A new literary direction that the Angolan writer Pepetela decided to try.

Jaime Bunda is the best detective in Angola and perhaps one of the best in the world! This character that came from the fertile imagination of writer Pepetela was based physically only in a boy who had an outstanding ass to say the least, but the rest is one of the most deliciously wicked and fun detectives I've ever read. I hold a huge passion for this policeman which is unique in its kind. I begin with the main character. Jaime is not beautiful, or physically agile as James Bond and does not have the higher intelligence of Sherlock Holmes, but is without a doubt, the best secret agent of the general investigation services. Above average. If you are convinced that this police adventures involves chases or shootouts you'll be disappointed as hell! Jaime Bunda thinks better with a full stomach . The writing of Pepetela brings us to an Africa full of aromas, scents and hues. The author describes Angola with great eloquence and sense of humor through a rich and flowing language which stand out the idiosyncrasies of the people, portrayed through the shenanigans that result from investigations of our dear friend and always hungry detective. It is such a pleasure reading so that, in the end we were salivating at some of the chapters that describe with great precision the viands with which our beloved secret agent delights himself. Pepetela only wrote two adventures for Jaime Bunda to my dismay and many of the great fans of this writer, but the two books he published for posterity are the best! Happy reading!

It is a reprint of a review about this historic African territory described by Manuel Pinto Rosario.

I propose once again a reference book on the history of a small country, a former Portuguese colony, Sao Tome and Principe. It is the anonymous report a contemporary of Manuel Pinto Rosario about the slave revolt led by Amador to which the priest had access and the portrait of the socioeconomic structure of the territory. The description covers the period from 1473 until 1734, year of completion. The historian Arlindo Caldeira is a reprint of this document with an introduction to the life and work of this church and explanatory notes on the text. One of the chapters I want to focus on is the life of one of the most famous personalities of the island, Amador. He was a captive slave born in St. Thomas who led the first major slave revolt in 1595. It all began on July 9 of that year with the killing of some white and ended twenty days after the surrender of slaves after an unequal struggle in every way. Although the insurgents were in greater numbers, historical sources cite 5000 slaves who took over the city, were largely unarmed and did not have any viable plan which precipitated their defeat. The leaders of the mutineers, the generals of Amador, were imprisoned and hanged after. As for the fate of this hero of Sao Tome, according to the document report from the Vatican, he was executed and quartered to serve as an example. But what was the importance of personality in the history of the island? Although the revolt was short-lived, the fact is that his small time frame they manage to destroyed more than half of the sugar mills, which precipitated the decline of industry in the archipelago, which never recovered after the uprising. Currently, Amador is considered a national hero, best known as King Amador of  Angolares, although there is no historical evidence to prove the veracity of this title, by the way some historians refute, it is thought that the legend comes from an oral tradition that dates back century XVI, who remains to this day in St. Thomas. For those who like history and more knowledge about the Lusophone countries and understand the course of Fr Manuel Pinto Rosario, this is a book to read carefully. Good Reading.

It is an inspiring book and sarcastic one about the Portuguese and their idiosyncrasies.

Miguel Esteves Cardoso, as well as a journalist, is an author. As he himself says, "a writer who really is, will write forever and ever." A statement, which fits him like a glove. He is a keen observer, perhaps inherently professional, of the contradictions that arise in Portuguese culture, through a biting writing, ironic and outspoken. He also decodes our social behaviors and gives them a name of his personal taste, which makes the text even more caustic and entertaining. His writing is delicious simply because he often point out the obvious, and it amuses us as a people. It also demoralizes the political class and that pleases more hordes of readers who follow him. It's my case and I'm not just talking about the caricatures of the alleged freely elected by the people, but also of us, the Portuguese in general. Why is this book so special? While reading it, it is impossible not to finish it without a brave and hearty laugh. Well, maybe in your case, a smile is more appropriate. These chronicles were published in the Express newspaper, and according to his own words: "the best are those who take a moment and to the air that are exposed to. With a cold they die the next minute. The chronicles that have less purpose are generally boring and holds out longer. But even these cannot turn their face to the wind. When they turn eventually indicate, indirectly where the wind blows. My impression is that this type of chronic is the one I prefer. “I also have the same impression; or rather I say that the texts of MEC (as he is affectionately called in Portugal) are my favorites in this type of journalistic style. I hope you like it as well. And as a provocation, begin to read, after the preface, of course (and I speak not by chance!) On page 9, the chronicle of the nobles, the muffins and stuck up fellows. Happy reading!

