Olá, amigos leitores! Segunda-feira passada (last Monday) was Dia Internacional das Mulheres (International Women’s Day) in many countries around the world. And to honor all the women in our lives, our text today will celebrate a maior escritora brasileira (the greatest Brazilian writer) and one of the most important names in 20th century world literature who would be, in December 2020, a 100 years old: it’s time to remember Clarice Lispector. Have you ever heard of her or leu algum de seus livros (read any of her books)? So, let’s get to know a little more about this incredible escritora (writer)!

Although she nasceu (was born) in a small village in Ukraine and her real name is actually Chaya Pinkhasovna Lispector, Clarice moved to Brazil as a baby and never had any dúvidas (doubts) about her identity, she always proclaimed herself to be a Brazilian from Pernambuco. Her Jewish origins led her to be considered the greatest Jewish writer since Franz Kafka and her obra (work) has been traduzida (translated) into more than 10 different idiomas (languages). The literary universe of Clarice Lispector brims with simple cenas cotidianas (everyday scenes) and routine tasks from which an underlying psychological plot stands out. One of her work’s features most pointed out by estudiosos (scholars) is a feeling of epifania (breakthrough) that ordinary characters experience while going about their daily lives, and those minor details are what bring out the beleza (beauty) and complexity of her texts.

A celebrada autora Clarice Lispector (Image by waldryano from Pixabay)

Now, hopefully, you must be wondering what to ler (read) first, right? So here are some dicas (tips). To take your primeiros passos (first steps) into the world of Clarice Lispector, it is a good idea that you start with seus contos (her short stories), since, in addition to being curtos (short), they are more straightforward when it comes to language, which helps a first-time leitor (reader) entender (understand) the narrative codes and get acquainted with the unique rhythm of her texts. You can find all her stories in the collection Complete Stories by Clarice Lispector. However, her romances mais conhecidos (best-known novels) are “A hora da Estrela” (The hour of the Star) and “A paixão segundo G.H.” (The passion according to G.H.), all published by New Direction and disponíveis em várias livrarias (available in several book stores) and online sales platforms worldwide. Interested? You can look them up here, here and also here.

What is your experience with Clarice Lispector? Did you feel like checking our her literary work? Giving her a change might be a great opportunity to brush up on your Portuguese skills! I hope you enjoyed our text’s double tribute on the centenary of our greatest writer and International Women’s Day. Don’t forget to comment below on any other reading tips. Até a próxima!

Feel like aprender (learning) more about a autora (the author)? Our previous posts can help you with that!

Clarice Lispector – Brazilian Author’s Memory Celebrated

Brazilian Profile: Clarice Lispector

Brazilian Literature