The book of chameleons by jose eduardo agualusa popmatters. The chameleon is central to the story and witnesses all the characters and their interactions with each other. A rising international literary star, angolaborn novelist jose eduardo agualusa has been compared to jorge luis borges and italo calvino influences, alas, all too visible in his american debut. The lowestpriced item that has been used or worn previously. Eduardo agualusa alves da cunha is an angolan journalist and writer born to white portuguese settlers a native of huambo, angola, he currently resides in both lisbon and luanda he writes in portuguese. The book of chameleons won the the independents foreign fiction award for 2007. He has previously published collections of short stories, novels, a novella, and in collaboration with fellow journalist fernando semedo and photographer elza rocha a. Description from goodreads the narrator of this novel is a rather charming lizard.
My fathers wives, by jose eduardo agualusa the independent. Only three of agualusa s seven novels have thus far been translated into english. Librarything is a cataloging and social networking site for booklovers. A consummate traveler, agualusa has been based for. The book of chameleons by jose eduardo agualusa librarything.
His latest novel, already on this years longlist, touches on similar motifs to. He has published seven novels, including creole, which was awarded the portuguese grand prize for literature and is a bestseller in seven countries. Click to read more about the book of chameleons by jose eduardo agualusa. The book of chameleons won the independent foreign fiction prize in 2007. The book of chameleons, by jose eduardo agualusa this is an angolan novel, originally written in portuguese. The protagonist of this book, an angolan albino called felix ventura, is a vendor of pasts. In the unusual mystery novel, the book of chameleons, from jose eduardo agualusa, the narrator is a gecko named eulalio. If you are the publisher or author of this book and feel. The book of chameleons 2006 won the independent foreign fiction prize in 2007. He is the first african writer to win the award since its inception in. The gecko lives in the house of felix ventura, an albino angolan who makes a living by creating and selling fabricated pasts to those who can afford his services. A novel by jose eduardo agualusa from amazons fiction books store. In 2007, the book of chameleons by angolan author jose eduardo agualusa won the independent foreign fiction prize. He is the author of the poetry collection at the heart of the forests, three books of stories, and the novels the conspiracy, the market of the damned, the rainy season, creole, and the book of chameleons, as well as lisboa africana, a collaborative project on lisbons african community.
Its a novel of ideas, a novel of challenges, a novel where all is not quite as it might seem, where everyone is a chameleon. A general theory of oblivion tells the real life story of ludovica fernandes mano, a portuguese woman who spent most of her life in luanda, angola. She demonstrates an exceptional aptitude for writing, and matthias, for a time, indulges her with reed pens, papyri, and other 16 c. His partnership with translator daniel hahn has won them both acclaim, most notably the independent foreign fiction prize in 2007 for the english translation of the book of chameleons. A general theory of oblivion was also nominated for the 2016 man booker international prize and his earlier novel the book of chameleons won the. Working in the fertile ground between fiction, philosophy, and. The book of chameleons is a book of changing identities, with most of the characters having at least some chameleonlike characteristics though it is, for the most.
The book of chameleons is a 2004 novel by jose eduardo agualusa, originally published in portuguese in 2004 under the title the seller of pasts and translated into english in 2006. Given a choice between life and books you must choose books. Everyday low prices on a huge range of new releases. Agualusa uses some of the tropes and tricks of magical realism to tell a looping, circular story that interrogates the nature of truth, the power of storytelling a. Agualusas novel though set entirely in angola feels very european in tone and content. Agualusa was awarded 75,000 personally, as the translator, daniel hahn, was entitled to a 25,000 share of the prize money.
I was intrigued by the premise, and also i like chameleons, but there are no actual chameleons in this story. Ana is the daughter of matthias, head scribe to herod antipas, tetrarch of galilee. The book of chameleons by jose eduardo agualusa, 9781905147656, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. The book of chameleons won the independent foreign fiction prize in. Further off we see the serenity of a river, and the trees embracing its banks. Agualusa won the independent foreign fiction prize in 2007 for the english translation of his novel the book of chameleons, translated by daniel hahn. The narrator of this novel is a rather charming lizard. Agualusa s work has been translated into dozens of languages and he became the first african to win the u. Whats the story behind angolas man booker international.
Agualusa s novel, which has roots in the magical realist tradition, is a sui generis work, refreshingly different, owing its primary allegiance to a specific time and place. The book of chameleons by jose eduardo agualusa felix ventura trades in an unusual commodity. Jose eduardo agualusa author biography, plus links to books by jose eduardo agualusa. The book of chameleons book by jose eduardo agualusa, daniel. Agualusa has been compared to jorge luis borges and italo calvino influences, alas, all too visible in his american debut. The book of chameleons by jose eduardo agualusa goodreads. Share the book of chameleons by jose eduardo agualusa. A general theory of oblivion is both more and less than its title.
Narrated by a gecko, the book of chameleons explores issues of identity as purchased pasts and reality collide, leading to a bewildering murder. Its an enjoyable read, with creative surprises and appealing twists. The book of chameleons book by jose eduardo agualusa. The book, said to be a tribute to borges, doesnt seem deeply rooted in africa, although the author, in an interview at the end of my edition, says the book. We watch the dawn light break over the acacia trees, the birds pecking at the morning, as though at a fruit. For agualusa, this book also begins two persistent themes in his writing. The book of chameleons jose eduardo agualusa, author, daniel hahn, translator, trans. Agualusa is the son of portuguese colonists in angola and the characters in the book of chameleons are largely of european descent. It was a quick read and like most novellas, it isnt long enough for me to get invested in the characters.