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Alan's Reviews > The Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas
The Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas
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10th book from my reading challenge with Ted.
# 19 - Read a book set in South America.
I had this on the list for a few years, but finally decided to pick it up a couple of weeks ago. I have done almost no research on Machado de Assis, but random articles and videos here and there have conveyed how important he is to Brazil, Brazilian literature, and the South American literary landscape in general. All I knew about the book was that it was being narrated/written by an already dead protagonist. Said protagonist, Brás Cubas, is clearly a funny man (was?) � I didn’t laugh out loud or chuckle much, but I was amused at how he was able to put his entire life into perspective. For me, that’s the strength of the book. You are seeing life in hindsight, so you (as the narrator) can say whatever there is to say about it. You can say all that there is to say about it, without fearing judgment.
Once I finished the book, I was slightly conflicted. This droll brand of presenting information didn’t sit so well with me. I let it sit a couple of days, thinking about what that feeling was. I think I have somewhat of an idea now. The book is experimental, metaphysical, culturally sensitive, self-aware, and most importantly, deeply existential. I was uncomfortable, because I had never had existential matter presented to me in such a “frivolous� manner. I was used to the pomp associated with (and I refer to this work often, I know) The Magic Mountain, or the gravity of Buzzati, or perhaps even the thought-provoking structure of the works of Borges. This was not that. Short chapters, some one or two sentences at most. Some without words. What you’re left with is the portrait of a life, exactly and precisely as it was. The narrator can look back and see his decisions in hindsight, understanding them backward, after having lived his life forward. As a result, it’s interesting to see what he focuses on. Entire portions are cut out because he now knows that they were insignificant. What is significant, then? Exactly what you would assume. Moments of love. This is a great shoulder shrug of a book.
# 19 - Read a book set in South America.
I had this on the list for a few years, but finally decided to pick it up a couple of weeks ago. I have done almost no research on Machado de Assis, but random articles and videos here and there have conveyed how important he is to Brazil, Brazilian literature, and the South American literary landscape in general. All I knew about the book was that it was being narrated/written by an already dead protagonist. Said protagonist, Brás Cubas, is clearly a funny man (was?) � I didn’t laugh out loud or chuckle much, but I was amused at how he was able to put his entire life into perspective. For me, that’s the strength of the book. You are seeing life in hindsight, so you (as the narrator) can say whatever there is to say about it. You can say all that there is to say about it, without fearing judgment.
Once I finished the book, I was slightly conflicted. This droll brand of presenting information didn’t sit so well with me. I let it sit a couple of days, thinking about what that feeling was. I think I have somewhat of an idea now. The book is experimental, metaphysical, culturally sensitive, self-aware, and most importantly, deeply existential. I was uncomfortable, because I had never had existential matter presented to me in such a “frivolous� manner. I was used to the pomp associated with (and I refer to this work often, I know) The Magic Mountain, or the gravity of Buzzati, or perhaps even the thought-provoking structure of the works of Borges. This was not that. Short chapters, some one or two sentences at most. Some without words. What you’re left with is the portrait of a life, exactly and precisely as it was. The narrator can look back and see his decisions in hindsight, understanding them backward, after having lived his life forward. As a result, it’s interesting to see what he focuses on. Entire portions are cut out because he now knows that they were insignificant. What is significant, then? Exactly what you would assume. Moments of love. This is a great shoulder shrug of a book.
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Reading Progress
Started Reading
July 19, 2023
– Shelved
July 19, 2023
– Shelved as:
origin-brazilian
July 19, 2023
– Shelved as:
moose-tea
July 19, 2023
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Finished Reading
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Jul 19, 2023 08:48AM
I do love an existential examination. I’ve looked at this book before and decided to give it a pass. I’ve changed my mind. Thanks for that ~
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Timothy wrote: "I do love an existential examination. I’ve looked at this book before and decided to give it a pass. I’ve changed my mind. Thanks for that ~"Awesome to hear, thanks Timothy. I think it will be pretty easy to decide on whether you want to continue with it or not, once you do start - those short chapters are blessings.
I read this book but damned if I can recall much any of it. I'd have to find and reread my own review for that. Still, I didn't even recognize it as "existential" at the time (unless my review tells me otherwise -- in hindsight, I mean).Now I wonder if reading this falls under the "significant parts of my life" or "insignificant." I'd rather play that game about each day (at the end of it, I mean). Even *that* might be a challenge. It all depends on your definition and I'm sure none of us would agree.
Ken wrote: "I read this book but damned if I can recall much any of it. I'd have to find and reread my own review for that. Still, I didn't even recognize it as "existential" at the time (unless my review tell..."I can totally see this not being as memorable as other works, Ken. And good point - lord knows there are days when the only thing of worth that I have done has been to eat, and those are very much significant. Who knows.
