I couldn't read to the end, but I liked the first short stories ("The Margins of Joy", "Notorious" and "The Girl from There") perhaps because they are the simplest.

These initial tales seem to have a certain charm. "The Margins of Joy" might offer a glimpse into a world where joy is found in unexpected places. "Notorious" could be about a character with a rather infamous reputation, and the story might explore how that came to be and what it means for them. "The Girl from There" perhaps presents a mysterious girl from a particular place, and the narrative could unfold around her and the events that surround her.

Although I didn't finish reading the entire collection, these first stories have piqued my interest and made me curious to see what the other tales might have in store. Maybe as I continue reading, I'll discover more complex and engaging stories that will keep me hooked until the very end.

With the expectations of an easy and simple reading, I started these First Stories at the beginning of the month. At first, the stories already captivated me, but there was something, a language barrier, perhaps of language itself, preventing me from fully enjoying these tales. So I started to space out the readings more and more, gradually appreciating each tale. It was then that I realized the genius of Guimarães Rosa (this is my first book by him) in dealing with the "Portuguese language" (if one can say that Rosa writes in Portuguese, with so many neologisms and beautiful appropriations that he makes of the language). Synthesizing content and form like no one else, Rosa deals with Brazil, its characters, landscapes, animals (there is even a "conscious" one!), making in each tale certain cutouts of the universal of the sertão, going masterfully from existentialism ("The Mirror") to humor ("Darandina") and social criticism ("A benfazeja"), passing through simple love ("Substance"), the difficulties of memory ("None, none") and childhood ("Pirlimpsiquice", perhaps already in the title one of the greatest demonstrations of Rosa's handling of the language). In short, a masterpiece, no more and no less, a book to always have by the bedside!

The book contains several excellent stories: "Notorious", "Sorôco", "None, No One", "Fatality", "Departure of the Audacious Traveler", "Tarantula" and "The Peaks".

However, there are also some bad stories: "The Girl Over There", "The Mirror", "Substance".

In general, the book is more inventive than Sagarana. This obviously generates very good and interesting tales, as well as others that don't work out so well.

The author seems to be exploring different themes and styles, which is both a strength and a weakness. Some of the stories are truly captivating, with vivid characters and engaging plots. Others, however, feel a bit flat or unfinished.

Despite its flaws, the book is still worth reading for those who enjoy short stories and are looking for something new and different. It offers a unique perspective on various aspects of life and human nature, and will surely spark some interesting discussions.

Overall, it's a mixed bag, but one that contains some real gems.

Para mim, a coisa sertaneja capturada na brochura é algo extraordinário.

Está tudo lá: a fome que afeta a família, o casamento na própria casa, o rio que corre tranquilo, a terra fértil, o avião que leva para a cidade grande, a loucura de vingança desracional que pode levar até o médico ou fazer com que todo mundo se afaste.

E a linguagem usada é tão elaborada na forma e no som que parece uma coisa besta de acadêmico, mas na verdade não é. É uma coisa contagiante de arte que nos faz imitar no review, apenas pela graça da língua Português de um mundo que eu desconheço ou apenas conheço de beira de rodovia, onde não se vê a margem do rio.

E, como diz o último trecho, "Quando nada acontece há um milagre que não estamos vendo", o que nos lembra que muitas vezes as coisas mais incríveis estão ocorrendo à nossa volta, mas não as percebemos.

I used to avoid Guimarães Rosa’s books for a rather understandable reason. I had an intense dislike for a passive-aggressive classmate who just wouldn't stop talking about his book Grande sertão: veredas. If my memory serves me right, it was her favorite novel. Of course, I blamed Rosa for this, and automatically gave his books zero stars on Goodreads. That was that. End of story.

However, all the silliness aside, I do remember buying one of his works after high school, but I have no recollection of reading it. As time passed and other writers seemed much more appealing, he eventually became one of those important authors whose words were only visited by the dust on my shelves.

Recently, The third bank of the river came up in the short story club, so I decided to give it a try. I was immediately captivated by the mystery and poetry of the river symbolism. His writing is so remarkable in its delicate simplicity. The descriptions are concise yet profound, and the characters only express what is necessary to make us imagine what lies within the gaps. They force us to recreate our own unique versions of Rosa’s ambiguous literature. And the way we feel connected to their motives or provoked by their silences happens so effortlessly.

It only took the author 5 pages to weave a touching and nuanced narrative that most readers, like an overly attached teenage fan, won't be able to stop talking about. This is the kind of elusiveness that lingers with you. The kind of river that reconstructs the third margin within you, the one you didn't even know existed.

Passive-aggressiveness wasn't the most pleasant thing to deal with in school, but now I wish I had listened to my former classmate's thoughts on books when our frontal lobes were still developing. It seems she was right about Rosa’s literary talent, and I'm quite confident that delving into his Veredas will be an experience as beautiful as reading this story.

