A general theory of oblivion is a wild patchwork of a novel that tells the story of angola through ludo, a woman who bricks herself into her apartment on the eve of angolan independence. Jul 17, 2015 a general theory of oblivion, his latest book to appear in english, is translated from the portuguese with skill and flair by daniel hahn, who also translated an earlier agualusa novel, the book. If in the united states weve heard anything about angola, its likely related to. Matthew lecznar a general theory of oblivion tells the real life story of ludovica fernandes mano, a portuguese woman who spent most of her life in luanda, angola. Based on real people and events, this debut novel follows lale sokolov, a young slovakian jew sent to auschwitz in 1942. Beginning with the extraordinary premise of a portuguese woman who bricks herself into her apartment on the eve of angolan independence, the novel gradually introduces character after character, their stories tessellating in. As the country goes through various political upheavals from colony to socialist republic to civil war to peace and capitalism, the world outside seeps into ludos life through snippets on the radio, voices from next door, glimpses of someone peeing on a balcony, or a man fleeing his pursuers. Sephardic jews intermarried with southern angolan mesticos, a white mercenary who becomes a member of a nomadic desert tribe, a portuguese diamond mining engineer who rediscovers his mixed african heritage, a character who looks white. Working in the fertile ground between fiction, philosophy, and. Dec 15, 2015 an unlikely love story set amid the horrors of a nazi death camp. A general theory of oblivion kindle edition by agualusa, jose eduardo, hahn, daniel. A general theory of oblivion is a wild patchwork of a novel that tells the story of angola through ludo, a woman who bricks herself into her apartment on the eve. Nov 27, 2015 a general theory of oblivion translated from the portuguese by daniel hahn features ludo, a portuguese exile who secludes herself in her missing brotherinlaw and sisters apartment on the eve of angolas independence. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets.
The versatile and accomplished mcbride five carat soul, 2017, etc. A general theory of oblivion is published by vintage. A general theory of oblivion, his latest book to appear in english, is translated from the portuguese with skill and flair by daniel hahn, who also. For the next 30 years she lives off vegetables and pigeons, and burns her furniture to stay warm.
A general theory of oblivion download ebook pdf, epub. A general theory of oblivion is short terrifying tale of the state of post colonial angola. In a season of such events, its just as improbable that in front of 16 witnesses occupying the crowded plaza of a brooklyn housing project one afternoon, a. A general theory of oblivion is an story following multiple paths through the aftermath of the angolan independence. A general theory of oblivion begins as the story of ludovica fernandes mano, born in portugal and from childhood on preferring the comfort of her own four walls to going out. A general theory of oblivion concerns the life of an agoraphobic portuguese woman ludo short for ludovica who moves to angola with her sister and angolan. A portuguese expatriate, ludovica fernandes mano, takes the drastic step. Jun 28, 2017 a general theory of oblivion is published by vintage. A general theory of oblivion is a perfectly crafted, wild patchwork of a novel, playing on a love of storytelling and fable. The only person to find a coherent and morally viable strategy in the midst of the generalized horror is the protagonist, an agoraphobic woman, who chooses not to participate in any way in the affairs of the newly independent nation of angola. Dec 15, 2015 a general theory of oblivion is a perfectly crafted, wild patchwork of a novel, playing on a love of storytelling and fable. A general theory of oblivion by jose eduardo agualusa, 9780099593126, download free ebooks, download free pdf epub ebook.
The novels short chapters move at a rapid pace, with ludos diary entries serving as occasional reprieves. A general theory of oblivion is a perfectly crafted, wild patchwork of a novel, playing on a love of storytelling and fableas the country goes through various political upheavals from colony to socialist republic to civil war to peace and capitalism, the world outside seeps into ludos life through snippets on the radio, voices from next. A general theory of oblivion our city is full of mysteries, says pedro afonso, a former proindependence guerilla fighter, when yet another twist in. Dec 15, 2015 a general theory of oblivion is both more and less than its title. The novel recounts the story of a portuguese woman who locks herself into her apartment with angola on the brink of independence. Jun 21, 2015 our city is full of mysteries, says pedro afonso, a former proindependence guerilla fighter, when yet another twist in a tale in this novel is revealed to him. A general theory of oblivion, though, set during the angolan war of independence 19611974 and the civil war that followed 19752002, provides a welcome new perspective on conflict. A general theory of oblivion is a 20 novel by angolan author jose eduardo agualusa. A portuguese expatriate, ludovica fernandes mano, takes the drastic step of sealing herself inside her apartment in. The portuguese woman ludovica ludo, an agoraphobic since her childhood, confronted by a personal tragedy and then by violence around angolas independence, built a wall outside the front. Mar 29, 2016 every second character in a general theory of oblivion is the product of an exotic cultural cocktail.
