Description

Thought-provoking and lyrical, The Notebook records the last year in the life of Jose Saramago. In these pages, beginning on the eve of the 2008 US presidential election, he evokes life in his beloved city of Lisbon, revisits conversations with friends, and meditates on his favorite authors. Precise observations and moments of arresting significance are rendered with pointillist detail, and together demonstrate an acute understanding of our times. Characteristically critical and uncompromising, Saramago dissects the financial crisis, deplores Israel’s punishment of Gaza, and reflects on the rise of Barack Obama. The Notebook is a unique journey into the personal and political world of one of the greatest writers of our time.

Publisher Review

Beautifully crafted and honest, Saramago's notebook is elegant in tone and style while clearly conveying a legend's take on our evolving society.A" Publishers Weekly Fascinating and smart and provocative, and a lot of fun to dip into.A" New York Times An often sharp, sometimes mischievous, engagement with the world - Such shafts of sanity and humour will be missed.A" Maya Jaggi, Guardian In readably provocative style, with offbeat riffs on his life and writing, on ideas and histories - This is a bittersweet delight.A" Boyd Tonkin, Independent Saramago enjoys picking up a passing thought or an incident and running with it, confident in his political outrage, calm in his appreciation of friends, considered in his aphoristic criticism of culture.A" Iain Finlayson, The Times