The Last Will and Testament of Senhor Da Silva Araujo (Katrina's Bookray)
Registered by katrinat of Southend-on-Sea, Essex United Kingdom on 8/13/2009
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
22 journalers for this copy...
This is the only fiction which I could find published in English from a Cape Verde author, I'm sending it out as a bookray for all those armchair travellers like myself. I would ask the last person who recieves it to try and keep it moving by raying it forward or something similar.
The Bookray at present:
I finaly got around to reading this and a really Good little book it is too. Not sure why I didn't read it when I set up a bookring for it before, i'm going to try again and hopefully get the same level of interest.
going out as a bookray in the next few days, no rules, just be polite and let me know if there are any problems
bookray list:
ETMadrid (uk/?)
bookguide (netherlands/eu)
haugtussa (norway/pref eu)
okyrhoe (greece/intl)
then back to me, I'll post on to:
judygreeneyes (us/intl)
ealasaidmae (us/intl)
J4shaw(aust/pref oceania)
OPEN TO NEW PARTICIPANTS AT ANY TIME
I'll be including a card in the envelope where I'm requesting that eveyone participating includes a favourite line/short verse of poetry, you are not obliged to join in but please pass on to the next reader.
bookray list:
ETMadrid (uk/?)
bookguide (netherlands/eu)
haugtussa (norway/pref eu)
okyrhoe (greece/intl)
then back to me, I'll post on to:
judygreeneyes (us/intl)
ealasaidmae (us/intl)
J4shaw(aust/pref oceania)
OPEN TO NEW PARTICIPANTS AT ANY TIME
I'll be including a card in the envelope where I'm requesting that eveyone participating includes a favourite line/short verse of poetry, you are not obliged to join in but please pass on to the next reader.
Going off to start the bookring, I hope that you all enjoy the read. Thanks for participating x
Journal Entry 5 by 
ETMadrid
at -- Somewhere in London 🤷♀️ , Greater London United Kingdom on Wednesday, December 8, 2010
ETMadrid at -- Somewhere in London 🤷♀️ , Greater London United Kingdom on Wednesday, December 8, 2010
It arrived today - with the card - thank you!
Journal Entry 6 by ETMadrid at -- Somewhere in London 🤷♀️ , Greater London United Kingdom on Wednesday, December 29, 2010
ETMadrid at -- Somewhere in London 🤷♀️ , Greater London United Kingdom on Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Well I found this a bit of a strange one. It has quite a unique style which is original, but don't expect much action... The references to the Cape Verdean way of life were always quite indirect, and the digs at corruption and nepotism never very blatant. I'll be interested to hear what others make of it.
Released 13 yrs ago (2/4/2011 UTC) at Southwark, Greater London United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
At last I got to the Post Office (it was a close run thing). I am so sorry for not having posted this before - things have been more than a little hectic since the New Year.
Arrived safely today. Now I have to look up where Cape Verde is (blush).
I found this a sad story of a man who basically wasted all the chances in his life to find himself happiness by not acting on his feelings, or acting too late. He could have married Dona Chica and had a happy family life, but was too worried about his reputation. He did chase the lady from Dakar, but she left him with quite another legacy, which he also delayed dealing with. He missed his moment with Dona Joia, postponing his letter too long, and being in any case too tentative, and the mysterious Adélia was not free when he wanted her, and by the time she was, he was no longer interested. His greatest success was his business, and even that he delegates to his nephew Carlos, and yet does not trust him to run it without him. He remains distant from everyone, and even runs his business at a distance with the minimum of bother by selling direct from the ship and the dock and re-exporting many of his imports.
Not surprisingly, I found myself unable to engage with Senhor Napumoceno da Silva Araújo, and so in the end, I found the book unresolved and uninspired. I was hoping to get more of a picture of life in Cape Verde, which turns out to be a nation made up of several islands, several hundred miles off the coast of West Africa. Looking up Germano Almeida on Wikipedia, I read that this book is supposed to show Sr. Napumoceno as a relic of colonialism, but I can't see that, either. A pleasant enough book, but unmemorable.
Not surprisingly, I found myself unable to engage with Senhor Napumoceno da Silva Araújo, and so in the end, I found the book unresolved and uninspired. I was hoping to get more of a picture of life in Cape Verde, which turns out to be a nation made up of several islands, several hundred miles off the coast of West Africa. Looking up Germano Almeida on Wikipedia, I read that this book is supposed to show Sr. Napumoceno as a relic of colonialism, but I can't see that, either. A pleasant enough book, but unmemorable.
