Literature of the Day: José Eduardo Agualusa

José Eduardo Agualusa

José Eduardo Agualusa is a leading voice in contemporary Portuguese-language literature, known for his inventive storytelling and deep engagement with the history of Angola. His work blends historical reality with imaginative fiction, exploring themes of memory, identity, and the legacy of colonialism. Through his novels, Agualusa has brought the complex narratives of the Lusophone world to a global audience.

The Author

Born in Huambo, Angola, in 1960, Agualusa studied agronomy and silviculture in Lisbon before turning to writing and journalism. He writes in Portuguese, and his work is deeply shaped by the history and culture of Angola, as well as his experiences living in Portugal, Brazil, and Mozambique. His novels often grapple with the aftermath of Angola's struggle for independence and the subsequent civil war, using these historical backdrops to explore the fluid nature of truth and identity. Agualusa's writing has been translated into more than twenty-five languages, earning him international acclaim, including the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize and the International Dublin Literary Award.

The Craft

Agualusa's writing is distinctive for its playful, almost magical approach to narrative, often drawing comparisons to Jorge Luis Borges. He frequently employs unconventional narrators and shifting perspectives to destabilize the reader's sense of reality. In The Book of Chameleons, for instance, the story is narrated by a gecko (a reincarnation of Borges himself), allowing for a unique, eavesdropping vantage point on the human characters. His prose is characterized by a light, detached tone that belies the serious historical and moral questions at the heart of his stories. Agualusa is a master of blending genres, moving seamlessly from political thriller to philosophical reflection, all while maintaining a deep empathy for his characters.

From the Page

A verdade é uma ilusão. A memória é uma ficção. O passado é um país estrangeiro, fazem as coisas de maneira diferente lá.

Translated by Daniel Hahn

Truth is an illusion. Memory is a fiction. The past is a foreign country, they do things differently there.

This brief passage from The Book of Chameleons (2004) encapsulates Agualusa's central thematic concerns. By asserting that truth and memory are constructs, the narrator challenges the reliability of history itself. This is particularly resonant in the context of Angola, a nation whose history has been fractured by colonialism and war. The passage is admired for its concise, aphoristic quality, distilling complex philosophical ideas into clear, striking language. It reflects Agualusa's broader project of questioning how narratives are formed and who has the power to shape the past.

Reading Guide

• The Book of Chameleons (2004): Start here for a brilliant, inventive exploration of memory and identity, narrated by a gecko in the house of a man who sells fabricated pasts to the new Angolan elite.
• A General Theory of Oblivion (2012): Read this for a profound and moving account of a woman who bricks herself into her apartment on the eve of Angolan independence, remaining there for thirty years as the country's history unfolds outside her window.
• The Society of Reluctant Dreamers (2017): A compelling novel that weaves together dreams, politics, and personal history, showcasing Agualusa's skill at blending the surreal with the deeply human.