Germano Almeida

I originally thought this book was a mildly humorous story revealing the true nature of the deceased, which was so different than how he saw himself. I was bothered by his decision to hate his nephew mostly based on reasons he conjured in his own mind, when his nephew most likely made the ungrateful old man wealthy.

I had to force myself to keep reading after Sr. Araújo raped his housekeeper and thus beget his daughter. No way around it, he raped her. When asked about it after he’d died, she said she wanted it. But that’s not how it was depicted when it happened. In fact, I rather despise the author for making this excuse later in the book. The man was a self-important, despicable, ungrateful character who used women repeatedly for his own gratification.… (meer)

First line: "The reading of the last will and testament of Sr. Napumoceno da Silva Araujo ate up a whole afternoon.

Last line: "But then he woke up and said I must have been dreaming but he stayed in that half-sleep and the following morning I came into the room to open the window and he didn't say Good Morning as he usually did and I thought that maybe he was still sleeping and only when I opened the window did I see he was sleeping the sleep of the angels."

The book opens with the reading of the will of Senhor da Silva Araujo in the city of Mindelo on the island of Sao Vicente in the Cape Verde archipelago. Senhor da Silva Araujo is believed to have led a chaste and unimpeachable life. He is one of the wealthiest men in the city, and his nephew Carlos, who has worked side by side with him in his business, is expected to be his sole heir. Then, as the reading of the will begins, it becomes apparent that Carlos has been disinherited in favor of Senhor da Silva Araujo's previously unknown illegitimate daughter. There follows the true story of Senhor da Silva Araujo's life, including excerpts from the 387 will in which he himself related his life story.

I enjoyed reading about life in this remote island country, of which I was only previously aware from my love of the music of Cesaria Evora (that voice!), and she indeed has a brief mention in the book. It was an engaging read, and I'm glad I read it, but it won't go on my list of favorites for the year.

3 stars… (meer)

Es ist ein eigenartiges Testament, dass der Notar in Anwesenheit der Hinterbliebenen zu verlesen hat: Der Verstorbene Napumoceno da Silva Araújo, ein angesehener Händler auf den Kapverden, hat eine 387-Seiten lange Abhandlung hinterlassen, die mehr an einen Lebensrückblick als an einen herkömmlichen letzten Willen erinnert. Und das Testament des Herrn Napumoceno bringt Erstaunliches zu Tage, offenbart es neben einer ledigen Tochter nämlich noch das eine oder andere erotische Stelldichein sowie bemerkenswerte und groteske Erlebnisse, die die Kaufmannskarriere des Verfassers in einem anderen Licht erscheinen lassen.

Almeida hat einen humorvollen Lebensrückblick geschaffen. Jedes Thema ergibt das nächste und so lernt der Leser den Testator Napumoceno nach und nach genauer kennen. Obwohl Napumocenos Testament Ausgangspunkt des Romans ist, handelt es sich um eine auktoriale Erzählung, die ausschweifend und bildhaft auf die kapverdischen Inseln Mitte des letzten Jahrhunderts versetzt.… (meer)