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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
The epigraph and the illustration before the first chapter sort of takes you by hand, makes you sit, start and read... hoping for another tour de force by an excellent author.
(after reading):
And so it proves to be. Apart from the political themes that this book evokes, the heart of the story (as always) is in the exact place that you would see Saramago himself placing: within the human experience of togetherness, universal mystery and the belief in the inseparability of truth from fantasy.
Memorable characters tread the ground in this work of fantastical truths. One would love to accompany them on any journey undertaken. One by one, Saramago not just populates his canvas wit fascinating characters, but evokes emotions out of Nature itself.
Undoubtedly one of the difficult books to write, there are themes aplenty to appreciate and connect with. The raft is travelling because it is inhabited by living souls.
(after reading):
And so it proves to be. Apart from the political themes that this book evokes, the heart of the story (as always) is in the exact place that you would see Saramago himself placing: within the human experience of togetherness, universal mystery and the belief in the inseparability of truth from fantasy.
Memorable characters tread the ground in this work of fantastical truths. One would love to accompany them on any journey undertaken. One by one, Saramago not just populates his canvas wit fascinating characters, but evokes emotions out of Nature itself.
Undoubtedly one of the difficult books to write, there are themes aplenty to appreciate and connect with. The raft is travelling because it is inhabited by living souls.
Saramago's prose will blow you away, even in English! I simply MUST read more!
Een wonderlijk verhaal over het wegdrijvende Siberische schiereiland en 5 mensen, en een hond, die elkaar treffen op hun eigen reis. Het is een soort reisverhaal met het typische magisch realisme. Het gaat over verbinding of juist het losmaken. De reizigers zoeken verbinding met elkaar, op een gegeven moment zelfs letterlijk met elkaar verbonden zijn. Daarbuiten is de verbinding van Europa, maar ook USA en Canada met Spanje en Portugal. "Wij zijn ook Ibereriers" lijkt haast een anachronisme ("Je suis Charlie"). Maar ook de verbinding tussen Portugal en Spanje speelt een rol. Heeft Saragamo hierin een politieke boodschap willen stoppen?
Het eind is frustrerend want het eiland drijft, gedraaid lijkt ergens willekeurig te zijn gestopt. Alle vrouwen zijn zwanger en Pedro Once overlijdt. Waarom stopt het verhaal hier?
De stijl van dit boek is pittig: ellenlange zinnen met veel archaïsche woorden. Filosofische uitwijdingen en hersenspinsels van de nadrukkelijk aanwezige verteller maakt het moeizaam te lezen. Het is in elk geval eentje waar jij je aandacht goed bij moet houden. Sommige passages waren overbodig, andere interessant en weer andere grappig. Wel reuze irritant was dat citaten met komma's aan elkaar verbonden waren en alleen te herkennen vielen aan de hoofdletter. Verschillende keren heb ik stukken herlezen omdat ik de draad kwijtraakte.
Kortom, na jaren eindelijk gelezen te nagedachtenis aan mijn man, daarom was het de moeite waard. Ik had alleen nog graag geweten wat hij zo spectaculair aan dit verhaal vond.
Het eind is frustrerend want het eiland drijft, gedraaid lijkt ergens willekeurig te zijn gestopt. Alle vrouwen zijn zwanger en Pedro Once overlijdt. Waarom stopt het verhaal hier?
De stijl van dit boek is pittig: ellenlange zinnen met veel archaïsche woorden. Filosofische uitwijdingen en hersenspinsels van de nadrukkelijk aanwezige verteller maakt het moeizaam te lezen. Het is in elk geval eentje waar jij je aandacht goed bij moet houden. Sommige passages waren overbodig, andere interessant en weer andere grappig. Wel reuze irritant was dat citaten met komma's aan elkaar verbonden waren en alleen te herkennen vielen aan de hoofdletter. Verschillende keren heb ik stukken herlezen omdat ik de draad kwijtraakte.
Kortom, na jaren eindelijk gelezen te nagedachtenis aan mijn man, daarom was het de moeite waard. Ik had alleen nog graag geweten wat hij zo spectaculair aan dit verhaal vond.
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
A very interesting read with some beautiful prose (even in translation). My problem with the book is the style in which it is written. With only full stops and commas for punctuation, the writing can be difficult to pace when reading. This, of course, is down to the reader but I found that during long paragraphs of nearly unbroken writing (save for a few commas) I was furiously reading and struggling to find suitable pauses. Moreover, while having no speech marks means the conversation is read as naturally as it would be spoken, it can sometimes be confusing as to who is saying what.
But, I admit that a more adept reader may not have these issues.
The story itself is interesting and explores politics, humanity and nationalism with skill.
But, I admit that a more adept reader may not have these issues.
The story itself is interesting and explores politics, humanity and nationalism with skill.
Ainda em jeito de comemoração da partida de Saramago, trago-vos este pequeno livro que resulta de uma conferência dada pelo autor em Turim.
Este livro foi-me aconselhado por um amigo quando o questionei por onde haveria de começar a ler Saramago e acabou por se tornar para mim numa espécie de luminária para a sua obra.
Nestas parcas sessenta páginas, o autor permite-nos entrar na sua mente e absorver a sua busca pela profundidade na sua obra.
Saramago pega-nos pela mão e leva-nos aos lugares e circunstâncias que pariram cada livro seu, com sangue e dor , como o é todo o nascimento!
Começamos na estátua e acabamos na pedra , acompanhando privilegiadamente o autoconhecimento do escritor.
Aconselho a todos os que querem ler o autor mas têm receio de se perder e àqueles que já o lendo ainda não o conheçam!
@fluxosdocoracao
___________________________
Este livro foi-me aconselhado por um amigo quando o questionei por onde haveria de começar a ler Saramago e acabou por se tornar para mim numa espécie de luminária para a sua obra.
Nestas parcas sessenta páginas, o autor permite-nos entrar na sua mente e absorver a sua busca pela profundidade na sua obra.
Saramago pega-nos pela mão e leva-nos aos lugares e circunstâncias que pariram cada livro seu, com sangue e dor , como o é todo o nascimento!
Começamos na estátua e acabamos na pedra , acompanhando privilegiadamente o autoconhecimento do escritor.
Aconselho a todos os que querem ler o autor mas têm receio de se perder e àqueles que já o lendo ainda não o conheçam!
@fluxosdocoracao
___________________________
I read this book for a literature class and I really liked the perspective and the way the plot moved. However, I didn't really find it to be a FUN read, and I never would read it if it was not required.
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
reflective
medium-paced
Massime bellissime, potevamo evitarci il tradimento ecco
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content