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A review by blueyorkie
O Primo Basílio by Eça de Queirós
4.0
I fell in love with this 19th-century Portuguese novel, a souvenir novel from my stay in Porto. Having never read Portuguese literature, classical or contemporary, at the time of this reading, I was delighted to take this opportunity!
Luiza is a young bourgeois who allows herself to seduced by her youthful love, her cousin Bazilio. The latter is a dandy who wants to have a good time while he's in Lisbon, I quote: "this love story was pleasant and fascinating because it couldn't be more complete! There was a little adultery, a little incest". This event sets the tone, but it is not over: there is still the servant Juliana, frustrated and humiliated by her condition, who dreams of greatness and hates her mistresses.
This novel promised a tragic story of adultery and blackmail - even promised a little too much since the back cover spoils the end of the book. We, therefore, know that the novel will end badly, but fortunately, the suspense and the tension have affected mainly me and held in anticipation.
We find in this novel, everything that makes the classics, the careful writing, psychology studied in-depth, but with the modernity of tone and rhythm that made me devour it.
My only regret is the end, maybe a little too "easy" unveil the hidden text.
Thanks to the omniscient narration, the novel is very dynamic, the tension rises and falls according to the chapters. We know Luiza's state of mind, we can guess that of Bazilio and Juliana's intentions are very clear: how far will this take us?
Juliana is a compelling character. We hate her for what she feels for Luiza and makes her suffer while understanding her terrible frustration, especially since in a sense it's a way of fighting social injustice.
I loved immersing myself in this novel and its atmosphere! It is a superb surprise that I recommend to all!
Luiza is a young bourgeois who allows herself to seduced by her youthful love, her cousin Bazilio. The latter is a dandy who wants to have a good time while he's in Lisbon, I quote: "this love story was pleasant and fascinating because it couldn't be more complete! There was a little adultery, a little incest". This event sets the tone, but it is not over: there is still the servant Juliana, frustrated and humiliated by her condition, who dreams of greatness and hates her mistresses.
This novel promised a tragic story of adultery and blackmail - even promised a little too much since the back cover spoils the end of the book. We, therefore, know that the novel will end badly, but fortunately, the suspense and the tension have affected mainly me and held in anticipation.
We find in this novel, everything that makes the classics, the careful writing, psychology studied in-depth, but with the modernity of tone and rhythm that made me devour it.
My only regret is the end, maybe a little too "easy" unveil the hidden text.
Thanks to the omniscient narration, the novel is very dynamic, the tension rises and falls according to the chapters. We know Luiza's state of mind, we can guess that of Bazilio and Juliana's intentions are very clear: how far will this take us?
Juliana is a compelling character. We hate her for what she feels for Luiza and makes her suffer while understanding her terrible frustration, especially since in a sense it's a way of fighting social injustice.
I loved immersing myself in this novel and its atmosphere! It is a superb surprise that I recommend to all!