World Portuguese Language Day: Five choices by Marta Cravo
In the week in which we celebrate the World Portuguese Language Day, on May 5, the Universidade Católica Portuguesa will be presenting the literary works chosen by three members of the academic community to commemorate the Portuguese language.
Get to know the choices of Marta Cravo, from UCP's Bookshop, to read on this World Portuguese Language Day:
When I look through the books here at home, with some disturbance I realize that most are written by men and foreigners. So, today I decided to choose 5 women that represent Portuguese language literature for me.
1. Maria Judite de Carvalho
DIÁRIOS DE EMÍLIA BRAVO
It took 20 years after the author's death for her complete work to be published. Many have read "Tanta Gente, Mariana" at school, but there's a whole body of work undiscovered. Here, Maria Judite is Emília Bravo and these sublime chronicles were written in the 70s and published in "Diário de Lisboa". An essential book.
2. Dulce Maria Cardoso
O RETORNO
The Portuguese publishing world has always known how to give voice to Maria Dulce. "O Retorno" is one of her most recent books (well, it has already celebrated 10 years) and, for me, the best. A subject that continues to haunt the lives and conversations of many families in Portugal. Not to be missed.
3. Rachel de Queirós
O QUINZE
We cannot celebrate the Portuguese language without leaving our small rectangle by the sea. For a Portuguese person, trying to get to know Brazil and its literature is a Herculean task. So, I suggest Rachel de Queirós' first novel. If only for the curiosity aroused by the comment that Graciliano Ramos made to the author when he read it for the first time: "she's a man", "I got the stupid idea that she was a man, so strong was in me the prejudice that excluded women from literature".
4. Isabela Figueiredo
A GORDA
I met her with "Caderno das Memórias Coloniais", I bring her along with Adilia Lopes, probably for her shameless writing. Here, everyone should know the story of Maria Luísa, the fat girl.
5. Ana Pessoa
SUPERGIGANTE
Ana Pessoa is a modern-day Alice Vieira. A great choice for adults who like children's books but are a bit shy. Her books are small works of art. Beautiful illustrations with an impeccable narrative.