SARAMAGO, Jose.

Memorial do Convento.

Lisbon: Editorial Caminho , 1982.

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First Edition of Memorial do Convento; Inscribed by Jose Saramago to a Fellow Portuguese Author

First Portuguese edition of one of the Nobel Prize-winning author's most important novels, one in which launched his reputation internationally. Octavo, original illustrated wrappers. Presentation copy, lengthily inscribed and dated in 1987 by Saramago to noted Portuguese literary critic and essayist Ramiro Texeira. In near fine condition with light rubbing to the extremities.

The New York Times Book Review has said that Baltasar and Blimunda "[m]uch reverberates in memory after reading this enchanting novel, but most of all the love story which soars over the rest of the action like a flute above a heavy orchestra. Mr. Saramago, a writer of sharp intelligence, keeps this love story under strict control, free of pathos or sentimentality. It is of, and on, the earth." Indeed, "Saramago has produced a novel that is deeply imbedded in the history of his land yet moves in mystical realms. It is a romance and an adventure, a rumination on royalty and religion in 18th century Portugal and a bitterly ironic comment on the uses of power" (Walter Goodman, The New York Times). The book served as the basis for the opera Blimunda (1990), composed by Azio Corghi.