Mini-Comments

Since last week I've been in vacation mode, at last!

To be honest, things have not been going that well in that regard, but I've been trying to do some things I've saved for this time, and it's almost Christmas, so I've been entertained with shopping as well, and it seems I have less time for some things if out of my routines.

Reading has been slow, and what I had planned not that great, sadly, therefore some mini comments follow...

Ensaio Sobre a Lucidez by José Saramago (translated as Seeing) is a kind of follow up to Blindness, which I liked a lot, but only in the sense that it mentions two important characters from that book, and the action of this book happens four years after Blindness. It's really not important to have read Blindness first but if so, that is a pity. for I thought that one to be so much better than Seeing.

The story begins very well, at the day of elections, and having been at the polls myself I immediately recognized those descriptions, which was great to get me into the mood. The story is simple, during a certain election, the majority of voters in a city vote white, meaning, they don't vote for any party, which translates as not agreeing with the established parties. What happens next is, as always in Saramago's books, a study on human behavior and possible actions which are mostly food for thought. 

I liked reading this story and there are, indeed, great witty passages here and there, but as a linear plot this didn't impress me as much as Blindness. All the features one expects from the author's style are here, that is not the issue, but the characters and the musings they have sometimes just didn't feel as interesting or captivating. I feel glad I've read it, but it wasn't great.

Grade: 6/10

Tudo é Rio by Carla Madeira could be translated into "all is river" and this is my first attempt at this Brazilian writer's work. I was given this book otherwise I probably would not pick it myself, and I must say I didn't end up a fan of her style. This is a pity, for I've seen this book has been quite a success here, but between the plot and the writing, it was more meh to me.

We have the story of three main characters, prostitute Lucy and couple Dalva and Venancio, who get mixed up after a few events. I can assume the author wanted to show how everything in life flows (like a river of course) from one moment to the next, from one decision to the next. What the three protagonists do when in reaction to a few emotional situations will make the difference in their lives.

The book is short, to be fair it is easy to read, but there are lots of descriptions of Lucy's actions and thoughts, which I could do without, and the author uses vulgar language, which I assume is on purpose, but still disappointed me, and then Dalva and Venancio have issues which give the story this doom feel. I also think the author writes in a similar way to other Latin author's I've tried before, with a style of telling rather than showing character' growth. It's fine if one likes it, but to me fails to grab my emotions.

Some situations were good to read and Dalva and her mother are great characters for instance, but I cannot say I was amazed by reading this. As with other cases, perhaps if I find another book by her at the library I could think of trying it.

Grade: 6/10