43 pages • 1 hour read
The Hour of the Star
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Book Brief
86
Novella • Fiction
Rio De Janeiro • 1970s
1977
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In The Hour of the Star, Rodrigo S.M. narrates the life of Macabéa, a destitute and marginalized young woman from Alagoas living in the slums of Rio de Janeiro. Her days are marked by insignificance and poverty; she endures abusive relationships, dreams modestly, and ultimately seeks hope from a fortuneteller who foresees a brighter future. Macabéa's struggle embodies deeper philosophical inquiries about identity and existence. Themes of abuse and graphic depictions of suffering occur throughout.
Melancholic
Contemplative
Mysterious
Emotional
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
39,303 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Clarice Lispector's The Hour of the Star is widely acclaimed for its innovative narrative style and profound existential themes. Critics praise its lyrical prose and nuanced portrayal of poverty and identity. Some, however, find its fragmented structure challenging. Overall, Lispector's exploration of the human condition stands as a striking, unique contribution to literature.
Who Should Read The Hour of the Star?
Readers who relish introspective and lyrical narratives will enjoy Clarice Lispector's The Hour of the Star. Fans of Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway and Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis will appreciate Lispector's meditation on existential anguish and identity within a fragmented and poetic framework.
39,303 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Macabéa
Macabéa
The protagonist within Rodrigo S. M.'s story, inspired by a girl from the northeast whose simple life and demeanor he attempts to capture through his writing.
Olímpico de Jesus Moreira Chaves
Olímpico de Jesus Moreira Chaves
A factory worker and Macabéa’s boyfriend, whose brash and ambitious nature contrasts sharply with Macabéa’s gentleness and simplicity.
Glória
Glória
Macabéa's coworker, who is skilled and confident in her work and plays a larger role in Macabéa's life when she begins dating Olímpico.
Madame Carlota
Madame Carlota
A fortune teller who provides Macabéa with insights about her future, offering her a sense of hope and possibility.
86
Novella • Fiction
Rio De Janeiro • 1970s
1977
Adult
18+ years
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