I understand that you also have felt nostalgia. However, you showed such nervousness, sadness, and dejection that it was an immense pain to read your little letter and understand that you were suffering.

It is truly heart-wrenching to see you in such a state. Your emotions seem to be overwhelming you, and it makes me want to reach out and offer some comfort.

I hope that you can find a way to cope with these feelings and move forward. Maybe it's time to take a break, do something you enjoy, or talk to someone you trust.

Remember, you are not alone in this. There are people who care about you and want to see you happy and healthy.

Please try to be kind to yourself and give yourself the time and space you need to heal.

Fernando Pessoa is a renowned Portuguese poet. The first book I read by him was truly captivating.

At the end of the book, there is a text written by Ophelia Querioz (edited by her nephew) about her encounter and relationship with Pessoa. Both the letters and the final text provide clues about Pessoa's personality (perhaps it would be more accurate to say personalities). The book vividly describes how simple and lonely Pessoa was without the need to search between the lines. For example, Pessoa says to Ophelia: "Never tell anyone that I am a poet, at most I write poetry."

Here is a statement about loneliness: "When I am sick, when my wing is broken or when I am sad, you cannot imagine how much I miss you."

There were also times when Pessoa doubted his lover's love: "If you don't love me, act as if you do, but do it so well that I don't notice."

Even when Pessoa proclaims his love, words seem insufficient: "Oh dear Ophelia! I cannot handle my misfortunes skillfully, I have no art to measure my inner conflicts; but I love you very much. Ah! To an infinite degree, believe me."

There are many lines in the book that can be underlined, but it may not be appropriate to add them to the comment to avoid being a "spoiler."

In short, it is a useful book for getting to know Pessoa. Reading a writer's love letters is always appealing.

Hamish: I wish I had known Pessoa and read his books before going to Lisbon.

Fernando Pessoa apaixonado!

He was in a state that was almost unrecognizable. Sweat was trickling down his forehead, and there was a cold sensation in his stomach. At the same time, his heartbeats were accelerating rapidly. It was as if his whole being was being consumed by this powerful emotion of love. He could feel his blood rushing through his veins, and his mind was filled with thoughts of the object of his affection.

For Fernando Pessoa, being in love was a profound and overwhelming experience. It was a force that he could not resist, and it had the power to transform his entire world. He was willing to do anything to continue this journey of love, to explore its depths and to experience all the joys and sorrows that came with it.

With each passing moment, his passion grew stronger, and he knew that he was in for a wild ride. But he was ready, ready to embrace whatever came his way, ready to let love take him to places he had never been before.

All love letters are

Ridiculous.

They wouldn't be love letters if they weren't

Ridiculous.

I also wrote love letters in my time,

Like the others,

Ridiculous.

Love letters, if there is love,

Have to be

Ridiculous.

But, after all,

Only the creatures that never wrote

Love letters

Are the ones that are

Ridiculous.

----------------------------------------------------------

Fragment of a letter dated November 29, 1920:

Let this of "other affections" and "other paths" go with you, Ophelinha, and not with me. My destiny belongs to another Law, whose existence Ophelinha is unaware of, and is increasingly subordinated to the obedience to Masters who neither consent nor forgive.

It is not necessary that you understand this. It is enough that you keep me with affection in your memory, as I, unalterably, will keep you in mine.

Pessoa is like a matryoshka doll, but not the one at the end. No matter how many times you open it, a different personality will always emerge, even if it is only in a minimal way. In this book, a different Pessoa can be clearly seen. Whether it is narrative, poetry, story, letter, or anything else that Pessoa transfers to paper, it penetrates the reader's spiritual world. This 'crazy' man, who is alone in his physical life but crowded in his abstract life, these letters are a good opportunity for those who want to get to know him a little.

"I don't accept the idea of writing to you. I want to talk to you, to always see you by my side. I shouldn't have to send you letters. Letters are signs of separation - at least, because we feel the need to write them, they are signs that we are apart from each other."

(p. 30)

“Aşk mektupları, aşk varsa eğer
Olmalıdırlar
Gülünç.”

Fernando Pessoa’s “Letters to Ophelia” book consists of the letters he wrote to Ophelia Queiroz during his youth. These letters contain deep clues related to the author's love, identity, and inner world. When reading the book, I constantly recalled “Letters to Milena”. The relationships of both authors were managed by distances, conflicts, and ebbs and flows. Moreover, Pessoa's identity division and inner struggles increased as the letters progressed.

Pessoa, especially in the last years of his life, had begun to consume alcohol heavily. He was particularly known for his addiction to absent (alcohol is not your friend). When he lost his life at the age of 47 in 1935, the cause of his death was recorded as cirrhosis. And before his death, he thought of Ophelia for the last time; “What a beautiful soul! What a beautiful soul…”

Additionally, Pessoa's complex personality and his unique way of expressing himself through these letters make “Letters to Ophelia” a truly captivating read. The book not only provides insights into his love life but also offers a glimpse into the turmoil and confusion that often accompany intense emotions.

His use of language and the vivid descriptions in the letters bring the characters and their relationships to life. It is as if we are peeking into a private world of love, longing, and self-discovery.

Overall, Fernando Pessoa's “Letters to Ophelia” is a remarkable work that showcases his literary talent and his ability to capture the essence of human emotions.

No one loves another, but only loves

what is in oneself, or what one supposes.

This statement presents a rather thought-provoking perspective on the nature of love.

It suggests that our affections for others may not be entirely selfless.

