Jose Saramago: biography, books

This master of words gave the world a beautiful sunny Portugal. For his talent, Jose Saramago was awarded the Nobel Prize and world fame. Today his works are read almost in all countries of the globe, films are shot on them, in which the leading actors of Hollywood take the main roles.

The depth of meaning, the accuracy of the figurative system, the delightful allegories and the versatility of the artistic world are the main features of his novels, not to mention the amazingly living heroes and creative manner, which combines the main tendencies of several literary trends.

Outstanding personality

By and large, it was thanks to Jose Saramago that the world began to talk about Portuguese literature and culture. In 1992, he founded the National Front for the Protection of Cultural Heritage in Lisbon, and in 1998 the author was awarded his highest award. The novels of this writer are usually attributed to magical realism, but in fact they are so multifaceted that they combine all the best that literature has given to the world today. But their main feature can be called, perhaps, a magnificent embodiment of the absolute idea of humanism, an attitude to preserve humanity in any conditions and situations. This position was especially vividly expressed in a novel called "Blindness", which today is considered one of the most famous and popular in the whole world.

The origin of the future writer

Could Jose Saramago, being a boy from a simple peasant family, imagine that he would one day become one of the leading representatives of the worldwide literary community of his time? Probably no.

Childhood of the master of the word was rather difficult - constant travel, lack of funds, early death of his elder brother, undoubtedly left a certain imprint on the creative personality of the future author of the world bestseller. Despite this, José Saramago was a very capable pupil, possessed of an inquisitive mind and a living imagination. Since the parents could not afford to pay a good school, at the age of 12 the boy was forced to start training in the technical sphere in order to be able to earn a living, as they say, with their own hands.

From the very bottom

After the completion of the training, Jose Saramago, whose books the whole world reads today, worked as a mechanic in a car repair shop for two years, after which he chose the path of an interpreter from which he eventually grew into a professional journalist. For some time, the future Nobel Prize winner worked as an assistant editor in Diário de Notícias, but due to political changes in 1975 he was forced to abandon his career and return to translation.

Already in a short time, Jose Saramago, whose books became a real literary sensation, declared himself as the author of works of art.

Falls and ups

Despite the fact that this man always felt himself a writer, his early creative experiences were unsuccessful. His real talent came to the world rather late. The most popular work of Saramago at the moment is, perhaps, the "Gospel of Jesus", but in many ways world-famous this book owes its rather scandalous history.

It's easy to guess that this book presents an alternative view of biblical history, which could not be liked by adherents of strict religious beliefs. The parable form of narration, the irony with which one or another views are illuminated, the very opposition of Jesus to the Old Testament Yahweh caused a rather large resonance and various responses. Nevertheless, a year after the publication of the novel "The Gospel of Jesus," Saramago was awarded the highest award - the Nobel Prize.

The topic of interest in general

It should be noted that the above work is not the only one of its kind. Considering himself an atheist, the writer, nevertheless, devoted a lot of his works to religious themes or ideas, close to it. For José Saramago, the "Gospel" was simply the most vivid expression of the declared idea of the triumph of human humanism over religious dogma, but both earlier and later it was reflected in the works and evoked a lively response to the readership of the whole world.

"Rising from the Earth"

Perhaps, this is the first work of the writer, received considerable publicity and won the love of millions. Already from the first lines of the novel, the reader is exposed to the incredible beauty of Portugal, striking in the riot of colors and some almost magical charm. But at the same time, the longing, the bitterness and pain for their homeland, expressed by Jose Saramago in every line, are striking.

Such fineness and accuracy with which the work is written, critics traditionally explain the origin of the writer from the peasant family. Even the surname of this author was formed erroneously and etymologically goes back to the popular name of the wild radish. Such a strong spiritual connection with the land, native to the writer, could not but find reflection in his works.

"Memories of the Monastery"

About this work, Jose Saramago, the Vatican's comments were really tough. Clearly expressed anti-clerical mood, reflected in this work, could not remain unnoticed and caused a furore. The sharpness of the situation was also given by the fact that the main heroine of the novel was the leader, which, of course, did not fit into the world view of people with strict religious beliefs.

Nevertheless, this book is usually compared with the novel by Umberto Eco "The Name of the Rose", which also became a worldwide bestseller.

"Blindness"

This work, perhaps, can be considered one of the most beloved readership. An original look at the apocalypse, an inimitable storyline, a characteristic creative manner and an unshakable faith in the triumph of humanity made the novel "The Blindness" world-famous. Moreover, on its motives the magnificent film which main roles in which have got to leading actors of the present has been removed.

"Double"

This work can rightfully be called one of the darkest and most difficult to perceive in the work of Jose Saramago. "Double" is a book that causes the reader to plunge as deep as possible into his own inner world, to realize that abyss that is inside each of us, to think about the issues of the universe and life. Perhaps, it is about her that you can find such contradictory reviews. Roman José Saramago "Double" sings enthusiastic praises and at the same time speak about it sharply negative. One thing is for certain: no one is indifferent after reading.

A special creative manner, a unique view of the world, striking in its beauty and accuracy, are the main features of Jose Saramago as the leading author of modern Portugal and one of the most significant figures in the world literature of our days. Coming from the simplest poor peasant family, he not only managed to achieve success and fame - he in some way changed the world, giving him a number of works, each of which can be called a real masterpiece. This is a literature that has become a bestseller around the world. These are books that have already become classics.