I'm really sorry I kept this book so long. It kept getting put to one side and forgotten; I really don't have a good excuse. My sincere apologies for stalling it for months, and I'll try to be a lot more organised in future. I'll be posting it to Haugtussa later today.
This book has been released as part of the following BookCrossing challenges:
- The Ultimate Challenge - read and release books, with extra points for a monthly theme
- Pages Read Challenge - read a self-set target number of pages in 2011. My goal is 25,000.
EDIT: I'm very sorry. This got put to one side again, and disappeared into the back room over Christmas. Finally put in the post on 17th February.
This book has been released as part of the following BookCrossing challenges:
- The Ultimate Challenge - read and release books, with extra points for a monthly theme
- Pages Read Challenge - read a self-set target number of pages in 2011. My goal is 25,000.
EDIT: I'm very sorry. This got put to one side again, and disappeared into the back room over Christmas. Finally put in the post on 17th February.
The book has reached Norway.
I've got a few books lined up before this one, but as I look forward to a wee trip to Cape Verde I might get to this one soonish.
I've got a few books lined up before this one, but as I look forward to a wee trip to Cape Verde I might get to this one soonish.
A strange book, sitting down writing this JE about a week after I finishe the book I can not recall the name of the main character. (To be honest I don't think I managed to learn it whilst reading the book).
I quite enjoyed reading the book, although it did not take me to Cape Verde as I had hoped, not did it stay in my mind.
- nice enough though.
It will move on when I've got an address.
I quite enjoyed reading the book, although it did not take me to Cape Verde as I had hoped, not did it stay in my mind.
- nice enough though.
It will move on when I've got an address.
Arrived in Athens today. Thanks katrinat for including me in the bookray, and haugtussa for posting the book to me!
The story opens with the reading of the will, a scene full of irony and sarcasm that sets the tone for the rest of the book. Should the dead man's will, or rather his memoirs, be taken at face value? Layers of fact and hyperbole peel away, and gradually a more informed opinion of the title character is shaped. He is, to the end, truly a self-made man, in more ways than one...
Thanks for making this book available! Other than the music of Cesaria Evora this is my first virtual foray to Cabo Verde.
I also found The Best Seller, a short story by Germano Almeida.
Thanks for making this book available! Other than the music of Cesaria Evora this is my first virtual foray to Cabo Verde.
I also found The Best Seller, a short story by Germano Almeida.
Journal Entry 15 by okyrhoe at book ring/ray, By Mail/Post/Courier -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Released 11 yrs ago (6/12/2012 UTC) at book ring/ray, By Mail/Post/Courier -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
On its way by post to katrinat. Thanks again for making this book available as a bookray!
Arrived back to me so I can then post it INTL.
The book has arrived in California! Thanks so much for sending it! The card is lovely and I will definitely add a quote. I'm looking forward to reading this and sending it on.
Just a quick update -- I am making good progress on this book and expect to finish it in a few days. I've PM'd the next reader...
This book was interesting to me in that it took place in a location with which I was unfamiliar, the Republic of Cape Verde, and it was a style of books that I had not really read before. The first thing I had to do was to find out something about Cape Verde.
The Republic of Cape Verde is a group of 10 small islands in the central Atlantic Ocean about 350 miles off the coast of Western Africa. The islands are volcanic in origin. A few of them are fairly flat, and others are rocky with some vegetation, but in general they tend to be dry and not very verdant. The native language is Portuguese, and this book was originally written in that language and translated into quite a few other languages prior to being available in English.
The islands were uninhabited when discovered by the Portuguese in the 1400's and became central to the African slave trade. The islands were also popular with pirates and were visited by Charles Darwin in 1832. I wonder if he found any interesting species there, as the islands are so isolated from any other mainland. The islands have few natural resources, but overall the literacy rate is high, the economy and politics are stable. Tourism is a main industry. About 500,000 people, mostly of creole ethnicity, live among these islands today.
This story was not the most scintillating, but I enjoyed it while still wishing (just a bit) that I could finish it and get on to something else. But I learned so many things along the way, like where the Cape Verde islands are, and even what the word "creole" really means.
A creole language is a stable, full-fledged language that originated from a pidgin. So a Portuguese-based creole is based on Portuguese language originally, but has morphed over time to become a stable language of its own. Creole is also a word that describes the people living in a place like Cape Verde -- they are of Portuguese descent but were born and raised in the colony. I did not realize that creole had such a broad meaning. I had never heard the term applied to anyone but the Louisiana creole, but there are creole people and creole languages all over the world. The languages of Haiti, Mauritius, the Seychelles, Barbados. Liberia, and Papua New Guinea are all considered to be creole.
