Description
The Devil's Hour
Book Summary
This work recovers one of Fernando Pessoa's early texts, originally written in English under the working title Tales of a Madman. The Devil's Hour is a short narrative that marks the author's first steps toward the creation of his famous heteronyms. In these pages, the reader will find an early and revealing piece of the Pessoan universe, where the existential concerns and poetic prose that would characterize his mature work already emerge. An essential testimony for understanding the genesis of one of the most influential writers of the 20th century.
What is it about?
The text is presented as a short narrative, initially conceived in English during Pessoa's youth, when the author defined himself as a "young Portuguese in the English style." The work was part of a set of notes and short stories that the writer gathered under the title Tales of a Madman, written between 1903 and 1905. During this seminal period, Pessoa was already experimenting with the creation of alternate voices, and The Devil's Hour is linked to the birth of Vicente Guedes, one of his first heteronyms, to whom he would attribute the Portuguese translation of these almost adolescent writings years later. The story anticipates themes and fragments that would later find their place in major works such as The Book of Disquiet.
Main themes
- The early exploration of identity and the multiplicity of the self in Pessoa's work.
- The influence of English literature and language on the author's formation.
- The origin and development of the heteronyms, particularly the figure of Vicente Guedes.
- The seed of the poetic and philosophical prose that would characterize his later production.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at readers interested in the work of Fernando Pessoa, especially those who wish to learn about his early writings and the creative process that gave rise to his literary universe. It will also be of great value to scholars of Portuguese literature, researchers of the genesis of the heteronyms, and lovers of introspective and philosophical short fiction.
What this book offers
- Access to a little-known text from Fernando Pessoa's formative period.
- Understanding of the origin of his heteronyms, particularly Vicente Guedes.
- A key piece for tracing the author's thematic and stylistic evolution.
- An edition that rescues and contextualizes a fundamental early manuscript.
Technical data
- Author: Pessoa, Fernando
- Publisher: Huerga y Fierro Editores
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: POETRY, POETRY BY INDIVIDUAL POETS, POETIC ANTHOLOGIES (VARIOUS POETS), SHORT STORIES
- Collection: GRAFFITI
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: September 2020
- Number of pages: 90
- Weight: 140 g
Editorial review
This edition of The Devil's Hour offers a unique opportunity to delve into the literary origins of Fernando Pessoa. It is a document of great philological and literary value that allows the reader to glimpse the author's creative workshop in his youth. Its interest lies in being an early piece that heralds the great themes and complexity of his later work, making it an essential read for those who wish to understand the totality of his legacy.