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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
3,5*
Memorial do Convento é um dos meus livros menos preferidos do Saramago. E quis fazer esta releitura para ter certeza disso e para saber as razões para tal. A primeira vez que li o livro foi no secundário, obrigada pela disciplina de Português, fiquei com a vontade de conhecer o autor a fundo, mas o livro não me convenceu. A segunda leitura trouxe-me novas perspectivas. Levei 4 meses para a fazer, pois queria ter tempo para estar com a história. Gosto bastante da parte que envolve a família real e a construção do convento. Saramago faz um crítica muito aguçada a um monumento que foi levantado por um povo obrigado, obrigado por um rei capichoso e egoísta. Nós, portugueses do século XXI, nunca pensamos nos trabalhos forçados e nas mortes que as nossas relíquias causaram. Também o romance entre Baltasar e Blimunda é uma das partes mais interessantes de acompanhar. Eles vivem o amor verdadeiro e sincero que todos almejamos viver. As últimas páginas do livro são a coisa mais sofrida de ler, só dá vontade de ralhar com o Saramago e fazê-lo alterar a história. São dois personagens muito queridos, são pobres, mas têm toda a riqueza do mundo nos seus corações. Porém, é a parte da passarola que me chateia sempre. Forcei-me por me interessar, mas não consegui. Isso acabei por não entender, não o propósito da passarola dentro da história, mas o porquê de achar esta parte enfadonha. Só sei que Saramago diz uma verdade em cada páginas e em cada página dá-nos um murro no estômago, ao mesmo tempo que nos delicia com a sua escrita e a sua lucidez para com a vida. Todos temos muito a aprender com este senhor, teremos sempre porque pessoas como ele são eternas.
Memorial do Convento é um dos meus livros menos preferidos do Saramago. E quis fazer esta releitura para ter certeza disso e para saber as razões para tal. A primeira vez que li o livro foi no secundário, obrigada pela disciplina de Português, fiquei com a vontade de conhecer o autor a fundo, mas o livro não me convenceu. A segunda leitura trouxe-me novas perspectivas. Levei 4 meses para a fazer, pois queria ter tempo para estar com a história. Gosto bastante da parte que envolve a família real e a construção do convento. Saramago faz um crítica muito aguçada a um monumento que foi levantado por um povo obrigado, obrigado por um rei capichoso e egoísta. Nós, portugueses do século XXI, nunca pensamos nos trabalhos forçados e nas mortes que as nossas relíquias causaram. Também o romance entre Baltasar e Blimunda é uma das partes mais interessantes de acompanhar. Eles vivem o amor verdadeiro e sincero que todos almejamos viver. As últimas páginas do livro são a coisa mais sofrida de ler, só dá vontade de ralhar com o Saramago e fazê-lo alterar a história. São dois personagens muito queridos, são pobres, mas têm toda a riqueza do mundo nos seus corações. Porém, é a parte da passarola que me chateia sempre. Forcei-me por me interessar, mas não consegui. Isso acabei por não entender, não o propósito da passarola dentro da história, mas o porquê de achar esta parte enfadonha. Só sei que Saramago diz uma verdade em cada páginas e em cada página dá-nos um murro no estômago, ao mesmo tempo que nos delicia com a sua escrita e a sua lucidez para com a vida. Todos temos muito a aprender com este senhor, teremos sempre porque pessoas como ele são eternas.
Tentei ler três vezes. A última foi em 2003. Em todas elas não passei da página 30.
Este ano, ano de centenário decidi tentar uma quarta.
E que leitura foi! Que maravilha. Obrigado José Saramago por este livro. Blimunda quero tanto te abraçar...
Este ano, ano de centenário decidi tentar uma quarta.
E que leitura foi! Que maravilha. Obrigado José Saramago por este livro. Blimunda quero tanto te abraçar...
slow-paced
This piece of literature was not at all what I was expecting. Memorial do Convento is a portuguese classic based on the construction of a memorable portuguese monument, Convento de Mafra. It also tells the love story of Baltasar and Blimunda.