The story is humorous but also a little sad. Sr. Napumoceno did not have as fulfilling a life as he could have, and never was able to find a wife. I think he was not craving children, but he did think a great deal about getting married. I found him to be an odd duck, a person who spent much time thinking but little time sharing his thoughts with others or developing close relationships. Much of this comes out in his lengthy last will and testament.
The Republic of Cape Verde is a group of 10 small islands in the central Atlantic Ocean about 350 miles off the coast of Western Africa. The islands are volcanic in origin. A few of them are fairly flat, and others are rocky with some vegetation, but in general they tend to be dry and not very verdant. The native language is Portuguese, and this book was originally written in that language and translated into quite a few other languages prior to being available in English.
The islands were uninhabited when discovered by the Portuguese in the 1400's and became central to the African slave trade. The islands were also popular with pirates and were visited by Charles Darwin in 1832. I wonder if he found any interesting species there, as the islands are so isolated from any other mainland. The islands have few natural resources, but overall the literacy rate is high, the economy and politics are stable. Tourism is a main industry. About 500,000 people, mostly of creole ethnicity, live among these islands today.
This story was not the most scintillating, but I enjoyed it while still wishing (just a bit) that I could finish it and get on to something else. But I learned so many things along the way, like where the Cape Verde islands are, and even what the word "creole" really means.
A creole language is a stable, full-fledged language that originated from a pidgin. So a Portuguese-based creole is based on Portuguese language originally, but has morphed over time to become a stable language of its own. Creole is also a word that describes the people living in a place like Cape Verde -- they are of Portuguese descent but were born and raised in the colony. I did not realize that creole had such a broad meaning. I had never heard the term applied to anyone but the Louisiana creole, but there are creole people and creole languages all over the world. The languages of Haiti, Mauritius, the Seychelles, Barbados. Liberia, and Papua New Guinea are all considered to be creole.
The story is humorous but also a little sad. Sr. Napumoceno did not have as fulfilling a life as he could have, and never was able to find a wife. I think he was not craving children, but he did think a great deal about getting married. I found him to be an odd duck, a person who spent much time thinking but little time sharing his thoughts with others or developing close relationships. Much of this comes out in his lengthy last will and testament.
It's here!
Well, I liked it. It felt almost like a mystery, peeling back the layers of Sr. Napumoceno's life. I'm still not certain we have a full picture of him and I'm intrigued by what's missing. I enjoyed the subtle humor as well. It bothers me, though, that we don't know what happened to Adelia. She's too much of a loose end. It almost feels like Almeida backed himself into a corner and didn't know what to do with her so he just dropped her. That's my only complaint. Otherwise it was a quick and entertaining read.
I've PM'd j4shaw for an address.
I've PM'd j4shaw for an address.
The book arrived with me today (card included albeit a little bent).I have some study commitments for the next few weeks, but will be sure to leave another JE once I have read the book. I will also revive the forum thread to see if there are any other interested participants as I am the last on the list. I'm sure this will be popular for the 666 challenge.
In 2007/8 I was in Cape Verde for an Xmas and NY holiday, I stayed on the island of Sal.
I have found some more readers for this book, and have sent PMs to those who signed up originally but appear to not have received the book. Those are the ones with ? beside their name, I am waiting for a response to my PM to see if they still want to receive the book.
There are a few ?'s but it doesnt affect the shipping list
Billbooks (Australia will ship int)
Davemurray101 (Australia will ship int)
Sherlockfan (NZ will ship int)
KiwiinEngland (NZ will ship int)
Tubereader (Spain will ship within Europe) -----skipped
Soffitta1 (Spain will ship within Europe)
Icila (France will ship within Europe)
Carmendoran (Scotland will ship within Europe)
Pam99 (Scotland will ship int)
ZZZ (Serbia will ship int)
Mepwave (Israel will ship int)
Annimanni (Finland will ship within Europe) ----book is on it's way here
Askeladda (Norway will ship within Europe)
GronnLivsstil (Norway will ship within Europe)
<<<back to Katrinat in the UK
Journal Entry 23 by 
J4Shaw
at Controlled Release, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Friday, May 24, 2013
J4Shaw at Controlled Release, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Friday, May 24, 2013
Released 10 yrs ago (5/25/2013 UTC) at Controlled Release, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
I've had this book for soo long, I'm sorry about the stall.
