Title
The Return of the Caravels (Antunes, Antonio Lobo),New
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Called 'hallucinatory and lyrical' (Publishers Weekly), The Return of the Caravels selected as a New York times Summer Reading title is a powerful indictment of Portuguese colonialism and another literary tour de force from the pen of Antonio Lobo Antunes, 'the greatest living Portuguese writer' (Vogue). It is set in Lisbon as Portugal's African colonies gain their independence in the mid1970s. In a contemporary response to Camoes's conquest epic The Lusiads, Antunes imagines Vasco da Gama and other heroes of Portuguese explorations beached amid the detritus of the empire's collapse. Or is it the modern colonials with their mixedrace heritage and uneasy place in the 'fatherland' who have somehow ended up in sixteenthcentury Lisbon? As da Gama begins winning back ownership of Lisbon piece by piece in crooked card games, four hundred years of Portuguese history mingle the caravels dock next to Iraqi oil tankers, and the slave trade rubs shoulders with the dutyfree shops. The Return of the Caravels is a startling and uncompromising look at one of Europe's great colonial powers, and how the era of conquest reshaped not just Portugal but the world. '... the voice of Nabokov by way of Cortazar, Gogol by way of Dylan.' Jonathan Levi, Los Angeles Times Book Review 'Antunes has empathy for the contradictions of human feeling. He is a warmbloodied writer.' Michael Pye, The New York Times Book Review '[Antunes] deserves a wide audience of discerning readers.' Michael Mewshaw, The Washington Post Book World
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- Q: What is the primary theme of 'The Return of the Caravels'? A: The primary theme of 'The Return of the Caravels' is a critique of Portuguese colonialism, exploring the complexities of identity and history as Portugal's African colonies gain independence.
- Q: Who is the author of 'The Return of the Caravels'? A: The author is António Lobo Antunes, a renowned Portuguese writer praised for his literary contributions.
- Q: What is the genre of this book? A: The genre of 'The Return of the Caravels' is historical fiction, blending elements of contemporary and historical narratives.
- Q: How many pages does 'The Return of the Caravels' have? A: The book has a total of 224 pages.
- Q: What is the publication date of 'The Return of the Caravels'? A: The book was published on January 6, 2003.
- Q: What type of binding does 'The Return of the Caravels' have? A: The book is available in paperback binding.
- Q: Is 'The Return of the Caravels' a standalone novel? A: Yes, 'The Return of the Caravels' is a standalone novel and does not require prior reading of other works by the author.
- Q: What are some critical reviews or accolades for this book? A: Critics have described the book as 'hallucinatory and lyrical' and praised Antunes as 'the greatest living Portuguese writer'.
- Q: Can you provide a brief summary of the plot? A: The plot intertwines historical figures like Vasco da Gama with contemporary themes, depicting the collapse of the Portuguese empire and the resulting social dynamics in Lisbon.
- Q: What age group is 'The Return of the Caravels' suitable for? A: The book is generally suitable for adult readers due to its complex themes and mature content.