Perhaps we are attracted to certain qualities or characteristics in others that we either possess ourselves or desire to have.

Love, in this sense, could be seen as a reflection of our own self-interests and needs.

However, it is important to note that this does not mean that love is not genuine or meaningful.

Even if there is an element of self-involvement, the connection and emotions that develop between two people can still be deep and profound.

Moreover, love has the potential to grow and evolve, as we come to know and understand the other person on a deeper level.

Ultimately, while the idea that we love only what is in ourselves or what we suppose may hold some truth, it is just one aspect of the complex and multifaceted nature of love.

Ofélia is so repetitive in her letters that it prevented me from giving a better classification to the book.

I considered several times reading only those of Fernando.

The repetitive nature of Ofélia's letters makes it a bit tiresome to go through them.

It seems as if she is constantly saying the same things, which takes away from the overall enjoyment of the reading experience.

On the other hand, Fernando's letters might offer a different perspective and perhaps more interesting content.

By only focusing on his letters, I might be able to gain a better understanding of the story and the characters.

However, I also realize that skipping Ofélia's letters completely would mean missing out on some important details and emotions that she conveys.

So, in the end, I am still undecided as to whether I should continue reading both sets of letters or just focus on Fernando's.

Maybe with further reading, I will be able to make a more informed decision.

It is fundamental, in my view, to attempt to know Fernando Pessoa—if that is ever possible—and all of his revolutionary works before pondering the reading of this magnificent ‘book.’ What would be even more important is and was to know the much beloved ‘All love letters are ridiculous’ before reading a single phrase or word. Because only its title reflects everything that the book is: a huge collection of all the ridiculous love letters that Fernando Pessoa and Ofélia Queiroz once exchanged. When picking up this unique museum piece, it is necessary to keep in mind that everything we will interpret and retain will, naturally, be ridiculous… And that all of us will be equally ridiculous, since only the most ridiculous in each of us—or if you prefer the synonym passionate, according to Pessoa—would pick up someone else's correspondence, committing an act that is punished by law for… Reading love letters? All of them… Ridiculous? Uniquely and exclusively ridiculous?

Each extraordinary word copied in that exhibition of love that is not ours, just like all of our extraordinary feelings are, obviously, ridiculous. And when reaching the end of it, still with the same feeling of incomprehension and stupidity, it is then that we truly assume that all the memories we have of all the letters we read are that they are ridiculous, not us. And thus, the entire narrative becomes ridiculously unforgettable, brilliant and personal, because the ridiculous becomes legible and the legible becomes love. And then we truly understand the ridiculous: the whole book is ridiculous, all individuals are equally ridiculous and all the ridiculous is love.

"Lettere alla fidanzata", Fernando Pessoa, 1988.

The wonder of the "nomoro", that vague period preceding the official engagement.

Those shivers down the spine at the thought of seeing the beloved person.

The butterflies in the stomach.

"Everything started with glances, little notes, messages that he would leave on my desk." This is how Ophélia Querizoz spoke of when she found herself working in the same office as Pessoa.

A Fernando more "human", far from the perfection of the God of writing that we can read in the poems; even if at times the same "true life" of the Portuguese writer seems like a thought, as if "everything that was lived had been thought by someone else."

Pseudonyms and heteronyms always present.

Pessoa is fragile, jealous, and sometimes, ridiculous. Just like all those in love.

Recommended.

"All love letters are

ridiculous.

They wouldn't be love letters if they weren't ridiculous.

I too have written love letters in my time,

like the others,

ridiculous.

Love letters, if there is love,

must be

ridiculous.

But, after all

only those who have never written

love letters

are

ridiculous."

This work by Fernando Pessoa offers a unique perspective on love and the period before an official engagement. The description of the "nomoro" with its shivers and butterflies brings to life the excitement and anticipation of new love. Ophélia Querizoz's account of her experiences with Pessoa adds a personal touch, showing a more human side of the writer. The presence of pseudonyms and heteronyms adds an element of mystery and complexity to Pessoa's character. Overall, "Lettere alla fidanzata" is a thought-provoking and engaging read that will appeal to those interested in love, literature, and the human psyche.

Fernandito, you are crazy! But when you want to, you say such beautiful things. It's truly amazing how you can switch from being a bit wild and unpredictable to expressing such lovely words.

Maybe it's your charm that lies in this contrast. When you speak those beautiful things, it's as if a light shines through you, captivating those around you.

Your words have the power to make people stop and listen, to feel something deep within. Whether it's a compliment, a kind gesture, or a profound thought, you know how to touch the hearts of others.

So, keep being crazy Fernandito, and keep saying those beautiful things. Because in this world full of chaos and noise, your words are like a breath of fresh air, bringing a moment of beauty and inspiration.

“A mi exilio, que soy yo mismo.”

I constantly find myself ruminating on the words of Ersatz: “Pessoa escogió la literatura simplemente porque no podía escoger el amor.”

This statement makes me wonder about the complex relationship between art and love. Was Pessoa really driven to literature because he felt unable to experience love fully? Or was it a combination of factors? Maybe literature became his refuge, a place where he could explore his deepest emotions and desires without the fear of rejection or heartbreak. It's also possible that his inability to choose love was itself a source of inspiration for his writing. In any case, it's clear that Pessoa's work was deeply influenced by his personal experiences and emotions. And perhaps that's what makes his writing so powerful and enduring. As I continue to think about these words, I'm left with a sense of both wonder and sadness. Wonder at the beauty and complexity of Pessoa's work, and sadness at the thought that he may have felt so alone and unable to find love.