I was about 25 pages into it when I unexpectaedly took a 3 month trip back to the UK. When I returned I found it hard to get back into, but didnt want to give up on it, so I read up to page 100 (ish) and then read a few pages at a time inbetween other reads.
It just didnt capture my imagination at all. I think I found the story too descriptive if that makes sense. There was so much emphasis on setting the scene that there wasnt all together too much depth to the story.
Glad to have read it, and appreciate it being offered up as a ring.
This book is packaged and ready to post tomorrow, depending on whether or not I receive a PM from davemurray101 before I go to the PO in the morning, this will either make one more pitt stop in Australia, or be on its way to New Zealand.
Really struggled with this book. I don't know if it lost something in the translation. Also not having a knowledge of the cultural and social nuances I'm not sure.
On its way to NSW posted today
Recieved in the post today. This one will finally put Cape Verde on the literary map for me.
A life of missed opportunities. Found some of the Sr. a bit off-putting at first. Not the best thing I have read but an interesting window into Cape Verde. Posting to Sherlockfan shortly.
Posted to Sherlockfan in NZ.
Posted to Sherlockfan in NZ.
Journal Entry 30 by Sherlockfan at Upper Hutt, Wellington Province New Zealand on Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Arrived today, thanks Dave, and others. None of the items mentioned like envelopes, cards suggested are with the book but it has been travelling for four years now so I suppose that is no surprise.
I'm having a marathon effort on "Madam Bovary" for a book club on Monday; having been away for a couple of months and getting well behind. Not sure why I've not read M.B.before but now that I am struggling with perhaps it is no surprise. Hard going.
However, in view of the 666 Challenge I'll read this book next as I'm behind with that Challenge also. A Portugese writer is new for me so this will be good.
I'm having a marathon effort on "Madam Bovary" for a book club on Monday; having been away for a couple of months and getting well behind. Not sure why I've not read M.B.before but now that I am struggling with perhaps it is no surprise. Hard going.
However, in view of the 666 Challenge I'll read this book next as I'm behind with that Challenge also. A Portugese writer is new for me so this will be good.
Journal Entry 31 by Sherlockfan at Upper Hutt, Wellington Province New Zealand on Monday, September 9, 2013
Controlled Release
Handing this book to KiwiinEngland at tonight's meeting of the Wellington Bookcrossers at our new venue in the Chicago Sports Bar on Queens Wharf.
Although I didn't journal it when I finished reading it I really enjoyed this rather quirky book and it was most interesting to have my first ever contact with Cape Verde. Not only that but I've always enjoyed reading about the inevitable struggles when folk try to do clever things with wills or use their influence even when they've moved.
Handing this book to KiwiinEngland at tonight's meeting of the Wellington Bookcrossers at our new venue in the Chicago Sports Bar on Queens Wharf.
Although I didn't journal it when I finished reading it I really enjoyed this rather quirky book and it was most interesting to have my first ever contact with Cape Verde. Not only that but I've always enjoyed reading about the inevitable struggles when folk try to do clever things with wills or use their influence even when they've moved.
Journal Entry 32 by kiwiinengland at Wellington City, Wellington Province New Zealand on Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Received with thanks
Journal Entry 33 by kiwiinengland at Wellington City, Wellington Province New Zealand on Saturday, September 28, 2013
A meander book looking at the life of a lonely man who trusts slowly and imagines betrayal quickly. I think this would be best read in one or two seasons, to keep a hold on the plot.
Thanks for sending it on, I enjoyed reading a book set in this small island.
Thanks for sending it on, I enjoyed reading a book set in this small island.
Journal Entry 34 by kiwiinengland at Wellington City, Wellington Province New Zealand on Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Released 10 yrs ago (10/14/2013 UTC) at Wellington City, Wellington Province New Zealand
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Having had no response to my PM's to tubereader, this book is heading off to Soffitta1 - who has moved to England! Enjoy.
Thanks for including me in this, it arrived very quickly!
I had completely forgotten that I had signed up for this book set in Cape Verde for my Olympic Challenge. It is a short book, the story of a man who has a surprise to share in his will, a will that takes the form of a collection of over 300 pages. The book itself looks at these pages, more of a memoir than a will, and follows his story and that of those he left behind trying to make sense of it all. It is a sad book in many ways, no one truly knew the titular Senhor, so many parts of his life were hidden from public view, and so there is a real feeling of missed opportunities, both on the part of Araujo and his family.
