Fernando Pessoa published Mensagem in 1934, the only book of poems in Portuguese that appeared in his lifetime. Its forty-four poems are arranged in three parts: Brasão, which presents figures from Portuguese history as parts of a coat of arms; Mar Português, which deals with the age of discoveries; and O Encoberto, which looks toward a future rebirth of the nation. The poems combine patriotism, mysticism and an attention to symbol, including the myth of King Sebastian.
Readers who want to understand Pessoa beyond his heteronyms, or who are curious about Portuguese identity and history in verse, will find a concentrated, serious work. It is short, but rewards slow reading and some background on Portuguese history.
Deep and open-ended; a moderate read.
Best for readers like The Literary Connoisseur. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 1996
- Publisher
- Association Archives Litterature Latinoameric
- ISBN
- 9788489666276
- Language
- PT
