Jose Saramago: biography, books

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

This master of words was given to the world by sunny beautiful Portugal. For his talent, José Saramago was awarded the Nobel Prize and worldwide fame. Today, his works are read in almost all countries of the globe, films are made on them, in which the leading roles go to leading Hollywood actors.

The depth of meaning, the accuracy of the figurative system, delightful allegories and the versatility of the artistic world are the main features of his novels, not to mention the amazingly lively characters and creative manner that combines the main trends of several literary movements.

Outstanding personality

To a large extent, it is thanks to José Saramago that the world has started talking about the literature and culture of Portugal. In 1992, he founded the National Front for the Protection of Cultural Heritage in Lisbon, and in 1998 the author received his highest award. The novels of this writer are usually attributed to magical realism, but in fact they turn out to be so multifaceted that they combine all the best that literature has given to the world today. But their main feature can be calledperhaps, a magnificent embodiment of the absolute idea of humanism, an attitude to the preservation of humanity in any conditions and situations. This position was especially vividly expressed in the novel called "Blindness", which today is considered one of the most famous and popular in the whole world.

The origin of the future writer

Could José Saramago, being a boy from a simple peasant family, imagine that he would one day become one of the leading representatives of the worldwide literary community of his time? Most likely not.

The childhood of the master of the word was quite difficult - constant moving, lack of funds, the early death of his older brother, undoubtedly, left a certain imprint on the creative personality of the future author of the world bestseller. Despite this, Jose Saramago was a very capable student, the owner of an inquisitive mind and a vivid imagination. Since his parents could not afford to pay for a good school, at the age of 12, the boy was forced to begin training in the technical field in order to be able to earn a living, as they say, with his own hands.

Starting from the bottom

After completing his studies, José Saramago, whose books are read today by the whole world, worked as a mechanic in a car repair shop for two whole years, after which he chose the path of a translator, from which he eventually grew into a professional journalist. For some time, the future Nobel Prize winner worked as an assistant editor in the publication Diário de Notícias, but due to political changes in 1975year was forced to give up pursuing a career and return to translation activities.

Already soon, José Saramago, whose books became a real literary sensation, announced himself as an author of works of art.

Downs and ups

Despite the fact that this man always felt like a writer, his early creative experiences were not crowned with success. His real talent appeared to the world rather late. Saramago's most popular work at the moment is perhaps the Gospel of Jesus, but this book owes much of its worldwide fame to its rather scandalous story.

It is easy to guess that this book presents an alternative view of biblical history, which could not please adherents of strict religious beliefs. The parable form of narration, the irony with which certain views are illuminated, the very opposition of Jesus to the Old Testament Yahweh caused quite a big resonance and various reviews. Nevertheless, a year after the release of the novel The Gospel of Jesus, Saramago was awarded the highest award - the Nobel Prize.

Interesting topic in general

It should be noted that the above work is not the only one of its kind. Considering himself an atheist, the writer, nevertheless, devoted a lot of his works to religious topics or ideas close to it. For José Saramago, the Gospel was simply the clearest expression of the declared idea of the triumph of human humanism over religious dogmas, but howearlier, and later, it was reflected in the works and evoked a lively response from the readership around the world.

Rising from the ground

Perhaps, this is the first work of the writer, which received significant publicity and won the love of millions. Already from the first lines of the novel, the reader discovers the incredible beauty of Portugal, striking with a riot of colors and some almost magical charm. But at the same time, that longing, that bitterness and pain for their homeland, expressed by José Saramago in every line, are also striking.

Such subtlety and accuracy with which the work is written, critics traditionally explain the origin of the writer from a peasant family. Even the surname of this author was formed erroneously and etymologically goes back to the popular name of the wild radish. Such a strong spiritual connection with the native land of the writer could not but be reflected in his works.

Memories of the monastery

The Vatican's responses to this piece by José Saramago were really harsh. The clearly expressed anti-clerical attitude, reflected in this work, could not go unnoticed and caused a sensation. The situation was aggravated by the fact that the main character of the novel was a witch, who, of course, did not fit into the worldview of people with strict religious beliefs.

Nevertheless, this book is usually compared with Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose, which also became a worldwide bestseller.

Blindness

This is a work,perhaps it can be considered one of the most loved by the readership. An original look at the apocalypse, an inimitable plot, a characteristic creative manner and an unshakable faith in the triumph of humanity made the novel "Blindness" world-famous. Moreover, based on his motives, a magnificent film was made, in which the leading roles went to the leading actors of our time.

Double

This work can rightfully be called one of the darkest and most difficult to perceive in the work of José Saramago. "Double" is a book that makes the reader plunge as deeply as possible into his own inner world, to realize the abyss that is inside each of us, to think about the issues of the universe and being. Perhaps it is about her that you can find such conflicting reviews. José Saramago's novel "The Double" is sung with enthusiastic praises and at the same time speaks sharply negatively about him. One thing is for sure: after reading, no one remains indifferent.

A special creative manner, a unique view of the world, a syllable that strikes with its beauty and precision - these are the main features of José Saramago as the leading author of modern Portugal and one of the most significant figures in world literature today. Coming from the simplest low-income peasant family, he not only managed to achieve success and fame - he changed the world in some way, giving him a number of works, each of which has the right to be called a real masterpiece. This is literature that has become a bestseller around the world. These are books that have alreadybecome a classic.