Description
THE SCHOOL OF PARADISE
Book Summary
One of the most important Portuguese novels of the 20th century, according to José Saramago, arrives for the first time to the Spanish-speaking reader. Through the eyes of the boy Gabriel, we witness the awakening of a consciousness in the turbulent Lisbon of the early 20th century, a time of political and social changes that culminate in the proclamation of the Republic. This masterpiece by José Rodrigues Miguéis combines the innocent gaze of childhood with the chronicle of a city in transformation, offering an intimate and luminous account of memory, family, and the discovery of the world.
What is it about?
The novel chronicles the life of a modest middle-class family in Lisbon at the beginning of the last century, a period marked by profound transformations that culminate in the overthrow of King Manuel II and the arrival of the Republic in 1910. The story unfolds before the eyes of young Gabriel, a boy who observes his surroundings with wonder. The city, bathed in light, becomes a theatrical stage where neighbors with peculiar lives parade by, from the docks to the streets of the Alfama neighborhood. The focal point of his experience is the school on the Rua do Paraíso, a place where learning goes beyond lessons, becoming the epicenter of a universe of discoveries, friendships, and early understandings of the social and political reality that surrounds him.
Main themes
- The child's perspective as a filter for historical and social reality.
- The urban and political transformation of Lisbon at the beginning of the 20th century.
- The daily life of the Lisbon middle class and their aspirations.
- The transition from childhood to maturity and the awakening of consciousness.
- Memory as a tool to reconstruct a lost time and place.
Who is it recommended for?
For readers interested in great 20th-century European literature, especially Portuguese narrative. Also for those seeking coming-of-age novels with a strong historical and social component, as well as those who appreciate stories told from the perspective of childhood and the reconstruction of an era through personal and collective memory.
What this book offers
- The discovery of a crowning work of Portuguese literature, previously unpublished in Spanish.
- An immersion into the Lisbon of the early 20th century, with its atmosphere, its people, and its political changes.
- A lyrical and evocative narrative that combines the tenderness of the child's gaze with the depth of social analysis.
- A unique perspective on a crucial historical period for Portugal, narrated from the perspective of daily experience.
- The opportunity to read a novel praised by José Saramago, one of the great names in world literature.
Technical Specifications
- Author: RODRIGUES MIGUEIS, JOSE
- Publisher: EDICIONES DEL VIENTO,S.L
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY FICTION
- Collection: VIENTO ABIERTO
- Publication date: October 2023
- Number of pages: 292
- Weight: 430 g
Editorial Assessment
This Spanish edition of "The School of Paradise" represents a major publishing event, recovering a novel considered by José Saramago to be one of the most important in 20th-century Portuguese literature. The work of José Rodrigues Miguéis offers a rich and nuanced reading experience, where personal history intertwines with the chronicle of a city and a country in turmoil. Its value lies not only in its literary quality, but in its ability to transport the reader to a time and place with extraordinary sensitivity, making it an essential read for lovers of good fiction.