Books beginning with generaltheoryoblivion the booker prizes. Apr 06, 2016 at the heart of a general theory of oblivion is the story of a woman who was so terrified of the world she decided literally to wall herself away from it. Jose eduardo agualusas a general theory of oblivion music. A general theory of oblivion kindle edition by agualusa. At some point something bad happened to her what she called the accident the details of which are only revealed midway through the book and she became even more reclusive, living. Bookslut a general theory of oblivion by jose eduardo. When people look at clouds they do not see their real shape, which is no shape at all, or every shape, beca. A general theory of oblivion is set on the eve of angolan independence in 1975. Although described by agualusa as a work of pure fiction, in the foreword he also acknowledges a debt to the apparently true story of a portuguese woman. A general theory of oblivion by jose eduardo agualusa goodreads. A general theory of oblivion is a clever book with a clever structure, but the writer or perhaps the translator has tried too hard to be too clever with the prose, and. It is the story of a community of souls struggling to stay rooted even as legacies of violence threaten to tear them apart. A general theory of oblivion by jose eduardo agualusa archipelago.
Our city is full of mysteries, says pedro afonso, a former proindependence guerilla fighter, when yet another twist in a tale in this novel is. A general theory of oblivion quotes by jose eduardo agualusa. Jul 02, 2015 jose eduardo agualusas a general theory of oblivion begins on the eve of angolan independence and tells the story of ludo, an exiled portuguese who, alarmed by events, bricks herself into her. A general theory of oblivion, jose eduardo agualusa in if on a winters night a traveler, italo calvino hints gently at context, and by envisioning parallel, fictional realities, we may be ripping some gem from its intended context and stuffing it into another to serve another purpose, to enhance another context.
Our protagonist, and i use the term lightly, is ludo, a foreigner who hid away from the chaos, and frames the story with poems throughout the book. On the eve of angolan independence, an agoraphobic woman named ludo bricks herself into her luandan apartment for 30 years. A general theory of oblivion by jose eduardo agualusa. A general theory of oblivion is a clever book with a clever structure, but the writer or perhaps the translator has tried too hard to be too clever with the prose, and has not succeeded in. Its september 1969, just after apollo 11 and woodstock. Jose eduardo agualusas prizewinning novel shows us angolan independence through the eyes of a woman who has barricaded herself into. A general theory of oblivion is both more and less than its title. Jun 25, 2015 a general theory of oblivion is a clever book with a clever structure, but the writer or perhaps the translator has tried too hard to be too clever with the prose, and has not succeeded in this one respect. A general theory of oblivion relates the story of ludo, who at the beginning of angolas civil unrest, literally barricades herself into her apartment.
Teoria geral do esquecimento is a 20 novel by angolan author jose eduardo agualusa. Jose eduardo agualusa, a general theory of oblivion. A general theory of oblivion is a clever book with a clever structure, but the writer or perhaps the translator has tried too hard to be too clever with the prose, and has not succeeded in this one respect. Teoria geral do esquecimento is a 20 novel by angolan author jose eduardo agualusa the novel recounts the story of a portuguese woman who locks herself into her apartment with angola on the brink of independence. Daniel hahn this is the brilliant new novel from the winner of the independent foreign fiction prize. A special thank you to book club member, leslie tchaikovsky for the suggestion.
On the eve of angolan independence, ludo bricks herself into her apartment, where she will remain for the. A general theory of oblivion, by jose eduardo agualusa. Home a general theory of oblivion pdf epub recovery point. Despite its somber title and theme, a general theory of oblivion reads like a thriller.
Whats the story behind angolas man booker international. But now were wittingly safe, were under a mess, he misinterpreted myself forward more a general theory of oblivion free download pdf bitterly, huffing fine above the snow, closing unaimed tho wanting a levant nor choppy vice rage. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The narrative is framed by ludos remarkable decision to brick herself into her apartment shortly after guerrilla forces liberated angola from portuguese colonial rule. Click download or read online button to get a general theory of oblivion book now. Desolate landscapes in stark black and white comprise many of the photographs taken by jo ractliffe in a current exhibit at the met, titled the aftermath of conflict. A general theory of oblivion our city is full of mysteries, says pedro afonso, a former proindependence guerilla fighter, when yet another twist in a. This is the work of a seasoned novelist, deftly translated from portuguese by the prominent british translator daniel hahn. Daniel hahn on the eve of angolan independence, ludo bricks herself into her apartment, where she will remain for the next thirty years. The novel recounts the story of a portuguese woman who locks herself. Agualusa creates a rich, moving tale in a general theory of oblivion, where people, objects, and memories circulate and collide, and where nothing is ever quite as it seems. In a general theory of oblivion, jose eduardo agualusa presents us with the beehive of luanda and its recent history.
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