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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
2.7 stars. it was getting better until it wasn’t. i am NEVER reading one of Saramago’s books EVER again.
I was originally very frustrated by this book. I really wanted Baltasar and Blimunda to do something exciting! Blimunda had her powers and they had built a flying machine and Baltasar was yoking oxen and Blimunda was just staying at the house all day.
But then I suddenly changed my perspective, stopped caring about the plot and realised that the main characters are not "main characters" but simply characters. They don't do anything to advance the plot because there is no plot from their perspective, they are just living their lives. Saramago just uses them and their lives as an excuse to describe life in 18th century Portugal.
And that is where the novel shines! Depicting the daily life and everyday struggles and insecurities of people of every social class, from the peasantry to the king!
But then I suddenly changed my perspective, stopped caring about the plot and realised that the main characters are not "main characters" but simply characters. They don't do anything to advance the plot because there is no plot from their perspective, they are just living their lives. Saramago just uses them and their lives as an excuse to describe life in 18th century Portugal.
And that is where the novel shines! Depicting the daily life and everyday struggles and insecurities of people of every social class, from the peasantry to the king!
Though he's a beautiful writer, I strongly prefer Saramago's allegories.
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Li este em 2023 quando estava no secundário. Este livro mostra-nos uma espécie de "behind the scenes" de toda a construção do convento de Mafra, onde Saramago nos mostra o lado dos trabalhadores que deram a sua vida para dar vida a esta obra arquitetónica.
Na altura, a escrita pareceu-me confusa e aborrecida, mas agora percebo o porquê de Saramago ser considerado uns dos grandes génios da literatura portuguesa contemporânea. A todos os alunos do secundário que estejam a ler este livro, não se desmotivem porque este livro é muito mais do que uma pontuação "ao contrário" ;)
Na altura, a escrita pareceu-me confusa e aborrecida, mas agora percebo o porquê de Saramago ser considerado uns dos grandes génios da literatura portuguesa contemporânea. A todos os alunos do secundário que estejam a ler este livro, não se desmotivem porque este livro é muito mais do que uma pontuação "ao contrário" ;)
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes