The History of the Siege of Lisbon

In José Saramago's thought-provoking novel, The History of the Siege of Lisbon, proofreader Raimundo Silva discovers the transformative power of words when he alters a key term in a historical account, ultimately reshaping both a significant event in Portuguese history and his own life. This captivating story intertwines the reimagined history of the 1147 siege with Raimundo's personal journey, including a romantic connection with his editor, Maria Sara. Brilliantly translated by Giovanni Pontiero, the novel explores themes of historiography and the intricate relationship between history and fiction.