I PMed Icila a couple of days ago, hopefully I will get a reply soon. Thanks to everyone for sharing.
I PMed Icila a couple of days ago, hopefully I will get a reply soon. Thanks to everyone for sharing.
To be sent to France. Enjoy!
Thanks for the book and all the cards,bookmarks and BC stuff in a well-travelled enveloppe (six layers of addresses and stamps ! I love it.)
Stalled by mistake. The book was hidden behind a pile. Senhor Da Silva Araujo's little joke ?
Absolutely humourous, sad too.
Beautiful style.
Absolutely humourous, sad too.
Beautiful style.
En route to Carmendoran !
Just arrived and will start it as soon as I finish my current book.
Struggled with this book, couldn't really get into it I guess...
Arrived safely over the weekend, will read when I finish my current book!
like others I struggled to get into this at first but I did enjoy it overall; very poetically written. I had to look Cape Verde up on the map - well done Katrinat for finding a book from there!
UPDATE: really sorry, hit a very busy period at work/life and this book sat on my desk until the end of term, waiting patiently for me to post it! I never heard back from ZZZ so will contact the next person on the list.
UPDATE: really sorry, hit a very busy period at work/life and this book sat on my desk until the end of term, waiting patiently for me to post it! I never heard back from ZZZ so will contact the next person on the list.
finally in the post to the next reader... apologies for taking so long!
Yay! So excited to receive the book and it will be next book scaled on Mount TBR :) It looks short so hopefully I'll be able to get it to the next participant soon.
I enjoyed this little work and really felt transported to Cape Verde. Quite a character study. Now I'll post it to the next participant.
Sending this off to Annimanni!
Book arrived safely, thanks very much! I'll get to it shortly.
Well, I guess I wasn't in the right mindset to read about Senhor da Silva Araujo's exploits right now as my mind kept wandering when trying to read this. I struggled through though, if only to get to check Cape Verde off my country list ;) Thanks for sharing nevertheless!
***
Off to Askeladda next. Have the address already.
***
Off to Askeladda next. Have the address already.
Exciting! I've never read a book from Cape Verde, only heard a lady from Cape Verde sing Fado. Thank you very much for sending. I have to finish two other bookring books and four short stories before I can start reading. The book looks interesting.
Just a note to say I've started reading! Im sorry, but I had forgotten this was a ring book.... So it has unfortunately been stalled for quite a while.
I've read about one third of the book, and I find it quite interesting! Looking forward to read the rest of it.
I've read about one third of the book, and I find it quite interesting! Looking forward to read the rest of it.
I quite enjoyed the book! I liked the way the story is told and I enjoyed the glimses og Cape verdian culture. Allways interesting to read book from other countries.
The book will continue it's travelling.
The book will continue it's travelling.
On it's way to the next reader!
Recieved it in the mail today. I just need to finish a couple of books, but I will read it as soon as I can.
It was one of those books that I stuggled to read because I felt it jumped a bit too much between the past and the present.
I know there is a couple of others who are maybe interested in reading this book and I'll PM them to check.
I know there is a couple of others who are maybe interested in reading this book and I'll PM them to check.
Sorry for the delay, the book is now sent to the next reader.
The book has arrived safely to Jönköping in Sweden. Thanks for sharing, katrinat!
A nice and charming book and quite easy to read.
The book is now on its way to Nordpirat. Happy reading!
The book is with me now. Thank you!
I simply don't know what do with this book. All I want to do is to send it along, but I have no address.
I've been trying to contact katrinat on a number of occasions during the past year, but I've been unsuccessful to reach her.
I've thought about releasing it at the bookcrossing convention, but doing so without consent doesn't seem quite right either...
I've been trying to contact katrinat on a number of occasions during the past year, but I've been unsuccessful to reach her.
I've thought about releasing it at the bookcrossing convention, but doing so without consent doesn't seem quite right either...
Journal Entry 63 by 
Nordpirat
at Bookcrossing Convention Oslo 2017 in St. Hanshaugen bydel, Oslo fylke Norway on Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Nordpirat at Bookcrossing Convention Oslo 2017 in St. Hanshaugen bydel, Oslo fylke Norway on Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Released 7 yrs ago (4/21/2017 UTC) at Bookcrossing Convention Oslo 2017 in St. Hanshaugen bydel, Oslo fylke Norway
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
I've got reply and ok for release now. Thank you!
Releasing at the book buffet table. Happy BC convention!
Releasing at the book buffet table. Happy BC convention!