One of the great masterpieces of Portuguese literature. The portrait of a landlocked country in the Estado Novo.

When the wolves howl is a courageous book, taking into account the time which covers the era when it was edited and the shameless writing of the author. It is one of my favorite readings, by describing a country that never came to know, nor want. To understand that, I have to go back in time to the year of 1958, in the so called New State. This literary adventure had a very high cost to the writer Aquilino Ribeiro. His boldness was to challenge the regime through his writing, which had the immediate effect of an arrest warrant in his name and that all books were seized. Censorship came forcefully and the writer was considered persona non grata by Salazar. For the rest of the world, however, the author was loved beyond measure. His name was proposed for the Nobel Prize for literature at the time, an application containing more than one hundred names linked to Portuguese culture and public figures. Let us then, immerge on the story that raised such uproar at the time. Manuel Louvadeus is a man who returns to his hometown after ten years that run out on a breath, Arcabuzais, in the hills of kites, this beloved Beira. He had left behind a hard and impoverished life, with the promise of wealth in the Mecca of Brazil. The man, who goes to meet its origins, is not the same. He brings no wealth, returns as a richer human being, more cultured, with another view of the world around him. It is a man who rebels against the existing authorities, in defense of a people wronged by the law on vacant lots. A new legal framework that enforces the expropriation of community land to plant pine trees. A decision that ignites the anger of the mountain people, who depend on these lands for their daily survival. The rebellion begins. The central government, although far makes felt its heavy hand on the insurgents. What follows is a portrayed without subterfuge, without nuance, of the functioning of the political system at the time. It is the portrait of a great country, illiterate, impoverished and censored. Why wolves howl? Again, I prefer to be a spoilsport! To find out why this title, sorry, you will have to read this book. Happy reading!

Two Brazilian editions, bringing together 36 Japanese children's stories, by Floren Sakade and illustrated by artist Yoshisuke Kurosaki and Yoshio Hayashi.

It is a Brazilian edition, which can be read to children in Portugal, taking into account the new spelling agreement. It is unique in the world because it is in two languages, Portuguese and Japanese. It is a tribute to the largest Japanese community living outside the country of the rising sun. The stories are translated accurately to not alter or detract from its content, which strives to explain in a simple way the Japanese customs and traditions. They are charming stories that were orally transmitted for several generations of Japanese. It is recommended reading for the little ones, because they share the teachings of Nippon culture, some are ancient legends, others are moral tales, nonsense, engaging characters a bit strange, as is the case of tengus, supernatural beings with big noses. There are two volumes, which allow simple and so beautiful, (the illustrations are in charge of two accomplished artists in their country of origin), access to a culture which is far and still close and learn a language at the same time. Happy reading!

It is a mystery novel with the City of New York as a background.

John Tordo's writing is clear and sharply. Engages the reader by the complexity of their characters, their darkest fears and intricacies that end in a kind of redemption, such is the case of one of the main characters, a student that causes a death without full awareness of his responsibility in the tragedy, who unwittingly he provokes. From that moment on, he carries a weight, an eternal guilt, an invisible penalty for the loss of the love of his life. Our young initiate thus a path of self-destruction that will take him to the Memory Hotel in the heart of New York City. And then? Read it. I can only add that this book reminds me so much of the suspense films of Alfred Hitchcock, at the beginning we are cleverly induced to a story with an unexpected ending and suddenly, when everything seems determined, the real adventure begins! Good reading.

It is one of the greatest masterpieces of Portuguese literature. Portrays the gentle manners of Portugal. The idiosyncrasies of an era. The lyrical love between Charles and Eduarda.

I am biased person when concerns the work of Eça de Queiroz. I like this book so much that I reread often, at the most strange occasions. Drop everything and dive in the history of the house of the Bouquet. From the cursed manner of the Maia family. It is a great novel. It reflects the way we as a people be both a tragic-comic, a bit sarcastic, a bit provincial, a little sad and resigned to his fate. Let’s talk about the characters. Personally, though, I have certain affection for the romantic couple in this story, they are not really the characters that I enjoy most.

