Near to the Wild Heart

You know me, I'm not particularly fond of books that are heavy on monologues, melancholic, and overly poetic. However, in the spirit of broadening my horizons to different genres, I decided to give a chance to a book by Clarice Lispector, who is widely praised as one of the greatest female writers of the century, and loved by many for phrases like "I rediscovered my femininity" and considered "a must-read before turning 30." Am I regretting it? A bit.

It's not easy to summarize the book's plot, but it mainly follows Joana's journey from childhood to young adulthood with a loose narrative. It focuses on her conversations with her father, husband, and most importantly, herself. Joana is a unique character (I have to say "unfortunately"), who overthinks everything, is introverted, melancholic, and in my opinion, quite anxious. These traits add depth to the book but for me, it was exhausting—a book that opened up endless topics and left me wondering how such a slim book could feel so heavy.

Of course, it wouldn't be fair for me to say I don't understand why some readers liked it. There were indeed sections that made me reevaluate my relationships with men in my life, my views on marriage, and self-worth. Sometimes, though, I found myself pondering over sentences I didn't fully grasp. Yet, as I mentioned earlier, Clarice reminded me why I usually avoid challenging and unclear works that require full attention to understand.

Nevertheless, reading this book encouraged me to reflect on my relationships and myself in a new light, making it worth the read. Maybe when you read it, it'll resonate with you differently and evoke different emotions. It's like the story of blind men touching an elephant in a dark room; each perceives it differently because they touched different parts. One might describe it as a tall column, while another might think it's a sharp stone. I think that's exactly what the author intended. If you enjoy challenging reads, this book might be perfect for you.

How was she to tie herself to a man without permitting him to imprison her? And was there some means of acquiring things without those things possessing her?