Pereira Declares: A Testimony

Rating:
Summary: The turning worm
Review: Afirma Pereira is a wonderful short tale about one man's abrupt inclusion into the world of political opposition within a society that had sullenly accepted the gradual emergence of a paternalist authoritarian State.

Pereira, the main character, is an ageing intellectual who has never fully recovered from the premature death of his wife. He believes that he is a Catholic, although his mind is full of doubts that his religious faith cannot resolve. He edits the cultural section of a small newspaper that 'tends towards Catholicism', and which believes in the ressurection of the soul. He is preoccupied with death and reincarnation - a concern that brings him into contact with the cause of his own reincarnation in the form of the young half-Italian, Monteiro Rossi.

Set in Lisbon at the height of the Spanish Civil War, Tubucchi uses his undoubted lyrical skills to paint a picture of a Lisbon that is, at first sight, at peace with itself. Under the surface, however, it is clear that all is not right - and this is what Tabucchi brings out so clearly.

Pereira's curiosity in Rossi - the son he never had, and the youth he never lived - gets the better of him, and he gets drawn in to the younger man's life. Pereira had always been aware that the political regime in Portugal was intolerant of opposition, but, like the majority of Portuguese, he preferred not to think about it - a walking example of Portuguese 'fado'. His gradual awakening becomes apparent as the news arrives that some workers had been killed by the police in the Alentejan town of Evora. Normally Pereira would have allowed this to simply wash over him - now it becomes a cause for concern. Suddenly he is more aware - he notices the graffiti on the Jewish butcher's shop, and realises that it offends him. He begins to resent his housekeeper, whom he suspects of being a police informer. He begins to question why it is that he is restrained from pubishing some material in his newspaper. The censorship that prevented him from writing about Foucault was not imposed by the State, but rather it was a form of self-censorship. He begins to rail against this, feeling that he has nothing to lose.

This leads him to an encounter with his employer in what is one of the most humorous and, simultaneously, sad parts of the book.

As for Rossi - well, he comes in and out of the narrative at frequent intervals - usually at the point that Pereira is beginning to have doubts about his own doubts. In this way, Pereira is encouraged to continue his small acts of rebellion until, at the end, they reach their dramatic conclusion.

Despite some small and relatively insignificant historical errors, this is a wonderful little allegorical tale about the condition of the Portuguese people under the Salazarist regime at the peak of its fascistic phase. It plays on the Portuguese characteristics of 'saudadismo' (yearning) - illustrated by Pereira's imaginary conversations with his dead wife - and its 'fatalidade' (or 'situationism') - the sullen acceptance of what is, reinforced by the Catholic values of the political regime.

This work achieves the feat of interweaving these ultimately pessimistic traits with the optimistic and active energy of youth - given material form in the shape of the young protagonist.

Rating:
Summary: A modern narrative masterpiece
Review: Antonio Tabucch's short (136 pgs.) and magnificant 1994 novel Declares Pereira is a devistating study of the coming of totalitarianism. Set in Portugal in 1938, Tabucchi's tale, originally written in Italian, is the story of an overweight, fading, and ill newspaper reporter now editing the culture page of a mediocre Lisbon newspaper who befriends, and then helps, a young writer with unacceptable political views. Pereira steadfastly tries to avoid any political involvement whatsoever, but the nature of the coming Nazi state makes neutrality impossible. Pereira must choose, and this choice involves either betrayal of his young comrade or his own political suicide. I will not disclose how or why Pereira exercises his option. Read this book and find out!

Rating:
Summary: A study of coming totalitarianism
Review: Antonio Tabucch's short (136 pgs.) and magnificant 1994 novel Declares Pereira is a devistating study of the coming of totalitarianism. Set in Portugal in 1938, Tabucchi's tale, originally written in Italian, is the story of an overweight, fading, and ill newspaper reporter now editing the culture page of a mediocre Lisbon newspaper who befriends, and then helps, a young writer with unacceptable political views. Pereira steadfastly tries to avoid any political involvement whatsoever, but the nature of the coming Nazi state makes neutrality impossible. Pereira must choose, and this choice involves either betrayal of his young comrade or his own political suicide. I will not disclose how or why Pereira exercises his option. Read this book and find out!

Rating:
Summary: A fictional story that has happened several times
Review: I read this book convinced it was a true story. This is because the book edition I bought read, in addition to the title "Pereira Declares", also the sub-title "A testimony". Hence I thought it was a life testimony, a true account. In fact, that's why I bought it and read it, as I read mostly non-fiction. Nothing in the story gave it away as fiction - which I would later discover that it was.

I grew up in Lisbon and recognized many places mentioned in the book. But what made the book read true to me was the characters. How believable each character is to me. Each of these people was someone I could have met in Lisbon. I am still astonished that they are fictional characters. Because their mental processes, their lives, their reactions, everything about them is completely familiar, completely Portuguese. Antonio Tabucci, an Italian living in Portugal for many years, has empathically understood the soul of many in Portugal. When I later came to realize that the story was fictional, it was Tabucci's complete understanding of the Portuguese soul that amazed me the most.

And so, the story was made up. It didn't actually happen. Well, actually it did. It happened many many times. That is, many true stories that happened under the Salazar regime were variants of this story. The facts may have differed (names, places, ages, all of the details), but this story occurred: the non-political person, certainly not an opponent of the regime (perhaps viewing Salazar as a strict father figure, not as a dictator), minding their business - the family, making ends meet, etc - suddenly, without any notice (never having even considered such a thing in their life) and in the absence of any ideological foundation for that whatsoever, makes a split-second decision that puts him/her at enormous personal risk because they were faced directly with great injustice done to oterhs. One moment their life is entirely safe and predictable, as it always had been, the next moment, on a moment's decision, they better hide or go into exile.

