Baltasar and Blimunda

Author:

Jose Saramago (1998 Nobel Prize for Literature recipient)

Overview:

In 18th century Portugal, Baltasar returns from war having left a piece of himself behind (literally: his left hand). When Blimunda loses her mother to exile for heresy, she finds Baltasar at her side. In spite of their losses, they adventures together throughout the years: building a basilica, flying a passarola, and gathering of hundreds of wills through Blimunda’s use of the sight.

Review:

The author, no doubt, is a master of words (he collaborated with multiple translators until being satisfied with the current English). The parts with the love stories and Blimunda’s gifts were too small compared to the lengthy descriptions of the mundane elements that had no impact on their relationship. That said, the final 30 pages reinvigorated my excitement about the book and finished strong enough to redeem my opinion of the book as a whole.

FINAL RATING:

3.5 Stars

Beverage and Tasting Pairing:

We’re lucky that this book’s wine choice came straight from the text itself. We learn that Baltasar is no stranger to the drink, and his vice of choice is wine.

Break your fast with Blimunda by pairing with some bread first.

Ominous foreshadowing:

“…this is the wild conversation of someone who has been too close to the sun and has had too much to drink, if you hear me talk nonsense, it’s either because of the sun I caught or because of the wine that caught me.”