Near to the Wild Heart

by Clarice Lispector
Near to the Wild Heart cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Literary Fiction
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  • ID: 11570
  • Added: 2026-03-10
  • Updated: 2026-03-10
  • ISBN: 9780811220026
  • Publisher: New Directions Publishing
  • Published: 2012-06-13
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 3

Near to the Wild Heart, published in 1943, is Clarice Lispector's sensational first book that captivated Brazil with its raw and introspective narrative. The novel introduces readers to Joana, a middle-class woman whose life is chronicled from her childhood through an unhappy marriage and its dissolution, ultimately leading to her transcendence. The book's title, inspired by James Joyce, reflects its deep exploration of the human psyche and the wild heart of life. /n/n Lispector's unique style, characterized by narrative epiphanies and interior monologue, sets the stage for Joana's journey. The novel's unprecedented success marked the discovery of a literary genius and established Lispector as a significant voice in Brazilian literature. This new translation brings Lispector's profound and evocative prose to a new generation of readers.

Reviews
JacquiWine's Blog · 2015-05-04
dazzling 4.25

The novel is intriguing but challenging, with excellent and poetic writing. It is a dazzling exploration of a young woman's inner world.

This reviewer found the novel to be both intriguing and challenging, praising the excellent and poetic writing. The story delves deeply into the inner world of a young woman, offering a unique and dazzling perspective. The reviewer appreciates the depth and beauty of the prose, which makes the reading experience both rewarding and thought-provoking. However, the challenging nature of the text may require a more attentive and patient reader.

Quick quotes

    All in all, I found Near to the Wild Heart an intriguing but challenging novel.

    The writing is excellent – dazzling and poetic at times.

    It's a slim novel, but it packs a powerful punch.

Tony's Reading List · 2014-10-28
intriguing 4.00

The novel is a swirling, Woolfian tale of a young woman who stands out for her inability to conform to comfortable bourgeois norms. The writing is introspective and thought-provoking.

This reviewer finds the novel to be a captivating exploration of a young woman's mind, highlighting her refusal to conform to societal expectations. The writing style is introspective and reminiscent of Virginia Woolf, making it a thought-provoking read. The reviewer appreciates the depth and complexity of the protagonist's thoughts and experiences, which are beautifully captured in the narrative. However, the challenging nature of the text may not appeal to all readers.

Quick quotes

    It's a swirling, Woolfian tale of a young woman who stands out for her inability to conform to comfortable bourgeois norms.

    Hers is certainly a mind less concerned with the mundane and more with the profound.

    The writing is introspective and thought-provoking.

The Guardian · 2012-09-22
original 4.50

The originality of the novel lies in its technique and language, which are self-conscious, bleakly humorous, and poetic.

This reviewer highlights the originality of the novel, particularly in its technique and language. The writing is self-conscious, bleakly humorous, and poetic, making it a unique and memorable read. The reviewer appreciates the novel's ability to capture the essence of a young woman's inner turmoil and her struggle to find her place in the world. The challenging nature of the text is acknowledged, but the reviewer finds it to be a rewarding and thought-provoking experience.

Quick quotes

    The originality of Near to the Wild Heart lies in its technique and language: self-conscious, bleakly humorous, but poetic.

    The sun burst into a thousand pieces, and each piece was a different colour.

    It is a novel that demands attention and rewards the reader with its depth and beauty.

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