(Anotações pessoais)

It is difficult to talk about a book with emotional value.

The debate at the end is very, very interesting. I say debate because it invites interaction with the book and not just absorption. Well, the critic Luiz brings up two questions: that of the mysterious magical symbolism and that of the so-called baroque style:

The first becomes a problem when it proposes a "non-critical" view of the world, naturalizing things as if they had a spontaneous generation through an intangible unknown phenomenon. The possibility of "salvation" would be that Rosian prose is not just the magical, but the affirmation of the positive, which gains contour from the contrast with the magical. To a certain extent, perhaps. I think up to the point where the characters and events have a depth beyond what is said, where the reader can ask: "is it possible that?". But the problem of non-critical is not just a problem of being able to reach reality in a positive way. It is a problem of history, of interpretation, of understanding social relations and how they generate and transform social realities. In this sense, I would ask if there is criticism in Guimarães Rosa's narrative from other points (uncomfortable?): what is the proposal when talking about voices that are generally silenced? Or, in whose name is one speaking? Does he insert the voices of these people into literature or does he speak for them as someone from the outside and in a position of power? When he talks about race, are the descriptions and even the discourse about the characters a mark of a Brazil that emerged structured in racism or are they a way for the author to affirm this racism through literature?

The second question, about baroque style in general. Probably the best-known characteristic of Rosa's text is the subversion of language and, while it is an exploitation of the various possibilities of language, it brings a creative power. However, in the author's style, the marks of the brushstrokes stand out, as the critic Luiz puts it. More than in other works, I personally felt as if I were "reading" a child's magic cube or the score of a complicated study for strings by Bach. And not just because of the syntactic inversions, but because of all the poetry of the text, because of the breaking of alliterations and metaphors and even the choice of words that sometimes seemed more of a problem - this word goes here. And even more the metalanguage, the child playing poet, for me this image remained very marked, mainly because sometimes suddenly the child goes and does a miracle with speech, as sometimes it seems that I am looking at the magic cube and it releases some wisdom about life, the world and people. In short, I don't understand literary criticism, but the thing about baroque style made sense to me. In the same way, as I put it, Guimarães Rosa's writing opens up many possibilities and I find this fascinating. It does not end in one question or the other. But a mental note to research more about this specific point.

Edit (05/08/2024)

On the first reading, I didn't think about death, but about an absent father from the past century, a shadowy figure, closed, who does not share feelings or experiences, incomprehensible to a child. I thought about grandfathers, great-grandfathers, great-great-grandfathers and what it must have been like to be a man until a while ago and if this is changing and also about how we assume or not the burdens of our parents, the rights, the wrongs, the possible imperfect etc etc.

Reading some comments, the loss really is a metaphor that makes so much sense.

The idea of a third margin also reminds me of an alternative that is not what is given, of creating indeed, of completely refusing the possible options. In the book, this seems to alienate the father and, subsequently, the son as well, from the flow of life, from relationships with people. I don't need to ask why someone would do this, because I alienate myself from the flow of life all the time for any reason, but I do wonder if it's worth it, if it makes sense.

I put the most recent date because every time I read it, it's as if another me had read it.

This feeling is quite strange and interesting. It's like there are different versions of myself experiencing the same thing at different times.

Maybe it's because our perspectives and understandings change as time passes. What I thought when I first read it might be different from what I think now.

Also, I don't know how to add more than one date here. It would be nice to be able to keep track of all the times I've read this and see how my thoughts have evolved.

Nevertheless, even with just the most recent date, it still serves as a reminder of my journey with this piece of writing.

Leitura extremamente difícil, porém as histórias são maravilhosas. Quando se entra no mundo criado por Guimarães Rosa, se percebe o domínio incrível que ele tinha sobre a língua portuguesa. É impressionante como ele consegue manipular as palavras, criando um universo literário único e complexo.

Admiro imensamente esse domínio dele. Cada frase, cada parágrafo, parece ter sido meticulosamente construído, como se fosse uma peça de arte. A riqueza de vocabulário, as construções sintáticas complexas, tudo contribui para fazer com que a leitura seja uma experiência enriquecedora, embora possa ser um desafio para o leitor.

No entanto, é esse desafio que torna a leitura de Guimarães Rosa tão recompensadora. Quando se consegue entender e apreciar as histórias e o domínio da língua que ele demonstra, se sente uma sensação de admiração e respeito pela sua obra literária.

I made a mistake when I ordered a book from the library. I was actually trying to order "The Third Bank of the River" by Chris Feliciano Arnold. However, I thought I might as well give this book a try. To my surprise, I found most of the stories in it to be quite wonderful. Of course, in any collection, there are bound to be some that are less satisfying.

I have been told that the stories are even better in Portuguese. It makes me wonder how much more depth and beauty might be lost in translation. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed reading this collection in English. It introduced me to a new author and a new set of stories that I otherwise would not have discovered.

I am glad that I made this accidental discovery and look forward to exploring more of the author's work in the future.

Amo Guimarães Rosa e como ele cria frases belas. Seu talento literário é impressionante. Quando leio suas obras, me lembra muito Manoel de Barros, meu poeta favorito.

As frases de Guimarães Rosa são como jóias, meticulosamente trabalhadas. Eles têm uma beleza única, capaz de emocionar e cativar o leitor.

Me emociono quando encontro cheiro e textura em suas obras. São como tecidos delicados, tecidos com falas simples e observações atentas.

