Customer Reviews

A God Strolling in the Cool of the Evening (Pegasus Prize for Literature)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Quite frankly, I was drawn to Carvalho's excellent novel by a combination of three factors: (1) The title was fascinating; (2) I am a sucker for fiction set in Roman times; and (3) the translator was Gregory Rabassa.

Picture to yourself a basically good men who was the magistrate of a small city in Roman Portugal (then called Lusitania) during the reign of Marcus Aurelius. Lucius Valerius Quintius is basically a good man who is left to his own devices because his social peers could not care to help shoulder the burden of governing.

But suddenly, news is heard of a large group of Moors that have crossed the Mediterranean and are pillaging Lusitanian towns. In addition, a small group of Christians is playing havoc with the local citizenry, who suspect them of cannibalism or worse. Quintius fortifies the town and helps to foil a Moorish attack, but he finds the Christians to be a stickier problem.

To begin with, he is fascinated by Iunia Cantaber, a well-born widow who, as leader of the Christian community, has a lemming drive toward martyrdom. The crises lead to an energizing of the citizenry, who begin to push Quintius farther than he wants and leads to a trial, which has a surprising outcome -- that I will not divulge -- and the outcome is that Quintius is forced to take on the Christians. After the trial, he takes the hint and surrenders his office to retire to his villa.

Christianity has suffered a setback in Tarcisis, but the God who strolls in the cool of an evening bides His time. A good men has been befuddled -- but isn't that always what happens in the political arena?

Carvalho's novel falls under the heading of light fiction. It partakes of a gentle irony that wears well through its length. The translation is by the great Gregory Rabassa, whose renderings of Latin-American fiction by Jorge Amado and Gabriel Garcia Marquez have made his name a standard of quality.

First things first - _A God Strolling..._ was an engaging read. Previous reviewers have touched on the excellent development of setting and atmosphere, and I agree that de Carvalho pulls the reader into a colorful and complex representation of the Roman Empire at the precise moment it began to wane. The book is certainly worth reading for this reason alone, especially for those interested in historical fiction.

But above all, the book is a character study; the protagonist Quintius is its focus. As a character study, the book left me wanting a bit more - it's not the study of a strong and inspiring character as the other reviews here suggest. The N.Y. Times review above focuses on his "moral code, as well as a provocative meditation on the difficulty of leading a virtuous life in as era of tumultuous change." Quintius is a reluctant magistrate, forced into the seat of power by lazy demagogues who would rather not be burdened with responsibility. And though Quintius holds steadfastly to his perception of duty as a Roman citizen, his perception is out of step with the society around him. Rather than drawing strength from his convictions and being a strong ruler, he seems buffeted by the sea of events around him: political rivals, threats from without, the emerging Christian faith within his city, and a strange obsession with a female, Iunia.

In short this is not an inspiring story of the triumph of a moral soul, but a study of the torture of seeing things differently than the masses. If this was the author's desired effect, then the book is an unqualified success. However, I thought some of the tools used in reaching this end were under-developed. Quintius' obsession with Iunia drives the novel near the end, and I never understood the motivation for this relationship (admittedly, I guess neither did Quintius...). And ultimately, I hoped to see a development or substantial change in the protagonist in the end, and found little.

Readers who enjoy Jose Saramago will likely find de Carvalho interesting. I enjoyed reading the book. I don't know if I _liked_ the book. If you crave historical ambiance, or generating feelings of uneasiness in yourself, you will enjoy reading the book. I'm not sure if you'll _like_ it either, though...

Other reviewers have dealt with the plot and setting of this book. For me, its principal value lies in its evocation of the details of daily life in a remote area of the Roman empire. The most inspired scene is the one where the Duumvir takes a night stroll along the aquaduct, above the city streets. A possible weakness is the rather self-conscious treatment of the early Christian doctrines and practices. But a very interesting and rewarding read.

For a long time I have searched for historical fiction in an antique setting that is of the caliber of Bryher, Yourcenar, Graves, Duggan. So many current examples are modern projections, anachronistic, unlettered, or just the wrong voice. In this novel, I can happily say I have found a great work to accompany my favorites. Carvalho's narrator speaks authentically with that unique voice of his era, at once worldly-wise, oppressed by fate, caught in the inevitability of not being able to reconcile his world with his convictions.

In my opinion, this the best novel of Carvalho.It's choice of vocabulary and fraseology puts you right in the middle of the Forum. Besides historic facts (like the advent of christianity and the formation of a country), it is a fabulous exercice on the solitute of power and the learning of politics.

You will! Count on that! But just start reading it again and you'll be alright. This great lisbon writter invites us to visit the ancient time when the Roman Empire was still expanding. The action occurs in Tarcisis, a city in the Iberian Peninsula with roman jurisdiction and Lucius is its governer... A story of love, betrayal and the constant relationship between Man and God is what Mário de Carvalho offers us in this novel that invites our imagination to stroll in the cool of the evening...

As I was saying to my beautiful wife, Deborah, this book has earned my highest praise. It is more than "excellent;" the minute I finished it, I began reading it again. The book is not just a commentary about the Iberian Pennisula so many years ago; rather, it is a mirror in which we see through an ancient glass how corrupt and devoid of values our own society has become.

