'Subtle,skillful,and clear. It's so clear,in fact,that you can see a very long way down,into the heart of a flawed but valiant human being,into the sickness of a nation,into the depths of political evil. It's the most impressive novel I've read for years,and one of the very few that feels truly necessary'- Philip PullmanIn the sweltering summer of 1938,with Lisbon in the grip of Portugal's dictatorship of António Salazar,a journalist is coming to terms with the rise of fascism around him and its insidious impact on his work. Consumed by the passing of his wife and the child he never had,Pereira lives a quiet and lonely existence. One day,the young and charismatic Monteiro Rossi enters his life,changing everything. A man who once shied away from criticizing Portugal's authoritarian regime finds himself unable to stay quiet any longer,resulting in his political awakening and a devastating act of rebellion. Tabucchi's celebrated masterpiece is an ode to courage and solidarity in the face of political oppression.'A stunningly good novel,and it goes on getting better in one's head after one has stopped reading it - it works as an experience - something that has happened to one,which is of course the proof of great writing'Diana Athill
Publisher: Penguin Books LtdISBN: 9780241519301Number of pages: 160Weight: 123 gDimensions: 198 x 129 x 8 mm
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Mysterious,menacing,enthralling and mind-bending...a masterpiece of compressionPereira Maintains is small only in size. Its themes are great onescourage,betrayal,fidelity,love,corruption; and its treatment of them is subtle,skillful,and clear. It's so clear,in fact,that you can see a very long way down,into the heart of a flawed but valiant human being,into the sickness of a nation,into the depths of political evil. It's the most impressive novel I've read for years,and one of the very few that feels truly necessaryGripping and unexpectedBrilliant...you'll go on thinking about the characters for weeksA work in the high aesthetic mode,a historical novel cast in delicately evocative prose and filled with witty references to the great figures of modern European literature. In it Italians could examine their political consciences through an artful image of another country's past. The pleasures to be had from Pereira Maintains are rich and varied,but best of all it's very enjoyableTabucchi's prose creates a deep,near-profound and sometimes heart-wrenching nostalgia and constantly evokes the pain of recognizing the speed of life's passing which everyone knows but few have the strength to acceptA stunningly good novel,and it goes on getting better in one's head after one has stopped reading it - it works as an experience - something that has happened to one,which is of course the proof of great writingA brilliant,profound book that also manages to be a thriller
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