Tudo no mundo começou com um sim. Uma molécula disse sim a outra molécula e nasceu a vida. Mas antes da pré-história havia a pré-história da pré-história e havia o nunca e havia o sim. Sempre houve. Não sei o quê, mas sei que o universo jamais começou.
Join us on September 30, 7pm (GMT+1) for a discussion of A Hora da Estrela, a short gem by Clarice Lispector. There are a couple of English translations of this novella. I am familiar with the translation by Benjamin Moser, published by Penguin in 2014 — this one is very good. I heard the translation by Giovanni Pontiero, originally published by Carcarnet in 1986 (later by New Directions) is also very good but I’m not sure this one is easily available. If you can read in Portuguese, then you should do that!
To add a bit more theory to the session we’ll also discuss this article by Cynthia A. Sloan: The Social and Textual Implications of the Creation of a Male Narrating Subject in Clarice Lispector's “A hora da estrela”. Use the option to create an account as an independent researcher, and you should be able to access the article for free. If you have any problems, drop me an email.
About "A Hora da Estrela": "A Hora da Estrela" follows the story of Macabéa, a young woman living in Rio de Janeiro, as she navigates the challenges and complexities of life. Lispector's lyrical prose and metafiction draw readers into Macabéa's world, where she grapples with her own identity, aspirations, and the contrasts between the internal and external aspects of her life.
About the Author: Clarice Lispector was born in 1920, in Chechelnyk, Ukraine, later becoming a Brazilian citizen. Her unique writing style has left an indelible mark on the literary landscape. Lispector's works often delve into the depths of human emotions, exploring the intricacies of identity, and existence. She died in Rio de Janeiro, in 1977.