Mar 10 • 18:00 UTC 🇧🇷 Brazil Folha (PT)

Maria Valéria Rezende recaps Machado de Assis and changes the endings of classics

In her new book "Recapitulações", Maria Valéria Rezende offers fresh interpretations of classic literary works, reimagining their endings and exploring characters from a different perspective.

Maria Valéria Rezende's latest book, "Recapitulações", presents a creative and playful take on classic literature, particularly focusing on the works of Machado de Assis and Franz Kafka. The book features twelve short stories that reinterpret beloved narratives, such as Kafka's "The Metamorphosis", where the protagonist Gregor Samsa is transformed into a monstrous human being, but the perspective shifts, offering new insights and a redefined character arc.

Rezende's approach not only revisits these iconic tales but also challenges the conventions of narrative structure, allowing readers to explore alternative conclusions and character motivations. For instance, in one story, the perspective of Capitu from Machado de Assis's "Dom Casmurro" is employed, granting her agency and revealing new dimensions to her character that were previously overshadowed by male narratives.

This literary experimentation promotes a dialogue between original works and their modern reinterpretations, opening avenues for rethinking traditional literature in contemporary contexts. As she intertwines original plots with her unique storytelling, Rezende encourages readers to consider the complexities of character perception and narrative ownership, marking a significant contribution to Brazilian literature and its evolving landscape.

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