The Book of Disquiet
Encyclopedia
The Book of Disquiet published posthumously, is a work by Fernando Pessoa
(1888–1935), signed under the semi-heteronym
Bernardo Soares. With a preface by Fernando Pessoa, orthonym
, the book is a fragmentary lifetime project, left unedited by the author, who introduced it as a "factless autobiography".
However, António Quadros considers that the first phase of the book belongs to Pessoa. The second phase, more personal and diary-like, is the one belonging to Bernardo Soares.
Richard Zenith, editor of the a new Portuguese edition, in 1998, took the option of a single volume, as in his first translation, back in 1991. In his introduction, he wrote that «If Bernardo Soares does not measure up to the full Pessoa, neither are his diary writings the sum total of Disquietude, to which he was after all a johnny-comelately. The Book of Disquietude was various books (yet ultimately one book), with various authors (yet ultimately one author), and even the word disquietude changes meaning as time passes».
Fernando Pessoa
Fernando Pessoa, born Fernando António Nogueira de Seabra Pessoa , was a Portuguese poet, writer, literary critic and translator described as one of the most significant literary figures of the 20th century and one of the greatest poets in the Portuguese language.-Early years in Durban:On 13 July...
(1888–1935), signed under the semi-heteronym
Heteronym (literature)
The literary concept of heteronym, invented by Portuguese writer and poet Fernando Pessoa, refers to one or more imaginary character created by a writer to write in different styles...
Bernardo Soares. With a preface by Fernando Pessoa, orthonym
Heteronym (literature)
The literary concept of heteronym, invented by Portuguese writer and poet Fernando Pessoa, refers to one or more imaginary character created by a writer to write in different styles...
, the book is a fragmentary lifetime project, left unedited by the author, who introduced it as a "factless autobiography".
Editions
Still studied by the pessoan critics, who have different interpretations about the way the book should be organized, it was first published in Portuguese in 1982, 47 years after Pessoa's death (the author died also at 47, in 1935). Published in Spanish (1984), German (1985), Italian (1986), French (1988), etc.. In 1991 the Book had four English editions by different translators: Richard Zenith (editor and translator), Iain Watson, Alfred Mac Adam and Margaret Jull Costa. The Book is a bestseller, especially in German (16 editions, from different translators and publishers).Interpretations
Teresa Sobral Cunha considers that there are two Books Of Disquietude. According to the expert that organized along with Jacinto do Prado Coelho and Maria Aliete Galhoz the first edition of this book only edited in 1982, there are two authors of this book: Vicente Guedes, in a first phase (in the 10's and the 20's) and the aforementioned Bernardo Soares (late 20's and the 30's).However, António Quadros considers that the first phase of the book belongs to Pessoa. The second phase, more personal and diary-like, is the one belonging to Bernardo Soares.
Richard Zenith, editor of the a new Portuguese edition, in 1998, took the option of a single volume, as in his first translation, back in 1991. In his introduction, he wrote that «If Bernardo Soares does not measure up to the full Pessoa, neither are his diary writings the sum total of Disquietude, to which he was after all a johnny-comelately. The Book of Disquietude was various books (yet ultimately one book), with various authors (yet ultimately one author), and even the word disquietude changes meaning as time passes».
External links
- The Book Of Disquietude
- The Book Of Disquiet
- Site of Disquietude
- Article: Portugal Holds on to Words Few Can Grasp, New York Times, July 15, 2008