Baltasar and Blimunda by José Saramago: A Nobel Prize-Winning Novel in EPUB Format
Baltasar and Blimunda: A Novel by José Saramago
Baltasar and Blimunda is a novel by José Saramago, one of the most acclaimed and influential writers of the 20th century. Published in 1982, it is considered one of his masterpieces, along with Blindness, The Gospel According to Jesus Christ, and Death with Interruptions.
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The novel is set in Portugal in the early 18th century, during the reign of King John V and the Inquisition. It tells the story of Baltasar Mateus, a soldier who lost his left hand in a war against Spain; Blimunda de Jesus, a young woman with visionary powers who can see inside people's bodies; and Padre Bartolomeu Lourenço de Gusmão, a Jesuit priest who dreams of building a flying machine.
The novel combines historical facts with magical realism, creating a rich and complex portrait of a turbulent period in Portuguese history. It explores themes such as love, freedom, religion, power, oppression, science, art, and human nature.
Summary
The novel begins in Lisbon in 1711, where an auto-da-fé (a public execution of heretics) is taking place. Among the condemned is Blimunda's mother, who is accused of witchcraft for having seven moons in her eyes. Blimunda meets Baltasar at the event, and they fall in love at first sight. They decide to live together as husband and wife.
Blimunda reveals to Baltasar that she has a special gift: she can see inside people's bodies and souls when they are fasting. She calls this vision "the will", which she can collect in a glass jar. She also tells him that her father is João Francisco de Mota, also known as Sete-Sóis (Seven Suns), a wandering musician who plays a bagpipe made from his dead wife's skin.
Baltasar and Blimunda encounter Padre Bartolomeu Lourenço, who is working on a secret project: a flying machine that he calls the Passarola (the Big Bird). He needs Blimunda's help to collect the wills of the people who will power the machine. He also needs Baltasar's help to build the machine, since he has experience as a soldier and a craftsman.
The three of them embark on a series of adventures across Portugal and Spain, hiding from the Inquisition, the king, and the nobility. They witness the construction of the Mafra Convent, a monumental edifice ordered by King John V to fulfill a vow he made to his wife, Queen Maria Ana of Austria. They also meet historical figures such as Domenico Scarlatti, the Italian composer who worked at the Portuguese court; Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, the future Marquis of Pombal, who would become the prime minister of Portugal; and António José da Silva, the Brazilian playwright who was burned at the stake by the Inquisition.
The novel ends in 1739, when Padre Bartolomeu Lourenço dies in exile in Toledo, Spain. Baltasar and Blimunda manage to fly the Passarola for one last time, before they are separated by fate. Baltasar is captured by the Inquisition and taken to Lisbon, where he is tortured and killed. Blimunda spends nine years searching for him, until she finds his body in a mass grave. She buries him with dignity, and then disappears into the night.
Analysis
Baltasar and Blimunda is a novel that defies conventional genres and classifications. It is a historical novel that recreates a specific time and place with meticulous detail and accuracy. It is also a magical realism novel that introduces fantastical elements and events that challenge the boundaries of reality. It is a romance novel that depicts a passionate and enduring love story between two unlikely protagonists. It is also an adventure novel that narrates a thrilling and perilous journey across different lands and cultures.
The novel is written in Saramago's distinctive style, which is characterized by long sentences, complex syntax, minimal punctuation, frequent digressions, ironic humor, and an omniscient narrator who often addresses the reader directly. The novel also features Saramago's trademark intertextuality, which refers to the use of references and quotations from other texts and sources. For example, the novel quotes from or alludes to the Bible, Dante's Divine Comedy, Cervantes' Don Quixote, Camões' The Lusiads, Voltaire's Candide, and Swift's Gulliver's Travels.
The novel is rich in symbolism and allegory, which convey multiple meanings and interpretations. For instance, the Passarola can be seen as a symbol of human aspiration, creativity, and freedom; or as a symbol of hubris, folly, and danger. The Mafra Convent can be seen as a symbol of religious devotion, artistic achievement, and national pride; or as a symbol of vanity, extravagance, and oppression. The wills can be seen as a symbol of life force, spirit, and individuality; or as a symbol of manipulation, exploitation, and enslavement.
