ANTES DO BAILE VERDE, LYGIA FAGUNDES TELLES (#214)

Summary

In this heartfelt review, the speaker delves into the brilliance of Brazilian author Lígia Fagundes Telles, particularly focusing on her short story collection 'Antes do Baile Verde.' The speaker reflects on their personal connection with Telles' work, recalling meeting the author in 2016 and discussing the impact of her writing, especially her mastery of short stories. The review explores themes like family dynamics, subtle tensions, and the delicate balance between ordinary and extraordinary moments in everyday life. With poignant examples from the collection, the speaker passionately recommends Telles as a must-read author.

Takeaways

• 😀 The reviewer expresses deep admiration for Brazilian author Lígia Fagundes Telles, highlighting her as their favorite author in all literature.
• 😀 Lígia Fagundes Telles' collection 'Antes do Baile Verde' is described as one of the most sensational books of short stories in Brazilian literature.
• 😀 The reviewer shares a personal story of meeting Lígia Fagundes Telles in 2016, during a documentary about her life and career.
• 😀 The book 'Antes do Baile Verde' contains 18 short stories, originally published between 1949 and 1969, showcasing a change in customs from the 50s to the 60s.
• 😀 Telles specializes in short stories, which require precision and attention to detail, conveying deep emotional and psychological insights in few words.
• 😀 The themes of Telles' stories often revolve around family relationships, focusing on dynamics between siblings, spouses, and parents and children.
• 😀 Telles is praised for her elegant and discreet writing style, with subtle conflicts and emotions that often build quietly before exploding.
• 😀 The cover art of the book is discussed for its symbolic value, representing the delicate details that Telles often highlights in her stories.
• 😀 The most famous story in the collection, 'Antes do Baile Verde,' explores the dilemma of a woman torn between attending a Carnival ball and staying with her dying father.
• 😀 Other notable stories include 'Green and Yellow Lizard,' 'Midnight on the Dot in Shanghai,' and 'Christmas on the Boat,' each offering powerful symbolism and exploring complex emotions.
• 😀 The reviewer recommends exploring not only 'Antes do Baile Verde' but also Telles' novels, 'The Girls' and 'Ciranda de Pedra,' the latter of which was adapted into a soap opera, highlighting Telles' impact on Brazilian culture.

Q & A

Who is the author's favorite Brazilian writer and why?

The author's favorite Brazilian writer is Lígia Fagundes Telles. She appreciates her work because of the depth and elegance in her writing, particularly her skill in writing short stories that subtly convey complex emotions and family dynamics.

What is 'Antes do Baile Verde' and why is it significant?

'Antes do Baile Verde' is a collection of short stories by Lígia Fagundes Telles. It is considered one of the most significant works in Brazilian literature, particularly due to its exploration of family relationships and its subtle narrative style.

What was the author's personal experience with Lígia Fagundes Telles?

The author shares a personal story about meeting Lígia Fagundes Telles in 2016 or 2017, during a documentary screening. The encounter moved the author emotionally, as they had a deep admiration for her work. The author even cried when Lígia signed the book they had brought.

What role does school play in the author's introduction to Lígia Fagundes Telles' work?

The author was introduced to Lígia Fagundes Telles' work in school, where they studied a small collection of her short stories. The teacher helped the students understand the subtle symbols and themes, which sparked a deep appreciation for the author's writing.

How does the author describe Lígia Fagundes Telles' writing style?

Lígia Fagundes Telles' writing is described as precise and elegant. She focuses on small, detailed observations that reveal the underlying tensions and emotions of her characters. Her style is likened to that of a cat—quiet, discreet, but with sharp, unexpected moments of intensity.

What are some common themes in Lígia Fagundes Telles' short stories?

Common themes in her short stories include family relationships—such as those between siblings, parents and children, or spouses—and subtle emotional conflicts that are often not outwardly expressed but felt deeply within the characters.

What is the significance of the story 'Antes do Baile Verde'?

The title story, 'Antes do Baile Verde,' tells the story of a girl torn between attending a Carnival ball and staying with her dying father. The moral dilemma creates a powerful, human conflict, and the reader is torn between sympathy and judgment for the character.

How does Lígia Fagundes Telles explore the concept of class in her writing?

Lígia Fagundes Telles often writes about characters from the middle to upper-middle class, particularly in São Paulo. Her stories reflect the changing customs and societal dynamics between the 1950s and 1960s, capturing the internal conflicts of characters in this social class.

What is the symbolic importance of small details in Lígia Fagundes Telles' stories?

In her stories, small details—such as the texture of a butterfly's wing or a crumb of bread—are used symbolically to reflect the internal emotional states of characters. These details help to build the underlying tension and the emotional depth of the narrative.

How does Lígia Fagundes Telles' writing compare to soap operas?

While some of Lígia Fagundes Telles' works, such as 'Ciranda de Pedra,' were adapted into soap operas, the author expresses dissatisfaction with how soap operas often fail to capture the subtleties and delicacy of the original works. The author believes that soap operas tend to oversimplify and exaggerate emotions, missing the nuanced storytelling.