An original manuscript of 'The Hour of the Star', one of Clarice Lispector's most important novels, has surfaced in Rio de Janeiro. The documents were found in the private collection of Eduardo Portella, a late writer and member of the Brazilian Academy of Letters, who passed away in 2017. His collection was acquired by the bookstore Letra Viva through his widow, Célia. This finding sheds light on the long-lost manuscript that was sent to Portella by Lispector herself, prior to the book's first edition being published shortly before her death in December 1977.

Clarice Lispector was a seminal figure in Brazilian literature, and 'The Hour of the Star' was her last published work during her lifetime. The author had entrusted Portella to write the preface for the book; however, the original scripts were never returned to her and remained conserved in Portella's library until recently. This situation illustrates Portella's personality as a dedicated reader who cherished literature without necessarily holding onto every item with measured significance, rather than positioning him as a bibliophile obsessed with the value of rare books.

The manuscript discovery represents not just a literary treasure but also a significant cultural moment for Brazil, rekindling interest in Lispector's work and her contribution to literature. Further insights about her creative process or annotations within the manuscript could enrich our understanding of her artistic legacy and influence, marking a pivotal moment for scholars and fans of her work alike.