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The Use of the World — On Nicolas Bouvier’s Road, Between Maps and Mirages

There are books that make you want to pack your bags, and there are books that make you realize you’ve already been traveling all along. Nicolas Bouvier’s L’usage du monde (The Way of the World) belongs to both categories. Written from his journey between 1953 and 1954 with his painter friend Thierry Vernet, this travelogue traces a slow passage through the Balkans and the Middle … Continue reading The Use of the World — On Nicolas Bouvier’s Road, Between Maps and Mirages

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Pages and Passports: Exploring Europe’s Literary Landmarks for the Ultimate Travel Adventure | Art of Saudade

Embarking on a literary journey is like traveling through time and space, where the pages of books unfold into landscapes brimming with history, culture, and imagination. For book lovers, exploring iconic destinations that have inspired renowned authors and poets adds an extra layer of enchantment to their travels. In this blog post, we’ll delve into a selection of Europe’s literary landmarks, each offering a unique … Continue reading Pages and Passports: Exploring Europe’s Literary Landmarks for the Ultimate Travel Adventure | Art of Saudade

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Unpacking Emotions: Kristeva’s Journey through Nostalgia and the ‘Silence of Polyglots’ | Art of Saudade

Literature is magic. Philosophy and psychology, on the other hand, are the alchemists attempting to distill the essence of this magic into the structured language of science. Today, we’re delving into the intriguing world of Julia Kristeva’s ‘Étrangers à nous-mêmes’ (Strangers to Ourselves), a masterpiece that landed in my hands amidst the hustle of moving from one ‘foreign’ land to another. Here I am, at … Continue reading Unpacking Emotions: Kristeva’s Journey through Nostalgia and the ‘Silence of Polyglots’ | Art of Saudade

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Embark on a Literary Journey: Overcoming Reading Burnout with Cortazar’s Hopscotch! 🌟

“Hopscotches, childish rituals of pebbling and hopping to enter Heaven.” Hey, bookworms and literature enthusiasts! Remember my pledge in November to conquer the post-reading burnout blues? If you missed the challenge, catch up here. Now, the big question – did I succeed? Well, I wouldn’t say I failed either, and here’s why. Against the advice of many, I opted for a hefty tome. Not just … Continue reading Embark on a Literary Journey: Overcoming Reading Burnout with Cortazar’s Hopscotch! 🌟

The Art of Writing an Entire Novel Without The Letter E | Georges Perec | Art of Saudade

Can you make a sentence without using the letter E? It may seem a bit hard, but not impossible. How about a 500 characters text? It’s getting more complicated, right? Now try to write a 500 pages novel without one of the most commonly used letters in the alphabet (at least in most of the European languages). Well, this is what the French author Georges … Continue reading The Art of Writing an Entire Novel Without The Letter E | Georges Perec | Art of Saudade

When Dystopia Makes You Cherish Your Life | Blindness by José Saramago | Art of Saudade

They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see. They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat. Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them. Psalm 115:5-8  Dystopia is one … Continue reading When Dystopia Makes You Cherish Your Life | Blindness by José Saramago | Art of Saudade

Inside one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world | Livraria Lello | Art of Saudade

Can a bookstore inspire you? Legend has it that a bookstore in Portugal inspired J.K. Rowling to write Harry Potter. How true is it? Let’s find out! The Lello Bookstore in Porto, Portugal Founded in 1869, Lello is one of the oldest bookstores in Portugal and it still keeps its neo-gothic elements. The staircase, the shelves, and the vivid colors attract thousands of tourists to … Continue reading Inside one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world | Livraria Lello | Art of Saudade

Brazilian literature: Life In The Brazilian Backlands | Vidas Secas by Graciliano Ramos | Art of Saudade

Vidas Secas is one of the greatest classics of Brazilian literature. Published in 1938, this novel tells the tragic story of a poor family living in the Northeast Region of Brazil and describes their everyday life. The cyclical way of writing that the author adopts makes it possible to read the first chapter as a continuation of the last chapter. This means that the destiny … Continue reading Brazilian literature: Life In The Brazilian Backlands | Vidas Secas by Graciliano Ramos | Art of Saudade

A World Full Of Baobab Trees And Roses | The Little Prince 79 Years Later | Art of Saudade

What book would you bring if you were stranded on a desert island? I don’t have to think twice. I’d definitely take a tale under 100 pages that will make me travel the universe and remind me of the essence of human nature. The Little Prince. Hey, that’s a simple children’s book, you might say. And it’s overrated. Hmm, are you sure that a book … Continue reading A World Full Of Baobab Trees And Roses | The Little Prince 79 Years Later | Art of Saudade