Hello Gentle Reader,
Some writers are merely a part of the landscape. They are ubiquitous features. Ones readers routinely pass and cross over with. While there are others who are legendary. Pure forces of natures, which others aspire to. The Portuguese writer António Lobo Antunes was one such writer. Few writers come to mind today who could match or rival Lobo Antunes work in its singular vision and uncompromising execution, with the exception of a few including but not limited to: Krasznahorkai László, Mircea Cărtărescu and Nádas Péter. António Lobo Antunes was renowned for his masterfully modernist deluged polyphonic novels, which raged against fascism; confronted Portugal’s dark, brutal and violent colonial past; the horrors and atrocities of war, its unending inhumanity; the inevitable decay of familiar relationships as they slide further and further into dysfunction; while always providing a testament on the landscape of memory, existential loneliness, the fractured nature of the self, and a few filtrations with nihilism. There truly is no writer quite like António Lobo Antunes, who could do it at all, and do it competently. The literary style of Lobo Antunes will always be remembered as being difficult, who captured the disillusionment of 20th century Portugal, in a late modernist prose that was frequently compared to Faulkner for its textual, grammatical, musical complexity and density. Needless to say, many readers were often put off by this description, viewing António Lobo Antunes as a high brow literary writer which would only alienate them. Though, those who were up for the challenge, their efforts were amply rewarded. When Jose Saramago was announced as the Nobel Laureate in Literature in 1998, many critics thought the Swedish Academy had awarded the wrong Portuguese writer, favouring instead António Lobo Antunes, who would remain a perennial candidate and figure throughout the early 21st century. Personally, I have yet to make my way to António Lobo Antunes, ironically attracted and put off by the reputation of his works density and demanding nature. Yet no writer has ever written more beautiful titles then António Lobo Antunes, which I hope are the product of the writer, and not the liberties of his translators. Titles such as the recently published “Midnight Is Not in Everyone’s Reach,” “Commission of Tears,” “Until Stones Become Lighter Than Water,” “What Can I Do When Everything's on Fire?” António Lobo Antunes death marks yet another grand old master leaving the mortal realm. It is difficult to imagine any successor, which is perhaps for the best, Lobo Antunes shoes would be massive to fill; his shadow alone, has enough capacity to drown the indignant and arrogant writer who though themselves worthy enough.
Rest
in Peace António Lobo Antunes, its more then deserved; your work will endure.
Take Care
And As Always
Stay Well Read