This story has happened often, among the resignated Portuguese of yesterday, as much as among people the world over. That's why true stories are to me the ultimate thrill.

Rating:
Summary: A fictional story that has happened several times
Review: I read this book convinced it was a true story. This is because the book edition I bought read, in addition to the title "Pereira Declares", also the sub-title "A testimony". Hence I thought it was a life testimony, a true account. In fact, that's why I bought it and read it, as I read mostly non-fiction. Nothing in the story gave it away as fiction - which I would later discover that it was.

I grew up in Lisbon and recognized many places mentioned in the book. But what made the book read true to me was the characters. How believable each character is to me. Each of these people was someone I could have met in Lisbon. I am still astonished that they are fictional characters. Because their mental processes, their lives, their reactions, everything about them is completely familiar, completely Portuguese. Antonio Tabucci, an Italian living in Portugal for many years, has empathically understood the soul of many in Portugal. When I later came to realize that the story was fictional, it was Tabucci's complete understanding of the Portuguese soul that amazed me the most.

And so, the story was made up. It didn't actually happen. Well, actually it did. It happened many many times. That is, many true stories that happened under the Salazar regime were variants of this story. The facts may have differed (names, places, ages, all of the details), but this story occurred: the non-political person, certainly not an opponent of the regime (perhaps viewing Salazar as a strict father figure, not as a dictator), minding their business - the family, making ends meet, etc - suddenly, without any notice (never having even considered such a thing in their life) and in the absence of any ideological foundation for that whatsoever, makes a split-second decision that puts him/her at enormous personal risk because they were faced directly with great injustice done to oterhs. One moment their life is entirely safe and predictable, as it always had been, the next moment, on a moment's decision, they better hide or go into exile.

This story has happened often, among the resignated Portuguese of yesterday, as much as among people the world over. That's why true stories are to me the ultimate thrill.

Rating:
Summary: An OK book, but honestly, not much more.
Review: Pereira Declares is OK, an entertaining lecture.
The story is about a newspaper editor, Pereira, who is suddenly having moral issues. The plot develops in Portugal, in a time period where fascism rules and the media is strictly supervised by the government. Pereira is an easy going man, he leaves alone, his wife passed away and he doesn't have any kids. His life is a boring routine, but he doesn't want to get in any trouble. The something happens, he meets this kid who wants to work with him at the news paper. Well, he starts thinking of this young man as his own son (he sees himself reflected), but the boy's writings are far too controversial for the time. And, he finds out that this kid may be involved with government opposition forces in Spain...and the story goes on (I don't want to spoil anything, if there's really anything to spoil). Hmm...the plot reminds me a little bit of a script for a Hollywood B movie, the main character is doing fine, but something external happens so he has to make choices....and he makes the right ones! (cliche)...and then the end (In fact it was portrayed by Marcello Mastroianni in a film). Absolutely no surprises, this novel lacks emotion.

Well, but it's a fine story. The narrative style is OK, the plot is OK. An OK novel. Don't get your expectations too high, but if this book bounces into your hands, you may read and not regret it

One more thing, Tabucchi could really have avoided repeating the phrase "Pereira Declares" 10,000 times throughout his book, it seemed something that a teenager writer would have done, it got to my nerves.

Rating:
Summary: An OK book, but honestly, not much more.
Review: Pereira Declares is OK, an entertaining lecture.
The story is about a newspaper editor, Pereira, who is suddenly having moral issues. The plot develops in Portugal, in a time period where fascism rules and the media is strictly supervised by the government. Pereira is an easy going man, he leaves alone, his wife passed away and he doesn't have any kids. His life is a boring routine, but he doesn't want to get in any trouble. The something happens, he meets this kid who wants to work with him at the news paper. Well, he starts thinking of this young man as his own son (he sees himself reflected), but the boy's writings are far too controversial for the time. And, he finds out that this kid may be involved with government opposition forces in Spain...and the story goes on (I don't want to spoil anything, if there's really anything to spoil). Hmm...the plot reminds me a little bit of a script for a Hollywood B movie, the main character is doing fine, but something external happens so he has to make choices....and he makes the right ones! (cliche)...and then the end (In fact it was portrayed by Marcello Mastroianni in a film). Absolutely no surprises, this novel lacks emotion.

Well, but it's a fine story. The narrative style is OK, the plot is OK. An OK novel. Don't get your expectations too high, but if this book bounces into your hands, you may read and not regret it

One more thing, Tabucchi could really have avoided repeating the phrase "Pereira Declares" 10,000 times throughout his book, it seemed something that a teenager writer would have done, it got to my nerves.

Rating:
Summary: Tabucchi again shows considerable skill
Review: Pereira Declares is set in Lisbon as Portugal is sliding into an oppressive state. Pereira is the editor of a cultural page where his work reflects not what he would wish to write but rather what is acceptable to write. He life revolves around his dead wife, food and his dream of writing a book. After seeing a piece by Monteiro Rossi, a recent university graduate in philsophy, he hires Rossi to write a column for the cultural page. Rossi is as politically aware and active as Pereira is blinded and inactive. The story is of the growing relationship between the two men and the choices Pereira is forced to make as he starts participating in life.

While the plot is predictable in the sense that people are predictable, the writing and wit of the novel not only is entertaining but also forces the reader to consider their own stance regarding death, religion and politics.

This novel is well worth your time.