Cada palavra parece ter sido escolhida com cuidado, formando uma paisagem literária maravilhosa.

Certamente, encontro muito da minha história e pré-história nessas retalhos e costuras. São como recordações que remontam ao passado, trazendo lembranças e sentimentos.

Guimarães Rosa é um mestre da linguagem, capaz de criar frases que permanecem na memória do leitor. Sua obra é uma verdadeira obra de arte, linda demais ❤️.

Rosa's works are truly remarkable and extremely good for beginners to start exploring. Her writing style is engaging and accessible, making it easy for readers to immerse themselves in her stories. The characters she creates are vivid and full of life, and the plots are always interesting and full of twists and turns. Whether it's a romance, a mystery, or a thriller, Rosa has the ability to draw readers in and keep them on the edge of their seats until the very end.

Starting with Rosa's works can be a great way to discover a new world of literature and expand your reading horizons. Her stories are not only entertaining but also thought-provoking, making you think about life, love, and the human condition. So if you're looking for a great place to start your literary journey, look no further than Rosa's works. You won't be disappointed!

Uma leitura importante para conhecermos a obra de Guimarães Rosa é fundamental.

Suas estórias têm a capacidade de nos encantar de maneiras distintas.

A forma como são escritas é única, com uma linguagem rica e expressiva que transporta o leitor para mundos imaginários e emocionantes.

E o conteúdo que elas apresentam é igualmente fascinante, abordando temas universais como o amor, a morte, a amizade e a busca da verdade.

Através de suas histórias, Guimarães Rosa nos permite ver o mundo de uma perspectiva diferente, expandindo nossa compreensão da humanidade e da vida.

Portanto, é altamente recomendável que todos leiam suas obras e se deixem encantar pelo gênio de Guimarães Rosa.

3/5 stars.

I read this for a class in school and had actually enjoyed it more than I expected to.

The story had some interesting aspects that kept me engaged throughout. The characters were well-developed, and I could easily relate to their emotions and experiences.

The plot was not overly complicated, but it had enough twists and turns to keep me guessing.

However, there were also some不足之处. The writing style was a bit平淡 at times, and I felt that the author could have done more to make the story more exciting.

Overall, I would say that this was a decent read. It wasn't the best book I've ever read, but it was definitely better than I thought it would be.

I would recommend it to others who are looking for a light and easy read.

I really liked the events that took place in the story. They were engaging and full of excitement.

However, when it came to the ending, I was quite disappointed. I had expected something different, something more satisfying.

What bothered me the most was that the son seemed to be making the same mistake as his father. Instead of facing the situation and trying to solve the problems, he chose to run away.

This made me feel that the story didn't have a proper resolution and left me with a sense of dissatisfaction.

I think the author could have done a better job of tying up the loose ends and giving the story a more meaningful conclusion.

Overall, while the events in the story were enjoyable, the ending left a lot to be desired.

**Title: The Story Only**

Once upon a time, there was a small village. In this village, there lived a young boy named Tom. Tom was full of curiosity and always eager to explore new things. One day, while wandering in the forest near the village, he discovered a mysterious old book. The book was filled with strange symbols and stories that Tom had never heard before.

Tom took the book home and spent hours poring over its pages. As he read, he was transported to different worlds and times. He met brave knights, beautiful princesses, and magical creatures. The stories in the book seemed to come alive in his imagination.

Word of Tom's discovery spread throughout the village, and soon, everyone wanted to take a look at the mysterious book. But Tom was reluctant to share it. He felt that the book was his own special treasure, and he didn't want anyone else to have it.

However, as time passed, Tom realized that sharing the book with others could bring even more joy and wonder. He decided to hold a storytelling session in the village square, where he would read aloud the stories from the book. The villagers gathered around, listening intently as Tom brought the characters and adventures to life.

From that day on, the book became a beloved part of the village's culture. Tom continued to share its stories with new generations, and the magic of the book lived on.

The magic of our roots is revealed by the tenderness and speed of the words reinvented by Guimarães. It is wonderful to see the paths of the wisdom of the simple, and the grammar passes by closely to the dance that Guimarães performs. There are many incredible tales that leave an infantile smile on the face, and others owe me more due to the comparison of these.

Guimarães' words seem to have a life of their own. They flow with such ease and grace, as if they are part of a beautiful symphony. The way he combines the simple with the profound is truly remarkable. His stories are like little treasures, each one containing a unique message or emotion.

As we read his works, we are transported to a world of imagination and wonder. We are able to see the beauty in the ordinary and the magic in the simplest of things. Guimarães' writing is a reminder of the power of language and the importance of using it to create something truly special.

I understood 50% of the book. And look there. I believe that I must have gone through many other works before arriving at this one. The incomprehension made me desire, from beginning to end, that this torture would end.

However, there were some stories to my liking, especially those that strayed from the more elaborate style that prioritizes the "how" over the "what".

I would highlight "The Third Bank of the River", which charmed me in a masterful way. That story and "The Mirror", perhaps because they contain existentialist philosophical hues, pleased me especially.

This book has been a bit of a mixed bag for me. While some parts were difficult to understand and left me frustrated, others were truly engaging and thought-provoking. The stories that deviated from the overly complex style were a breath of fresh air and made me appreciate the author's talent in a different light. "The Third Bank of the River" and "The Mirror" stood out as my favorites, with their unique blend of philosophy and storytelling. Overall, it was an interesting read that made me think and challenged my literary sensibilities.