is curious and open. She speaks honestly and comes across as authentic.

A quick but fun read and want to definitely explore more of Lispector's work.
emotional funny inspiring sad fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
challenging emotional reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

La hora de la estrella es un libro compuesto de distintos fragmentos de texto que Clarice y su secretaria fueron recopilando, y nos cuenta la historia de Macabea, una mujer pobre que se muda a Rio de Janeiro y tiene una vida bastante miserable. Macabea es víctima del sexismo y la pobreza que atravesaba a la sociedad brasileña. Nosotros aprendemos acerca de ella desde los ojos del narrador, Rodrigo.
Rodrigo es sin dudas mi personaje favorito. Me encanta el narrador de esta historia, como se dirige al lector mientras nos cuenta el relato, como el no logra comprender a Macabea y como el duda de si mismo y su imposibilidad de comprender cómo Macabea puede sentirse feliz en la infelicidad que vive (ella no es conciente de su miseria) Cuando estaba buscando cosas de este libro en internet me gustó algo que vi en Wikipedia que dice:
"Rodrigo no es omnipotente o un creador invisible, sino que es un pensador que duda, vacila, y cuestiona su propio trabajo.En ésta y en otras novelas, Lispector pone en duda la habilidad que tiene la ficción de capturar la verdad." Me encantó esto de Clarice y no puedo esperar a leer Agua viva donde leí que ella explora esto aún más.
El final de la historia también me gustó mucho. Es un final bastante triste, pero realista. Concluye la construcción y el desarrollo de Macabea y le muestra al lector como es a veces la vida.


Actualización relectura 2023: Tuve que releer el libro para una materia que estoy cursando en la facu y lo disfruté incluso más que la primera vez qu elo leí. Me encanta la escritura de Clarice, la experimentación que tiene con la escritura y como te acerca a sus personajes sin dejar de recordarte que son una construcción.

Sufocante.