Lettres à la fiancée

... Show More
Ler a correspondência alheia é, alerta-nos a autoridade, atividade criminosa. Que o leitor amigo aceite, portanto, o saboroso convite a um ilícito voyeurismo: trata-se de desvendar as cartas amorosas de um dos maiores poetas do século passado, o português Fernando Pessoa. Se todo homem é um universo de percepções, sonhos e experiências, a alma multiforme de Pessoa cindiu-se numa miríade de galáxias, desveladas pela esquizofrenia literária da heteronímia. O poeta são poetas, e é esse parnaso pessoal, composto por filósofos panteístas, médicos aristocráticos, engenheiros futuristas, escrivães misantropos, que constitui um dos maiores desafios ao entendimento desse pequeno funcionário português, desse cultor da astrologia e do ocultismo, do homem metódico dado ao vício do álcool, da carne que se fez verbo, coerente com a troca de sinal da mensagem do evangelho que representou seu projeto de existência. Nas cartas a seguir, endereçadas por Fernando Pessoa a sua amada Ophélia, é impossível não reconhecer os ecos de outra célebre epistolografia literária, aquela trocada por Franz Kafka e sua noiva, Felice Bauer; ambos, Kafka e Pessoa, foram burocratas medíocres, que consumiram a vida no processo monomaníaco de encontrar o sumo da existência, transmutada na obra (talvez não fosse de todo incorreto afirmar que, para Pessoa e Kafka, parodiando os versos do primeiro, escrever é preciso, viver não é preciso), ambos vivendo paixões fadadas ao fracasso, repletas de extremado apego e de obsessões neuróticas. Como apontará o romancista italiano Antonio Tabucchi, estudioso dos labirintos de Pessoa, na notável introdução ao volume, devemos enfrentar as desventuras epistolares do poeta português com olho armado, e uma saudável dose de perspicaz ceticismo. Quem era tantos (ou um outro, na formulação famosa de outro poeta, Rimbaud, que no exercício de sua clarividência percebeu uma das fraturas mais fundamentais da modernidade) não pode mesmo se ex[...]

136 pages, Paperback

First published January 1,1978

About the author

... Show More
Fernando António Nogueira Pessoa was a poet and writer.

It is sometimes said that the four greatest Portuguese poets of modern times are Fernando Pessoa. The statement is possible since Pessoa, whose name means ‘person' in Portuguese, had three alter egos who wrote in styles completely different from his own. In fact Pessoa wrote under dozens of names, but Alberto Caeiro, Ricardo Reis and Álvaro de Campos were – their creator claimed – full-fledged individuals who wrote things that he himself would never or could never write. He dubbed them ‘heteronyms' rather than pseudonyms, since they were not false names but “other names”, belonging to distinct literary personalities. Not only were their styles different; they thought differently, they had different religious and political views, different aesthetic sensibilities, different social temperaments. And each produced a large body of poetry. Álvaro de Campos and Ricardo Reis also signed dozens of pages of prose.

The critic Harold Bloom referred to him in the book The Western Canon as the most representative poet of the twentieth century, along with Pablo Neruda.

Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 89 votes)
5 stars
36(40%)
4 stars
22(25%)
3 stars
31(35%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
89 reviews All reviews
July 15,2025
... Show More

Amor louco, which means "crazy love" in Portuguese, is a concept that has intrigued and fascinated people throughout history. It represents a love that is intense, passionate, and all-consuming. This kind of love can make people do things they never thought possible, take risks they would otherwise avoid, and sacrifice everything for the one they love.


Amor louco is not just a feeling; it is a state of being. It can transform a person's life, bringing both joy and pain, happiness and heartbreak. It is a love that is often described as wild, untamed, and uncontrollable. Those who experience it may feel as if they are on a rollercoaster ride, with emotions that range from ecstasy to despair.


Despite its intensity, amor louco is also a beautiful and precious thing. It can give meaning and purpose to life, and create memories that will last a lifetime. Whether it is a love between two people, a love for a place or a thing, or a love for a cause, amor louco has the power to change the world.

July 15,2025
... Show More
The gods give us little, and what they give is often false.

However, if they do give, no matter how false it may seem, the gift is still true in a sense.

I accept it, closing my eyes. It is enough.

What more could I want?

This thought reflects a certain attitude towards life and the things that come our way.

We may not always receive what we expect or what we think is perfect, but perhaps we should learn to see the value in what is given, even if it is flawed.

After all, in the grand scheme of things, what we have may be more than we realize.

Maybe we should stop longing for more and be content with the little that we do have.

For in acceptance, there can be a kind of peace and fulfillment that we might otherwise miss.

So, let us embrace the gifts of the gods, false or not, and find joy in the present moment.

July 15,2025
... Show More
The book has no literary value at all.

It contains letters that refer to insignificant details of the daily life of two people who claim to be in love.

These letters seem to be rather mundane and lack any depth or complexity.

There is nothing particularly interesting or engaging about the content.

It fails to capture the essence of true love or offer any profound insights.

