Água Viva

2.75⭐️

Água Viva isn’t a novel in the traditional sense, and I think that’s important to know before picking it up. Lispector has created something much more experimental: a lyrical, stream-of-consciousness work that reads like a long prose poem or philosophical diary. Spoiler alert: there’s no plot, no characters to follow, just a narrator drifting through thoughts on time, sensation, art, and existence.

So, if you go in expecting a story, you’ll probably be disappointed. But if you enjoy untethered philosophical musings, you might find a lot to appreciate here!

For me, the musings felt a bit too meandering and broad in scope, without much focus to anchor me. Maybe I wasn’t in the right state of mind for it because I found myself craving something more structured. On the flip side, this same sweeping, unrestrained quality could be exactly what another reader is looking for, especially if they’re in the mood to let their mind wander along with the narrator.

The writing itself is beautiful, which is no surprise coming from Lispector. Her sentences often stop you in your tracks. Even though Água Viva didn’t resonate with me as much as The Hour of the Star, I still admire the talent and originality behind it.