Let's start with the writing and structure. It's very different from everything I have read. Saramago writes long paragraphs with very little periods, a lot of commas and the dialogue starts with a capital letter right after a comma. It's not at all the "normal" but as I read through the book, it became less annoying; it takes a little bit of effort to get used to.
However, the story makes up for it. The intricate life of the royalty and their ignorance towards the common people is so well exposed. The author uses his satiric and harsh comments to criticize this, as well as other subjects such as the abuse of the poor for the benefit of the rich, the sinful life that the clergy leads and the corrupt, presumptuous and naive nation that is Portugal.
The most compelling and captivating part of the this romance is the love story. Baltasar and Blimunda complete each other in a perfect way and their journey is incredibly put together throughout the whole book. Both amazing characters; both with qualities that help the other; this couple is Saramago at his best.
Don't be tempted to skip this book for it is an essential read and a masterpiece of this great portuguese author. A deep love story combined with a historical view of the 18th century makes this an immersive read in which you will fall in love. From the actual story to the narrator's thoughts, Saramago created a praiseworthy tale of the reign of King D. João V whilst keeping it interesting.
Let's start with the writing and structure. It's very different from everything I have read. Saramago writes long paragraphs with very little periods, a lot of commas and the dialogue starts with a capital letter right after a comma. It's not at all the "normal" but as I read through the book, it became less annoying; it takes a little bit of effort to get used to.
However, the story makes up for it. The intricate life of the royalty and their ignorance towards the common people is so well exposed. The author uses his satiric and harsh comments to criticize this, as well as other subjects such as the abuse of the poor for the benefit of the rich, the sinful life that the clergy leads and the corrupt, presumptuous and naive nation that is Portugal.
The most compelling and captivating part of the this romance is the love story. Baltasar and Blimunda complete each other in a perfect way and their journey is incredibly put together throughout the whole book. Both amazing characters; both with qualities that help the other; this couple is Saramago at his best.
Don't be tempted to skip this book for it is an essential read and a masterpiece of this great portuguese author. A deep love story combined with a historical view of the 18th century makes this an immersive read in which you will fall in love. From the actual story to the narrator's thoughts, Saramago created a praiseworthy tale of the reign of King D. João V whilst keeping it interesting.
Comecei a ler este livro já que era leitura obrigatória para o 12° ano e tenho a dizer que há poucas coisas que se salvam. Este livro é extremamente monótono, podia ter (no mínimo) menos 100 páginas; se eu achei que os Maias tinham demasiadas páginas então era porque ainda não tinha lido isto. Os únicos aspetos que “salvaram” este livro foi as críticas à monarquia e à religião que eu apreciei e Baltasar e Blimunda, gostei de ambos embora duvide que volte a pensar na história deles.
Para além disto tudo, sinto que o fim foi bastante underwhelming, se me pedissem para falar sobre este livro eu pouco poderia dizer já que houve poucos momentos que ficaram na minha memória.
Este é o meu segundo livro do Saramago e partilho esta falta de entusiasmo por ambos, o estilo do autor não me cativou e a falta de pontuação adequada faz parecer que o autor não concluiu o primeiro ciclo. Não duvido que Saramago tenha alguns livros bons mas, muito sinceramente, não tenho interesse em ler mais trabalhos deste autor.
Dito isto, a única coisa que me trouxe alegria neste livro foi finalmente acabá-lo.
Para além disto tudo, sinto que o fim foi bastante underwhelming, se me pedissem para falar sobre este livro eu pouco poderia dizer já que houve poucos momentos que ficaram na minha memória.
Este é o meu segundo livro do Saramago e partilho esta falta de entusiasmo por ambos, o estilo do autor não me cativou e a falta de pontuação adequada faz parecer que o autor não concluiu o primeiro ciclo. Não duvido que Saramago tenha alguns livros bons mas, muito sinceramente, não tenho interesse em ler mais trabalhos deste autor.
Dito isto, a única coisa que me trouxe alegria neste livro foi finalmente acabá-lo.
challenging
informative
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I expected more from this book. I'd just finished N.K. Jemison's Fifth Season, and I'd hated that book because of the complete lack of regard the author holds for the medium. Despite her great ability to create a plot and a compelling narrative, she simply does not care about writing and prose.