Readers may find it乏味 and unfulfilling.

The language used in the letters is also quite ordinary and does not add any charm or elegance to the narrative.

Overall, this book is a disappointment and does not deserve to be considered as a work of literature.

It may be suitable for those who are interested in the琐碎 details of other people's lives, but for most readers, it will likely be a forgettable read.
July 15,2025
... Show More
Kafka's "Million Letters" has an Ofelia version.

This version presents Kafka's work in a unique and interesting way. Ofelia, perhaps, brings her own perspective and interpretation to the story.

The million letters in Kafka's original work might hold countless mysteries and emotions. In the Ofelia version, these letters could be explored and presented in a new light.

Maybe Ofelia emphasizes certain aspects of the letters, such as the themes of isolation, alienation, or the search for meaning.

She could use different literary devices and techniques to enhance the impact of the story.

The Ofelia version of Kafka's "Million Letters" might offer readers a fresh and engaging experience, allowing them to see the work from a different angle.

It could also inspire new discussions and interpretations about Kafka's writing and the universal themes it explores.

Overall, the Ofelia version of "Million Letters" has the potential to be a valuable addition to the Kafka canon.
July 15,2025
... Show More
It is an established fact that Fernando Pessoa never married and that Ofélia was his only girlfriend (known, at least). Therefore, reading these letters is, at the very least, painful. There is not a single letter in which Ofélia does not ask Pessoa, directly or between the lines, to marry her. Something that Fernando completely ignores and mentions only once in more than 2 years of letters and 10 years that separate the two moments in which they have a relationship, to say that he doesn't know if he will ever marry.

It took me 7 months to complete the reading of this book, which says a lot about the tiring pace of these letters. From the second relationship - 1929 - there are only letters from Ofélia, simply because Pessoa does not deign to respond. Then, due to the natural repetition of Ofélia's unilateral daily life, whose themes are constantly the same, my delay arises.

It was still something dear, because they are largely love letters, and hence my rating of 3+ stars. Still, it is sad to read, the helplessness of Ofélia as a result of an "unrequited love" or at least very abnormal - what would be normal coming from Fernando Pessoa? - and that she lives so intensely was a topic with which I related a lot to her.

I also add the book as a historical source of interest about dating and marrying in Portugal in the 1930s, as well as the reality of being a woman at that same time: submission to the husband and the taboo of menstruation are two topics included in the letters and about which I very much enjoyed reading.
July 15,2025
... Show More

It is extremely beautiful. How interesting it is to see such a vulnerable and intimate side of one of my favorite authors. It is fun to understand his mind and how he dealt with his relationships. The book is light and easy to read.

This gives us a unique opportunity to peek into the inner world of the author. We can observe his emotions, thoughts, and experiences that might have influenced his writing and his life in general. By delving into this aspect of his being, we gain a deeper appreciation for his work and a better understanding of the person behind the words.

The light and easy-to-read nature of the book makes it accessible to a wide range of readers. It doesn't require a great deal of effort or prior knowledge to enjoy. Whether you are a die-hard fan of the author or simply looking for an interesting read, this book has something to offer. It can be a quick escape into the author's world or a thought-provoking exploration of human relationships.

July 15,2025
... Show More

نجمان.. حرفان جفَّ حبرهما.. أَفِلا
This seems to be a rather mysterious and perhaps somewhat cryptic expression. It might imply a sense of something being incomplete or unfinished. The mention of "حرفان جفَّ حبرهما" could suggest that the letters or words are lacking in some way, as if they are waiting for something more to be added or completed.


And then there is the question "أَفِلا", which might be asking if this is the case. It gives the impression of a certain uncertainty or疑惑.


However, the following line "بقى. و هوَ لا يُحبُّ الآفلين!" adds another layer of complexity. It could mean that something remains, and that this something does not like the "آفلين". But what exactly are the "آفلين"? Without further context, it is difficult to determine.


Overall, this passage leaves a lot to the imagination and invites the reader to try and make sense of its hidden meanings.

July 15,2025
... Show More
I have just finished reading this little book and think about how pure the love of these two lovers in the 1920s was.

In this small book, the letters that Fernando Pessoa wrote to his beloved Ophélia are collected. They could not make their story public, so he delivered a sheet with words of love to her every day, and in order to see her even for just one minute a day, he passed every morning under her window.

Their story was made up of walks through the hidden streets of the city and love letters. Their love affair ends when he decides to be hospitalized in a psychiatric clinic. "To see if I can find a cure that allows me to resist the black wave that is crashing on my spirit," Fernando writes in one of the last letters to his beloved. He ends their story with the hope of being able to recover within a year to go and live with her, sleep with her, and wake up every morning with her.

However, despite the great love, they will never be together again.

This tragic love story touches our hearts deeply. It makes us realize that sometimes, even the most beautiful loves have to face difficult challenges and may not have a happy ending. But still, the memory of their love will always remain in our hearts, like a precious gem that shines forever.
Leave a Review
You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.