Mario de Carvalho's novel set in the fictional town of Tarcisis during the dying years of Marcus Aurelius reign as Emperor of the Roman Empire fully deserves the Pegasus Prize for Literature dealing as it does with a civic leader's attempt over a six month period to deal with several fundamental issues ending with the trial of fervent Christianity in a small town atmosphere that is itself under social change and duress.
The story concerns the administration of the sole duumvir (the other dying off quite quickly mid-term), Lucius Valerius Quintius, husband of Mara, focusing on two main areas of action. The first is the impending arrival of the human migration of Moors at the city walls, the other the advent of a Christian sect. Weaving into both is his relationship with Rufus Cardillius, aedile-elect and tavernkeeper and with Iunia Cantaber, daughter of the respected equestrian, Maximus Cantaber, who has become a fervent Christian.
After an opening skirmish with Pontius Velutius Modius over the destruction of his house to replace the crumbling city wall and his subsequent suicide and the capture of Arsenna, a highwayman, by his trusted centurion, Aulus, Lucius finds his attempt to emulate his philosopher emperor brings him into odds with the people he is entrusted to care for. His very aloofness removes him from the common mind and he patently struggles at times to understand human nature. All of which stands him in bad stead when he is reluctantly forced to deal with the Christian sect and, more particularly, confront the nature of his personal relationship with Iunia who is determined upon a course of martyrdom. With an assorted supporting cast including Ennius Calpurnius, a senator, Lucius allows events to wash past him in an almost emotionless way as he defends his city from attack and struggles to understand the new religion that has come to his city whilst retaining his philosophical way of life.
Partway through Carvalho returns us to Rome for a flashback at the Colesseum where Lucius is singled out personally by Marcus Aurelius for some advice that remains with his for his entire life, if only when he realises he is not following it.
The novel is beautifully crafted and the inner struggles portrayed in the book are timeless yet vividly drawn bringing a cast of characters to life in a manner that is both tragic and joyful, full of justice and injustice, yet all the while a sense of fate looms large, an inexorability that social change is slow to come and cannot be rushed. Carvalho's novel fully justifies its recognition.

"A God Strolling..." is a difficult book to review. The story at face value is simple enough (see other reviews). But.....is it just unabashed Christian propaganda? Or, is it an accurate, fictionalized historical novel about the failing Roman Empire, set in what became modern day Portugal? Or, is it a complex allegory about man's clumsy, disastrous and futile attempts to deal fearfully with the unknown through superstition, religion, and a ridiculous set of Gods - or any God at all? Perhaps it's a straightforward story about a reasonably intelligent and moral man saddled with uncomfortable responsibilities and an inclination to go against public opinion in the exercise of his duties? Perhaps it is about one's personal "blind spots," when we are quick to condemn others for what amounts to our own idiocy and failures to see clearly our own deeper emotional desires and motivations?

After a slow, rocky beginning, Mario de Carvalho's tale becomes engrossing, though it is not a "page-turner." His style of writing is clear and detailed, very sweet to read. Page 254, "... Calpurnius awake now, was measuring Iunia with his dull little eyes." The translation is okay for the most part but often rather stilted because translator Gregory Rabassa inserted obtuse and arcane words, when simpler ones would better fit the story. (Is the original manuscript in Portuguese so frozen in its usage?) Looking on the bright side, you will increase your vocabulary.

The book really, really needs a glossary of un-translated Roman terms and concepts, as well as an accurate era-relevant timetable of historical facts, events and people. Without these" would-be helpful" additions, the reader is often left struggling to understand clearly the historical context so crucial to appreciation of de Carvahlo's novel.

The trial of the Christians at the book's end is wonderful. The spectacle was reminiscent of accounts of the bizarre political-hysterical, prejudice-driven trials of Oscar Wilde (1895), Socrates (399 BC), Salem Witchcraft (1692), Thomas Moore (1535) and so many others throughout history, including the obverse of the theme of this book: the Inquisition. Read anything written by Arturo Perez-Reverte for powerful denunciations of the Catholic church.

Mario de Carvalho is notable and famously decorated with honors for this and other works. While he is knowledgeable about Roman customs, rites, superstitions, dress, rituals, and common practices, at times de Carvalho seems to be just "showing off," rather than more cleverly integrating his knowledge into the fabric of the story.

For another style, but with impeccable accuracy about all things Roman, see the modern-day Roman expert and widely read American author, Steven Saylor. ([...])

What's tiresome in "A God Strolling" are the infernal, persistent internal musings of the main character, the hapless duumvir of mythical of the city of Tarcisis, Lucius Quintus, its magistrate. These self doubts often go on for many sentences and long passages, even if rather poignant and accurate introspection of an ordinary man. Lucius, of course, misses the major insight he needs for self-understanding - his yearning for and infatuation with Iunia.

What's really wonderful about the story, though, are the full body slams he delivers to all belief systems, religions, and superstitions. That alone makes this book worth reading ! Page 231, " ... Every religion lays down the most surprising prohibitions regarding food. ... And it isn't just the ignorant plebeians who cling to these cults, these superstitions, and these practices. De Carvalho is at his best when totally destroying any and all belief systems, including Lucius' own crazy group of Roman gods.

Throughout, one feels the inevitable: change will indeed come, and Rome will fall. The Moors will re-invade and will occupy most of the Iberian Peninsula for hundreds of years. A Tschykowsky-like acceptance of their fate awaits the inhabitants of Tarcisis.

I liked this story. It's a clear 4 on Amazon's rating scale.

Many readers have praised Gregory Rabassa's translation, but I found it often jolted to a stop because he had chosen to use such an unfamiliar term. Here are a handful of examples.

Versicles: "Depression had given way to rage, to judge by the hardening of faces and the vigorous way they finished the versicles."

Chiaroscuros: "The surroundings, the shadows, the chiaroscuros, the dazzling window, all gradually took shape again."

Ensorcell: "In any case, why would she have wanted to ensorcell me?"

Desistence: "Aulus left, interpreting - and rightly so - my reconciled silence as desistence."