The last word: Portuguese writer António Lobo Antunes remembered by his French translator

The Last Word: Portuguese Writer António Lobo Antunes Remembered by His French Translator

António Lobo Antunes is widely regarded as a towering figure in Portuguese literature, his contributions spanning much of the 20th century and into the early 21st. His influence, second only to José Saramago, who won the 1998 Nobel Prize for Literature and passed away in 2010, has shaped generations of readers and fellow authors. His works, both in Portugal and globally, have been extensively translated and analyzed, cementing his status as a literary icon.

The war in Angola, where Lobo Antunes served as a military doctor from 1970 to 1973, became the cornerstone of his creative output. His early novels, such as Memory of an Elephant and The Land at the End of the World, are deeply autobiographical, while his later works continue to reflect this foundational experience. These books explore recurring themes of memory, familial bonds, and the psychological toll of conflict, woven into a style that is unmistakably his own.

A Translator’s Journey with Lobo Antunes

His French translator, who began their collaboration in 2011 with My Name is Legion, has dedicated over a decade to bringing the author’s words to new audiences. The translator recalls a pivotal moment when they asked Lobo Antunes,

“Now what do we do?”

and the author responded,

“It’s a marriage for life.”

This sentiment has guided their work ever since, culminating in the recent delivery of their tenth translated book, Dictionary of the Language of Flowers (Diccionário da Linguagem das Flores), to Christian Bourgois.

Translating Lobo Antunes’ work demands meticulous care, as his style is both intricate and distinctive. The translator explains,

“To match his talent requires attention, patience, and a willingness to slow down the process.”

This deliberate pace ensures that the French reader remains immersed in the author’s vivid narrative, unaware of the challenges faced during translation. The translator emphasizes the dynamic energy of Lobo Antunes’ writing, which blends speed, fluidity, and profound content into a seamless experience.

Over the past 15 years, Lobo Antunes’ style has evolved, yet his latest works feel like a cohesive narrative. The translator highlights Until the Stones Become Lighter than Water as a prime example, noting that it encapsulates the author’s entire universe. The novel revisits the Angola war, enriching earlier themes with a refined mastery of his literary technique. This book, they say, represents the height of his creative achievements.

For the translator, Lobo Antunes was more than an author—they were a mentor. The translator’s debut in book form came in 1992, thanks to a recommendation from the author. Initially writing for DN Jovem, they experimented with various styles, often emulating writers like Saramago or Almeida Faria. It was Lobo Antunes, however, who most helped them discover their voice, as they reflect,

“He was perhaps the author who most helped me ‘get the hang of it.’”

Their professional relationship deepened through years of interviews, including a two-year project for a biography published in 2009.

Throughout their collaboration, the translator accompanied Lobo Antunes to events across Europe, from the Netherlands to the United States. They describe the author as a writer who lived solely for his craft, with a style that was neither easy nor conventional.

“He wasn’t a fluid writer,”

the translator notes,

“but his books conceal the effort, leaving readers with only the power of his storytelling.”

This unique quality continues to inspire both his work and the legacy of Lobo Antunes’ writing.