The novel also conveys a powerful message about the human condition and the role of history. It shows how history is shaped by both collective forces (such as politics, religion, culture) and individual actions (such as love, courage, curiosity). It also shows how history is often distorted by official narratives (such as chronicles, documents) and alternative perspectives (such as legends, memories). It challenges the reader to question the established truths and to seek their own understanding of reality.
Conclusion
Baltasar and Blimunda is a remarkable novel that showcases Saramago's literary genius and originality. It is a novel that blends history and fantasy, tragedy and comedy, realism and magic. It is a novel that celebrates love and life in all their complexity and diversity. It is a novel that invites the reader to embark on an unforgettable journey through time and space.
Why You Should Read Baltasar and Blimunda
If you are looking for a novel that will captivate your imagination and stimulate your intellect, Baltasar and Blimunda is an excellent choice for you. Here are some reasons why you should read this novel:
The Nobel Prize
José Saramago was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1998 for his works, including Baltasar and Blimunda . The Nobel Committee praised him for his "parables sustained by imagination, compassion The Magical Realism
Baltasar and Blimunda is a novel that belongs to the genre of magical realism, which is a literary style that combines realistic elements with magical or supernatural ones. Magical realism creates a sense of wonder and mystery, as well as a critique of reality. Baltasar and Blimunda is full of magical realism elements, such as Blimunda's vision, the Passarola's flight, the wills' collection, and the Mafra Convent's construction. These elements add depth and dimension to the novel, as they reflect the characters' emotions, desires, and conflicts.
The Romance
Baltasar and Blimunda is also a novel that tells a beautiful and touching love story between two unlikely lovers: Baltasar, a maimed soldier who has nothing to lose; and Blimunda, a visionary woman who has nothing to fear. Their love is pure, loyal, and strong, despite all the obstacles and hardships they face. Their love is also rebellious and subversive, as they defy the norms and expectations of their society. Their love is a source of hope and resistance in a dark and oppressive era.
The Adventure
Baltasar and Blimunda is also a novel that narrates an exciting and perilous adventure across different lands and cultures. The novel takes the reader on a journey through Portugal and Spain in the 18th century, showing the diversity and richness of their history, geography, art, music, religion, and politics. The novel also follows the exploits of Baltasar, Blimunda, and Padre Bartolomeu Lourenço, who encounter various dangers and challenges along the way. The novel is full of action, suspense, humor, and surprise.
How to Download Baltasar and Blimunda as an Epub File
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FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Baltasar and Blimunda:
Who is José Saramago?
What is the historical background of Baltasar and Blimunda?
What is the significance of the title Baltasar and Blimunda?
What are some of the main themes and symbols of Baltasar and Blimunda?
What are some of the literary influences and references of Baltasar and Blimunda?
Who is José Saramago?
José Saramago was a Portuguese writer who was born in 1922 and died in 2010. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest writers of the 20th century and one of the most important figures in Portuguese literature and culture. He wrote novels, short stories, poetry, essays, memoirs, and plays. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1998 for his works that "enable us to apprehend an illusory reality". Some of his most famous works include Blindness, The Gospel According to Jesus Christ, Death with Interruptions, and The Elephant's Journey.
What is the historical background of Baltasar and Blimunda?
Baltasar and Blimunda is set in Portugal in the early 18th century, during the reign of King John V and the Inquisition. This was a period of political, religious, and cultural turmoil in Portugal and Europe. Some of the historical events and figures that appear in the novel are:
The War of Spanish Succession (1701-1714): A conflict that involved several European powers over who would inherit the Spanish throne after the death of King Charles II. Portugal sided with England, France, and Austria against Spain, which resulted in several battles and losses for Portugal.
The Mafra Convent (1717-1730): A monumental edifice that was ordered by King John V to fulfill a vow he made to his wife, Queen Maria Ana of Austria, if she gave him a son. The convent was built with enormous costs and efforts, using thousands of workers, and resources from all over the country. The convent also included a palace, a basilica, a library, and a school.