This book, unfortunately, suffered from some of the same problems. I can't say he disregards prose and writing, because that's false. Yet, he really needed an editor who would tell him when too much was too much. The only analogue I can give is a hollywood drama that was only funded in the hopes it could get free marketing in the oscar circuit. It was just over the top way too often. I'll list some examples:
"It is strange how the elderly fall silent when they ought to go on speaking, obliging the young to learn everything from scratch" (196).
"The giant is recognized by his finger" (209).
"If God has any feeling for mankind, He would have made the world as flat as the palm of one's hand, so the stones could be transported more rapidly" (246).
"There is nothing in the world so imprecise as numbers" (281).
"By buying at prices we do not know and selling at prices we do know to be excessive, while we repay them with malicious tongues and eventually with our lives" (49).
As you can see, sometimes they're really just beautiful lines, but they're everywhere. And often times they're shoved in there. They're often unrelated to what he was talking about, and it feels like he wrote the line first, and then just looked for a place to stick it in the novel. That's my biggest qualm with the book. It seems like it was written in bad faith. Just as the oscar seeking drama isn't made because it cares about being faithful to its subject matter, but, rather, cares more about making a profit for its producers via satiating the artistic ego of the masses, this book feels like it was written to satisfy the author's need for being a profound mind.
So I do need to point out that the book really isn't about anything. It's way too long, way too tedious, and nothing really happens. I understand that plot and events aren't always necessary for a beautiful novel, but there has to be some purpose.
On that note, the last quarter of the novel was more interesting, purely because I came to learn that it was based on true events, and, as such, reads more as an ethnography after the fact. It was interesting for that alone, and it became more readable when it began to present itself as a simple look at this history for its own sake.
Finally, the last few chapters, the last twenty or so pages, were really stunning and beautiful. I don't really think I could recommend the book to anyone, because I know it would bore them, and twenty pages of value doesn't need three hundred and twenty pages of preparation. Nonetheless, I did cry when I finished it. It was pretty. That alone moves it from three to four stars.
This book, unfortunately, suffered from some of the same problems. I can't say he disregards prose and writing, because that's false. Yet, he really needed an editor who would tell him when too much was too much. The only analogue I can give is a hollywood drama that was only funded in the hopes it could get free marketing in the oscar circuit. It was just over the top way too often. I'll list some examples:
"It is strange how the elderly fall silent when they ought to go on speaking, obliging the young to learn everything from scratch" (196).
"The giant is recognized by his finger" (209).
"If God has any feeling for mankind, He would have made the world as flat as the palm of one's hand, so the stones could be transported more rapidly" (246).
"There is nothing in the world so imprecise as numbers" (281).
"By buying at prices we do not know and selling at prices we do know to be excessive, while we repay them with malicious tongues and eventually with our lives" (49).
As you can see, sometimes they're really just beautiful lines, but they're everywhere. And often times they're shoved in there. They're often unrelated to what he was talking about, and it feels like he wrote the line first, and then just looked for a place to stick it in the novel. That's my biggest qualm with the book. It seems like it was written in bad faith. Just as the oscar seeking drama isn't made because it cares about being faithful to its subject matter, but, rather, cares more about making a profit for its producers via satiating the artistic ego of the masses, this book feels like it was written to satisfy the author's need for being a profound mind.
So I do need to point out that the book really isn't about anything. It's way too long, way too tedious, and nothing really happens. I understand that plot and events aren't always necessary for a beautiful novel, but there has to be some purpose.
On that note, the last quarter of the novel was more interesting, purely because I came to learn that it was based on true events, and, as such, reads more as an ethnography after the fact. It was interesting for that alone, and it became more readable when it began to present itself as a simple look at this history for its own sake.
Finally, the last few chapters, the last twenty or so pages, were really stunning and beautiful. I don't really think I could recommend the book to anyone, because I know it would bore them, and twenty pages of value doesn't need three hundred and twenty pages of preparation. Nonetheless, I did cry when I finished it. It was pretty. That alone moves it from three to four stars.