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The Crime of Father Amaro (Dedalus European Classics) (Paperback)

by Eca de Queiros (Author), Eca de Queirez (Author), Margaret Jull Costa (Translator)
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
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Product details

  • Paperback: 421 pages
  • Publisher: Dedalus Ltd (19 Mar 2002)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 1873982895
  • ISBN-13: 978-1873982891
  • Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 12.6 x 3.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 44,467 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Review

Amaro Vieira, son of servants and orphaned at six, is brought up by his parents' employer, the Marquesa de Alegros. He is well treated and happy, but the Marquesa has decided that Amaro will enter the priesthood, the solution for many of Portugal's orphans. It is a profession for which he has no real enthusiasm but he sees no choice but to accept it. In the seminary he proves a competent pupil but feels agonized that life is passing him by. Even so, once a priest, all goes well until he is appointed to the country town of Lieria. Here he encounters provincial hypocrisy and deceit at its most extreme, and his relationships with his canon, the venal Dias, and the beautiful, young and willing Amelia ensure the collapse of his fragile moral fibre and expose in him a inner frailty that leads to tragedy. Written between 1875 and 1879 and revised several times, this is the work of one of Portugal's most respected 19th-century writers. Considered scandalous at the time, it portrays the clergy as manipulative and self-seeking and the secular world as no better. Lieria is full of people prepared to give advice that they have no intention of taking themselves and the priests are quite happy to use the populace's fear of eternal damnation to open a few doors or grease a few palms. The novel retains its power to disturb in the way in which the writer conveys each character's self-justification. Modern in its simplicity, it shows the way that homogeneity of purpose is achieved through self-deceit or the blaming of others, This process is depicted without overt judgement or moralising, making it finally a depressing norm in Queiroz's world. Written with restraint yet often deeply lyrical, this is a welcome addition to the range of classic novels available in English translation. (Kirkus UK)
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A truly great novel, 23 Jul 2003
By A Customer
This review is from: The Crime of Father Amaro (Paperback)
One of the best novels by (arguably) the best novelist Portugal have ever had, "The crime of Father Amaro" deals with the power of the church in a small provincial town in 1860's Portugal. Here we can see how powerful the representatives of church are, but we also look at their hypocrite lifestyle.

In the center of the book is Amaro, a young priest, ordained without ever being consulted and the love affair he has with Amelia, the daugther of his hostess.

Made recently into a film in Mexico, the novel has the power and strenght laking in the fim. It is a pity that the only reason this is not hailed as universal classic is the language it was written.

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Cynical, biting, ruthless and the best novel I've read in 10 years, 14 Dec 2007
By C. Foster (North West UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: The Crime of Father Amaro (Paperback)
Firstly, ignore the "official" Amazon review under the synopsis - this is intended for the film based on the book.

The book is firmly set in Portugal, although ranges as far away as Paris in its search for reasons to heap opprobrium on the Catholic Church.

Whether this was intended as an indictment of Portuguese culture, the Catholic Church, or both is not clear. Either way, the book tells the enthralling tale of a young man whose ambition is to be a priest.

Not, you understand, because he is Holy. Because it brought "fringe benefits" as they might say. Celibacy is not the counter to these benefits that you might expect and thereby revolves one of Father Amaro's most telling (but not only) sins.

Consequences follow actions and hence the novel unfolds.

I can only imagine the reaction to this novel when it was first published, but even today it is breathtakingly cynical. I loved every word and heartily recommend it to anyone who is Catholic and also anybody who isn't.
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4.0 out of 5 stars What a great surprise!, 17 April 2009
In 1870's Portugal an uncommitted young priest cannot resist the allure of attractive Amelia a young village girl with a resulting pregnancy and the tragic death of two 'innocents'. At first glance such a resume would appear as dull as ditch-water but that couldn't be further from the truth!

This is a scathing attack on the hypocrisy of both the Catholic church and small town provincial life. It is also quite an adult read although this is handled superbly by one of the best translations of a novel that I have ever read. The evocation of daily life is beautifully handled full of gossip,playing polkas on the piano and the delights of evening bingo. (The concerted attempt at the European chain-smoking championships is all-pervasive!)

The core of the book centres on the dilemma between the chastity and vows of established religion and the battles of temptation of the flesh. This is illustrated in a very frank manner for 1880 and it is truly astonishing that this book was published at that time.

This is not a quaint Father Brown view of the world as Amaro is an unappealing chap; at times silver-tongued deceitful,arrogant and ultimately capable of a dreadfully selfish act.

This Dedalus edition is also top quality. The cover,paper,typeface and, above all, translation are all first class.
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