Padre Bartolomeu Lourenço de Gusmão (1685-1724): A Jesuit priest who was a pioneer of aeronautics and physics. He invented a flying machine that he called the Passarola, which was based on the principle of hot air balloons. He also conducted experiments on atmospheric pressure, thermometers, and barometers. He faced persecution and censorship from the Inquisition and the Portuguese court, and died in exile in Toledo, Spain.
Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757): An Italian composer who worked at the Portuguese court as a music teacher and organist. He composed hundreds of keyboard sonatas that are considered masterpieces of baroque music. He also influenced the development of Portuguese folk music and fado.
Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo (1699-1782): A Portuguese statesman who became the prime minister of Portugal under King Joseph I. He is also known as the Marquis of Pombal, a title he received after the Lisbon earthquake of 1755. He was a reformer and a modernizer who implemented several economic, social, and political changes in Portugal. He also suppressed the Jesuits and the Inquisition, and rebuilt Lisbon after the earthquake.
António José da Silva (1705-1739): A Brazilian playwright who was born in Rio de Janeiro to a family of Jewish converts. He moved to Lisbon to study law, but became famous for his comedies and operas that satirized the Portuguese society and culture. He was arrested and tortured by the Inquisition several times, and eventually burned at the stake for practicing Judaism.
What is the significance of the title Baltasar and Blimunda?
The title Baltasar and Blimunda refers to the names of the two main characters of the novel, who are also the protagonists of the love story that is at the heart of the novel. The names Baltasar and Blimunda have some symbolic meanings and associations that relate to their personalities and roles in the novel. For example:
Baltasar: This name derives from one of the three Magi or Wise Men who visited Jesus after his birth. The name means "may God protect the king" or "king's protector". In the novel, Baltasar is a loyal and brave soldier who protects Blimunda and Padre Bartolomeu Lourenço from harm. He also loses his left hand in a war against Spain, which is a reference to another historical figure named Baltasar Carlos, who was the son and heir of King Philip IV of Spain, but died young.
Blimunda: This name is a variation of Belimunda or Belinda, which means "beautiful moon" or "beautiful serpent". In the novel, Blimunda is a beautiful and mysterious woman who has seven moons in her eyes. She can see inside people's bodies and souls when they are fasting. She also collects their wills in a glass jar to power the Passarola. She is associated with serpents because they are symbols of wisdom, healing, and transformation.
What are some of the main themes and symbols of Baltasar and Blimunda?
Baltasar and Blimunda is a novel that explores various themes and symbols that relate to the human condition and the role of history. Some of them are:
Love and Freedom: The novel portrays love as a powerful force that can overcome adversity, oppression, and fear. Baltasar and Blimunda's love is an example of freedom, as they choose each other despite their differences and difficulties. Their love also inspires them to pursue their dreams and passions, such as flying or seeing beyond appearances.
Religion and Power: The novel depicts religion as a source of both inspiration and corruption, depending on how it is used by those who have power. The novel criticizes the abuses and hypocrisy of the Catholic Church, especially the Inquisition, which persecutes anyone who dares to question or challenge its authority or dogma. The novel also contrasts the lavishness and extravagance of the Mafra Convent with the poverty and misery of the people who built it.
Science and Art: The novel celebrates science and art as expressions of human creativity, curiosity, and ingenuity. The novel praises the achievements and discoveries of Padre Bartolomeu Lourenço, Domenico Scarlatti, and other scientists and artists who contributed to the advancement of knowledge and culture. The novel also shows how science and art can be used for good or evil, depending on the intentions and ethics of those who practice them.
History and Memory: The novel questions the validity and reliability of history as a representation of reality. The novel shows how history is often distorted by official narratives that omit, manipulate, or falsify facts and events. The novel also shows how history is influenced by alternative perspectives that preserve, recover, or invent legends and memories. The novel challenges the reader to question the established truths and to seek their own understanding of reality.
What are some of the literary influences and references of Baltasar and Blimunda?
Baltasar and Blimunda is a novel that is influenced by and references several literary works and authors from different times and places. Some of them are:
The Bible: The novel quotes from or alludes to several stories and characters from the Bible, such as Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah's Ark, Abraham and Isaac, Moses and the Exodus, David and