Clarice Lispector Books In Order

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Story Collections

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

About Clarice Lispector

A Brazilian author born in Ukraine, Clarice Lispector would prove to be a hugely important author during her lifetime, as her work continues to be reappraised by each new generation of writer. Breaking boundaries with her writing, she would create stories that stood out, taking the seemingly mundane and elevating them to another level. Everything would shift in the wake of her literary career, as scores of novelists continue to follow in her footsteps today. And it would be her deceptively simple stories that would prove to be so popular, as more and more discover her work every day.

Underlying her writing and narratives would be themes of introspection, taking an intimate approach to her art form. Taking the time to tell a story, she shone a light on the psychology underpinning each of her characters. Internally her protagonists would come to life on the page, finding a fully fleshed-out personality for each of them that struck a chord. Finding her voice, each story would be unmistakeably hers and hers alone, leaving her idiosyncratic stamp upon the literary conventions now commonplace today.

Ushering in a new style with her writing, she’d set herself apart from other authors within her field, letting her work speak for itself. Leaving a lasting impact and legacy, each of her characters spoke in their distinctive way, as she continues to appeal to readers around the world. As her audience grows, more of her writing is translated internationally, while remaining true to her original intentions. Notably, it’s also how she writes which has also captured the attention of many, weaving and intertwining her words across the page. Differentiating her many narrative styles accordingly, she was a rich and versatile author whose legacy will carry on growing into the future.

Early and Personal Life

The first year of Clarice Lispector’s life would be spent in Chechelnyk, Podolia, where she was born on the 10th of December, 1920. After her birth, her Jewish family would flee to Romania to escape the pogroms during the Russian Civil War, before emigrating to Brazil by way of Hamburg. Leaving their lives behind, Clarice’s older sister Elisa Lispector, also a novelist, would tell of the experience in her 1948 autobiographical novel ‘In Exile.’

Emigrating to Brazil in early 1922, Chaya would have her name changed to Clarice, along with the rest of the family who would also change theirs. Noted for her gift for writing early on, Clarice would attend the Colégio Hebreo-Idisch-Brasileiro, before attending the Ginásio Pernambucano in Recife. Then, following this, she would enter the prestigious Law School of the University of Brazil, before embarking on a literary career, passing away in 1977 on the 9th of December, leaving behind a powerful body of work.

Writing Career

Everything would begin with her debut novel ‘Near to the Wild Heart,’ which would arrive in 1943, becoming a huge sensation upon its release. Dealing with the inner world of its protagonist Joana, the novel shifted the field of Portuguese language literature for generations to come. Submerging her readers in her rich and innovative stream-of-consciousness, she would move to Naples during the war, while her husband Maury fought for the Brazilian army on the Allied side during World War Two.

Over the years she would continue to write extensively, bringing out short stories and further novels reflecting her own life and feelings. Underpinning her writing with layers of meaning, she’d receive awards, including posthumous prizes for translations of her works as well. Leaving a lasting and important impact on literature, numerous other writers have sung her praises, as she’d also write under the pen-names of Helen Palmer and Teresa Quadros.

Near to the Wild Heart

Letting the world know who she was back in 1943, this debut novel would first arrive to critical acclaim in December 1943. It was published by ‘A Noite Editora’ and later translated by Giovanni Pontiero and then Alison Entrekin into English from Portuguese. Vast in the magnitude of its importance to Brazilian literature at the time, many continue to cite this stand-alone title as an influence today.

Interested in the internal life of its protagonist, this book takes a look at the life of Joana, as she leads the way through the story’s unconventional narrative. Navigating the world from a somewhat amoral perspective, she greets many events in her life with indifference, making her own way. Growing up, Joana faces the world in her distinctive manner, discovering herself in this stream-of-consciousness novel. Facing obstacles such as childhood and later marriage, there’s an existentialist element to it, as it moves between both the past and the present.

Original and creative in its outlook and style, it’s no wonder this innovative book is highly acclaimed by so many. Reading in a manner that flows effortlessly across the page, the rhythm, and style of the book capture both the internal and external so well. Everything comes together in a satisfying conclusion too, providing a complete picture of its protagonist’s inner world and mindset.

The Hour of the Star

Vast in both its reach and ambition, this is another intimate novel from Clarice Lispector, and the last she’d release during her lifetime. Echoing her earlier work in terms of approach, it would show a clear sense of development, initially arriving in 1977, and later translated by Giovanni Pontiero and Benjamin Moser. Released through the ‘José Olympio Editora’ imprint originally, it would go on to be published in English in 1992, and later in 2011 as well.

Moving between different notions of identity, the narrator Rodrigo S.M. Talks about writing a story, before telling his own. Opening with the narrator, it then moves on to his story featuring Macabéa, a nineteen-year-old living in Rio de Janeiro impoverished. Really focusing on her as a character, the story sees Macabéa dealing with her life as it comes, and facing up to who she is. Every element of the novel draws together, breaking down people’s perception of themselves between the author narrating his story, and Macabéa herself.