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Developing reading skills is an essential part of learning a language. News, articles, comics and literature are a great source for improving your reading habilities. If you want to get to know Brazilian literature better, o trabalho (the work) of Hilda Hilst pode ser uma boa ideia (can be a good idea).  

Brazilian writer Hilda Hilst

Born in 1930 in a cidade pequena (small town) in the state of São Paulo, the prestigious poet, playwright and novelist is regarded as one of the major writers in Portuguese language of the 20th century. Hilda went to law school, mas (but) abandoned her professional career and devoted herself entirely to literary creation after publishing her primeiro (first) poetry book in 1950.

Notorious for her free-spirited, bohemian living that defied the prevailing morals, the author even dated singer Dean Martin for a while and alledgedly stalked Marlon Brando in Paris. The country house to which she eventually retreated – a place named Casa do Sol – tornou-se (became) a shelter for artists, writers and intellectual ellite at the time.

Hilda Hilst passed away in 2004, leaving behind a prolific legacy. Though considered a controversial author challenging the cultural establishment, Hilst ganhou (won) many literary awards and prizes and has been translated into French, English, Italian and German.

Three of her works have an English translation: With My Dogs Eyes, Obscene Madame D and Letters from a Seducer. Their original Portuguese version is also available at major online bookstores for those willing to undertake a bilingual reading.

Com os Meus Olhos de Cão (With My Dog Eyes) – 1986

With My Dog Eyes presents a first person-narration by Amós Kéres, an absent-minded and detached math professor. Dissatisfied com sua vida (with his life) and forced to take a leave from work, the protagonist gradually loses hold on reality, experiencing visions, memories and hallucinations that drive him into utter loucura (madness). Hilst’s narrative is imbued with surrealism and absurdity, much like the character’s insanity, paired with a disjointed style that reflects the professor’s mental decay. Both mesmerizing and unsettling, With my Dog Eyes  examines the fine line between brilliance and insanity.

A Obscena Senhora D (The Obscene Madame D) – 1982

Hillé, a middle-aged woman, seeks refuge under the stairs de sua casa (of her house). In her isolated confinement, she engages in a dialogue with her recently departed marido (husband) Ehud and broods over their past relationship in an inquisitive, metaphysical tone. Noteworthy for its continually shifting point of views, this intriguing story, narrated by the widow, deals with issues of loss, sex, pleasure-seeking, the connection between God and Men – themes that commonly manifest themselves in her Hilda Hilst’s fiction.

Cartas de um Sedutor (Letters from a Seducer) – 1991

Seen as the most respected work in her porno-chic trilogy, Letters from a Seducer follows the epistolary tradition, narrating a vida diária (the daily life) of Karl, a vicious rich intellectual whose relentless desire prompts him to address highly obcene letters to his irmã (sister) Cordelia, a prudish and decorous woman. The narrative is often interspersed with the story of a poet named Stamatius (Tiu), who encontra (finds) Karl’s letters no lixo (in the garbage). The reader eventually comes to the realization that Karl and Tiu are actually the same person. The book raises questions of immorality, perversion and pleasure in a very unconventional narrative, told from manifold perspectives and merging various literary genres.

Espero que gostem! I hope you like it!

Check out our previous post about Brazilian literature: 

Brazilian Literature