A General Theory of Oblivion

A General Theory of Oblivion (Portuguese: Teoria Geral do Esquecimento) is a 2013 novel by Angolan author José Eduardo Agualusa.

A General Theory of Oblivion
Book Cover
AuthorJosé Eduardo Agualusa
Original titleTeoria Geral do Esquecimento
TranslatorDaniel Hahn
CountryAngola
LanguagePortuguese
GenreFiction
PublisherHarvill Secker (UK edition)
Archipelago Books (US edition)
Published in English
June 25, 2015 (UK)
December 15, 2015 (USA)
Media typePrint, digital
Awards2017 International Dublin Literary Award
ISBN978-0-914671-31-2 (first US edition, hardcover)
Preceded byRainy Season 

The novel recounts the story of a Portuguese woman who locks herself into her apartment with Angola on the brink of independence. She attempts to cut herself off from the external world for three decades until she meets a young boy who informs her of the radical changes which have occurred in the country in the intervening years.[1] The book is based on real-life events.[2]

Written in the author's native language of Portuguese, it was translated into English by Daniel Hahn in 2015. The novel marked the continuation of Hahn's long collaboration with Agualusa. The English version of the novel received acclaim from Western audiences.[3]

The novel appeared on the short-list for the 2016 Man Booker International Prize, losing to The Vegetarian. The novel was the recipient of the 2017 International Dublin Literary Award,[4][5] one of the largest literary prizes in the world, with a prize of €100,000.[6]

Plot

Background

The novel is set in Luanda, on the eve of, and during the immediate aftermath of Angola's independence from Portugal.[7][8] The war for independence has left the area in a tumultuous and dangerous state, having raged for over twelve years. Moreover, tensions among the anti-colonial forces[9] (funded by the Soviet Union)[10] indicate that there could be continued violence and terror after independence is achieved.

Plot

The novel revolves around Ludo, a Portuguese woman living in the Angolan capital. In the midst of all the violence and chaos caused by the anti-colonial movement's clashes with Portuguese authorities, she decides to isolate herself from society by bricking herself into her penthouse apartment. She provides sustenance for herself by growing vegetables and luring pigeons into the apartment through a window. She incinerates her furniture to provide heat. The story is told from her perspective over the span of 30 years. The only information that she receives about the outside world and the political situation it faces comes from news reports on the radio, or the conversations of neighbours which she overhears.[1]

This situation is changed when she encounters Sabalu, a young boy who attempts to burgle her apartment. Through their interactions, she uncovers the events which have shaken Angola since her self-ostracisation three decades earlier.

Critical reception

The book, owing to its concept of restricting a protagonist to a specific room, has been compared to Room by Emma Donoghue.[11]

Critics praised Agualusa for his subject matter, stating that he was responsible for opening up "the world of Portuguese-speaking Africa to the English-speaking community."[12] He attracted further critical praise for the manner in which he condensed a cryptic and complicated conflict into a "succinctly summarised and easily understandable" package.[13]

The novel was acknowledged on both the long- and short-lists for the 2016 Man Booker International Prize. It competed under the Prize's revised rules, which place a greater emphasis on translated works. The award was eventually given to The Vegetarian.[14]

The novel was also the recipient of the 2017 International Dublin Literary Award, which, with a monetary reward of €100,000, makes it the 21st largest literary award along with five other awards.[15] In accordance with the rules of the award, Agualusa and Hahn will share the award along a 75%:25% split respectively.[16] Agualusa stated that he intended to use part of the reward to "realise a life-long dream" and construct a public library on the Island of Mozambique, his adopted home.[4]

References
  1. "A General Theory of Oblivion". Retrieved 21 June 2017.
  2. "A General Theory of Oblivion review". Financial Times.
  3. "A General Theory Of Oblivion by José Eduardo Agualusa; trans. Daniel". 2 July 2015.
  4. Kean, Danuta (21 June 2017). "Angolan writer José Eduardo Agualusa wins €100,000 International Dublin literary award" – via The Guardian.
  5. "International Dublin Literary Award 2017: José Eduardo Agualusa wins for A General Theory of Oblivion — Independent.ie".
  6. "José Eduardo Agualusa wins €100,000 International Dublin Literary Award". Retrieved 21 June 2017.
  7. "A General Theory of Oblivion by José Eduardo Agualusa – Archipelago".
  8. "A General Theory of Oblivion by Jose Eduardo Agualusa – Quarterly Conversation". quarterlyconversation.com. Archived from the original on 2017-04-25. Retrieved 2017-06-22.
  9. "UCDP – Uppsala Conflict Data Program". ucdp.uu.se.
  10. SRAS.ORG. "The Soviet Union in Angola". www.sras.org. Archived from the original on 2017-01-18. Retrieved 2017-06-22.
  11. Book Review:A General Theory of Oblivion, archived from the original on 19 April 2017, retrieved 21 June 2017
  12. "Book review: A General Theory Of Oblivion". www.scotsman.com.
  13. "Spare My Wrists : Review of A General Theory of Oblivion by José Eduardo Agualusa --- Jeff Bursey". Numéro Cinq. 12 March 2016.
  14. "The Vegetarian wins the Man Booker International Prize 2016 – The Man Booker Prizes". themanbookerprize.com.
  15. "Angolan novelist wins Dublin Literary Award – Features – Book News – Hot Press". Hot Press – Music News, Reviews, Interviews plus Pop Culture and Politics.
  16. "Angolan writer José Eduardo Agualusa wins 2017 International DUBLIN Literary Award". www.cbc.ca.
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