Jose Saramago

[FRANK III]

I've read several of this Portuguese's author's book...Many are set in Portugal...anyone know some of the places in his literature or are they pure fantasy. I'm sure many of the places actually exist. I've been to Lisbon several times, but never long enough to really absorb it.

My family is from the Northern part of Portugal, 30 minutes south of Oporto.

I practice architecture in New Jersey. My website is http://www.frankcunha.com

Frank III

p.s. If you are interested in Portuguese culture I suggest you try reading some this author's work, it's quite intense, metaphysical, and spatial. His writing transcends words, similar to
how an architect tries to transcend space.

[Rita Ochoa]

Saramago, the 1998 nobel prix winner and convict comunist, is one of the most famous writes. He's writting is famous for the complete lack of pontuation and controversial themes like the book "GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JESUS CHRIST " where Jesus is a "normal" man, with "normal" habbits and personality and where the catholic church is very well criticized. The places he talks about do exist, altough some are pure fiction but based on portuguese culture.


Saramago sees the rootedness in ordinary peoples' lives, with the intellect to see beyond the immediate, always with the presence of his erudite humour. My favourite (I confess I only read 4 of his books) is "ALL THE NAMES": not as meadiatic as the others, very pessimist, begins almost in a "kafka" style but goes further, achiving a great irony at the end.

Find out more at:
http://www.geometry.net/nobel/saramago_jose.php

I think here you can buy some of his books, translated to english:
http://www.mindbodyspirit.com.au/auth/s/saramagojose.htm
http://www.az-books.co.uk/a_Saramago__Jose.html
http://www.summers-books.com/saramago-jose.shtml
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0151004145/103-1355920-2459027?vi=glance
[url]
http://www.culturevulture.net/Books/JourneytoPortugal.htm
http://www.salon.com/books/review/2002/12/05/saramago/[/url]

ps. good website, Frank

[Rita Ochoa]

"We think that this so-called reality we invent is not only the only reality that exists, but the only reality that we want."

José Saramago

[Rita Ochoa]

I haven't read yet but are the book's pictures taken by Saramago himself ? I mean "viagem a Portugal" (Journey to Portugal)...

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1021101/asp/opinion/story_1342550.asp

[FRANK III]

no they are not taken by Saramago. There are credits for all the photographs on the covers of his novels.

Here are some links...

books.http://www.webster.edu/~corbetre/personal/reading.html - good book reviews, search for books by Mr. Saramago

José Saramago by Katherine Vaz for BOMB Magazine:

http://www.bombsite.com/saramago/saramago2.html

http://www.bombsite.com/saramago/saramago3.html

http://www.bombsite.com/saramago/saramago4.html

http://www.booksfactory.com/writers/saramago.htm

More:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=jose+saramago

...and my site: http://www.frankcunha.com

Frank III