The grandfather, Alfonso, in my view, captures the best features of the Portuguese. His great generosity, a sense of pride, courage and stubbornness, wrapped in a layer of tenderness and compassion. A man faithful to its origins. Loyal to his friends. In opposite spectrum, we have the pseudo-poet, Ega. The charming womanizer. Always with the certain gestures and sticky words on the tip of this tongue. The typical Portuguese trickster that does not aspire to truly work, but live at the expense of others, and perhaps fame as a heartthrob and to be a writer in his spare time. Cursed by the husbands and always blessed by the women, even those who only read it. We justify all the adventures he gets involved. Forgave him everything. Why? I do not now! The third character, which in any way we can ignore, is the bouquet. The home of the Maias. The walls reflect the various cadences of the family tragedy that lies ahead and that culminates in the death of the patriarch. Its decline sublimes the dramatic story, much to the taste of the author, written with a perversity and at the same splendor, provoking intensely suffering to all his characters. I would even say that Eça was somewhat masochistic and brilliant at the same time. Of lyrical taste, little or nothing. Good reading.

It's confirmation of the talent of Gonçalo M. Tavares as one of the greatest writers of our time.

The book is an epic, not of a people but a single individual, Bloom, who decides to launch a trip to India in search of redemption, which he will not find in its internal space. It is an escape forward, which turns out to be complex literary exercise, as the author cleverly intersperses this journey more spiritual than physical with poetry, with the underlying idea of Lusiadas only in reverse. Everything happens to Bloom, in 1102 strophes and 10 chants. Like Camoes, Gonçalo M. Tavares, attacks, disgraces, shuffles and glorifies a hero, or anti-hero maybe? As always, I will once again be a killjoy and let the reader decide. It is not easy reading. It is innovative in many ways, has an inherent musicality that marks the beat of the action, like a baton, gives you the drama, the writer does not let us forget the reason that lead the main character to start this trip, almost unnatural or not. Read and reflect. Happy reading!

It is a deluxe edition that gives insight into a literary production of one of the greatest poets of modernism in Portugal.

Rattle-box
Oh, I'll put myself between blankets,
And I do not do anything else! ...
That door of my room to be closed forever,
That does not even open for you if you are here!
Red wool, fluffy bed. Everything is caulked
No book, no book at the headboard of the bed ...
Just make sure I always have by my side
Cakes, eggs and a bottle of Madeira.
Always the dark night on my room. The curtains drawn,
I nestled to sleep, nice and warm - how lovely! ...
Yes: always stay in bed, never move, mold
At least the quiet is complete ... History! It was the best of lives...
Mario de Sa Carneiro was one of the fathers of new poetry in Portugal. Contemporary and friend of Fernando Pessoa, both in conjunction with Almada Negreiros and other artists of their time founded the infamous at the time Orpheus magazine. This poet was always haunted by feelings of inadequacy and worthlessness, largely motivated by the fact of not having completed the university, has not really followed a profession and the failure of its publication, which was not very well accepted by society and that height is a recurring theme in his poems. It is believed that these were reasons that led him to suicide in 1916, since there is no concrete data that could confirm whether or not he suffered from a psychic disease. The rattle-box is an example of a poetic work, in which the poet fights with the existing structures of time and against himself. This publication also addresses the author's prose, with particular emphasis on the confession of Lucio. It is his masterpiece. A world that wanders between reality and a dream existence he created to serve once again to his obsession with suicide and death. This book is interesting because we can trace the profile of the enigmatic poet and writer and each of us can establish elations to try to understand his tormented soul. Good reading.

It is the story of two women in the realm of seventeenth-century Angola.

This is the first novel by Isabel Valadão and a true literary gem. Well done, there is a new writer! This book is about two completely different women, Maria Ortega, a mulatto that target exile in the colonies and Anna St. Michael, a noblewoman whose fate inexorably drift apart with the death of her husband. Apparently the two have nothing in common. One is the owner and the other one is free slave. The city of Loanda is the background of our history, will be the unifying bond of these two women warriors, who will join forces for a better world. The battle begins and they are the two protagonists of a historical novel full of action, dangers, joys and sorrows. I liked how the author built these two so fascinating personalities. Both are rich and full of nuances, in particular Maria Ortega. Loanda is the third character in this book. We see the beginnings of the capital of the kingdom of Angola, the daily life of one of the largest cities of the former colonies, the slave market controlled by the Portuguese and the battles for territory, during the seventeenth century. The scenario is described in a very vivid and eloquent language, Isabel Valadão writing is of great aesthetic beauty. Read with great intensity. I really enjoyed and I hope you will accompany me on this journey through the Portuguese world of the seventeenth century. Good read.