Book Overview
The Natural Order of Things is a tale of two families and the secrets that bind them. The voices of Antunes' characters -- an army officer being tortured in prison on charges of conspiracy; an elderly... This description may be from another edition of this product.
Format:Hardcover
Language:English
ISBN:0802116582
ISBN13:9780802116581
Release Date:March 2000
Publisher:Grove/Atlantic
Length:288 Pages
Weight:1.10 lbs.
Dimensions:1.1" x 5.9" x 8.6"
Customer Reviews
5 ratings
The power of language
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 15 years ago
Antonio Lobo Antunes is a magician. His prose is creative and evocative. The convoluted story is rich in vivid metaphors and the images created are extraordinary. At times, he soars.
The Natural Order of Things
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
For people who enjoy excellent skills in writing this book is for you...it was just great.
A masterpiece
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
Antunes book is not an easy read, but once you get started it is impossible to put down. His poetic style is intoxicating. Read him before the recieves the Nobel prize!
A superbly crafted, totally engaging novel.
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
In The Natural Order Of Things, Antonio Lobo Antunes tells the story of two families and the secrets that inextricably bind them. The finely tuned, vividly articulate voices and memories of his characters present a dreamlike reality that resonates in the mind and imagination of the reader: an army officer tortured in prison on charges of conspiracy; an elderly man, once a miner in Mozambique, now reduced to dreams of "flying underground"; a diabetic teenage girl and the middle-aged husband she despises. These and other elements combine to create a portrait of a disintegrating society and the history of Portugal as a family history. The Natural Order Of Things is ably translated from the Portuguese by Richard Zenith.
Magical realism and insight into ourselves
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
This is Antunes' second book in his so-called "Benfica trilogy". It is a strange and haunting story about a family and their surroundings during three generations, and Antunes tells us about their inner lives and their deepest feelings. Despite the surreal and tragic settings of his characters, the author manages to convey a genuine feeling of compassion in his story (or rather, stories). This is truly a tragedy in a dark landscape. But it is all so beautifully told! A wonderful book it is, and I recommend it to all book lovers who are willing to put in an effort. I believe this is one of this century's great books. It may seem confusing at times - Antunes uses parallel monologues and stories throughout the book - but it all adds up, as they say. Read it, and you'll see - it really is strange to be so happy after reading such a sad story!
Copyright © 2025 Thriftbooks.com
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information | Cookie Policy | Cookie Preferences | Accessibility Statement
ThriftBooks ® and the ThriftBooks ® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
ThriftBooks ® and the ThriftBooks ® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