Thank you so much, Leonard and Fionnuala, for sharing this gem.

This is a truly beautiful book that is filled with a rich sense of regionalism.

As I was reading it, it felt as if I was sitting right there, listening intently to a "Mineiro" sharing his or her captivating stories.

Among all the wonderful tales, my absolute favorite was "A menina de lá", which was the fourth story in the collection.

The way the author described the characters and the settings in that story was simply enchanting. It made me feel as if I was actually a part of that small town, experiencing all the joys and sorrows along with the characters.

The book as a whole is a literary gem that offers a unique glimpse into the culture and life of a particular region. It is definitely a must-read for anyone who loves stories that are both engaging and full of heart.

My doctorate is already difficult enough.

I don't need another text that is intentionally (and artificially) complicated.

It seems that some people enjoy creating overly complex texts just to show off their knowledge or make themselves seem more intelligent.

However, this often makes it harder for others to understand and learn from the content.

In my opinion, simplicity is key when it comes to communication.

A well-written text should be able to convey its message clearly and concisely, without the need for excessive jargon or convoluted sentence structures.

I hope that in the future, more people will focus on writing in a way that is accessible to everyone, rather than trying to impress with unnecessary complexity.

This will not only make it easier for me and others in my field to progress in our studies, but also promote better understanding and collaboration across different disciplines.

I want to have children just to read this book to them. Every night, a part of the story, slowly, slowly... To teach the fear and courage that is in both adults and children.

Guimarães tells the translator of the work into Spanish that the book is a manual of metaphysics.

The discussions that take place on the Siruiz channel on YouTube are great for reinforcement. They are organized chronologically by story.

This book seems to hold a special charm that makes one envision sharing it with the next generation. Guimarães' description of it as a manual of metaphysics adds an air of mystery and depth. And the fact that there are organized discussions on YouTube further enriches the experience of engaging with the book. It allows readers to explore different perspectives and interpretations, enhancing their understanding of the themes and ideas presented. Whether it's about teaching values to children or delving into the realm of metaphysics, this book seems to have something for everyone.

In general, it's reasonable.

I read "Primeiras Estórias" without great expectations, since the vast majority of the books that my school gives me to read I don't really like. This one here is a book that, when evaluated overall, I thought was more or less okay.

There were stories that I really liked, such as for example "A menina de lá" (The Girl from There), "Os Irmãos Dagobé" (The Dagobé Brothers) and mainly "A terceira margem do rio" (The Third Bank of the River), my favorite in this book. But there were other stories that I simply didn't understand anything of what the author was saying.

For me, "Primeiras Estórias" is a book that has some good stories, and nothing more; it's not a book that will be marked for me in any way. It's an average read that has its moments of interest but also some parts that left me confused and unengaged. However, it might still be worth a read for those who enjoy short stories and are willing to explore different styles and themes.

My favorite story is the one about the girl who had the power to make everything she wanted come true.

It is truly amazing and illustrates both the perils and powers of a child's mind.

The story takes us on a journey through the girl's adventures as she uses her extraordinary ability.

We see how she initially enjoys the freedom and excitement of being able to have whatever she desires.

However, as the story progresses, we also witness the consequences of her actions.

The girl realizes that with great power comes great responsibility.

She learns valuable lessons about the importance of thinking before acting and considering the impact of her choices on others.

This story not only entertains but also teaches us important life lessons about the power of our thoughts and the need to use them wisely.

Read for English Class
Reading is an essential activity for English class. It helps students improve their language skills in many ways. Firstly, it enhances vocabulary. By reading a variety of texts, students encounter new words and learn their meanings and usage. This, in turn, enables them to express themselves more precisely and vividly in both written and spoken English. Secondly, reading improves comprehension. Students learn to understand different sentence structures, literary devices, and the overall meaning of the text. This skill is crucial for understanding lectures, discussions, and academic materials. Thirdly, reading exposes students to different cultures and perspectives. It broadens their horizons and helps them develop a more global mindset. In conclusion, reading is a vital part of English class that provides numerous benefits for students' language learning and personal growth.

I wouldn't say it's an easy read, but this "discomfort" of a reading that forces you to focus on the reading process is extremely wonderful. Sometimes only by reading aloud can you "understand" what is meant. The introductory texts of this edition helped me a great deal.

However, aside from this entire reading process, just like in every short story book, some affected me deeply, while others didn't. Some short stories, due to their simplicity and the description of the trivial in a very beautiful way, like the story of the Peaks and the one of the Margin of Joy. Others, on the other hand, surprised me with their dramatic appeal. Both Sorôco and The Third Margin of the River, as well as The Horse that Drank Beer, left a profound mark on me.

The others alternate between the amusing and those that didn't arouse anything in me.

This first encounter with Guimarães and his very peculiar writing was well worth it.