Blogs

“The Book of Chameleons” explores at identity and memory in post-colonial Angola through a captivating blend of magical realism and historical fiction. José Eduardo Agualusa creates a story full of symbolism and reflection via the protagonist Félix Ventura’s journey of self-discovery. A fascinating and thought-provoking book, the novel explores the power of narratives to alter […] read full post >>

This book was so fun to read. Gecko’s and magic, who would have thought that would make a good combination! Also, finally a book with short chapter!!! There were so many interesting characters in this novel. I found Felix’s job so intriguing. He gave people completely new identities and new background stories, and basically erased […] read full post >>

“Death with Interruptions” has to be the most complicated novel that I have read so far in this course, not because of its content, but its exploration of death. Apart from philosophical works by Kant, Plato, and Aristotle, I have rarely come across novels that centre on philosophical matters, so it took me quite a […] read full post >>

This week’s novel is very different than any other novel as I never imagined that I would read a novel encircling the chronicles of ‘death.’ ‘Death with Interruptions’ is a novel about the first day of the new year when no one dies. Nobody in this world wants to die. so wouldn’t it be great […] read full post >>

Magic, mystery, and talking lizards galore read full post >>

I would have never guessed that this week I’d end up reading a book that’s narrated by a gecko. But I will say it didn’t disappoint. The Book of Chameleons engaged me within the first pages. The descriptions and imagery were intricate and beautiful. I think I would love to live in Félix’s house from […] read full post >>

I. Loved. This. Book. Although a quick Google search might call this novel a “murder mystery,” I think that’s quite a stretch. By the halfway point, I felt the book was leaning more towards fantasy because of its whimsical, mysterious, and somewhat unsettling tone (I’ll explain this more later!). However, towards the end, it shifted … Continue reading The Book of Chameleons: Kafka if He Were a Gecko (Mar 25) read full post >>

I didn’t really read much into the meaning of this book. However, I did like the magical realism of the book’s setting. The main characters are a reincarnated chameleon (which, when I first started reading, Agualusa didn’t intentionally reveal the identity of the narrator until it brought it up on its own, which made me […] read full post >>

The Book of Chameleons by José Eduardo Agualusa is beautiful and unique to read. The book was also very dreamy and it seemed like I didn’t know what was true and what was a lie or dream throughout the book. We follow the gecko’s point of view back and forth between reality, dreams, and the […] read full post >>

José Saramago’s “Death with Interruptions” has to be one of the most philosophical books I’ve ever read regarding the concept of death and its importance. Now the book was split into two sections: with the first part exploring all the potential political, social, and economical consequences in society should death take a temporary holiday – […] read full post >>