The Lives of Things

The Lives of Things is a collection of six short stories from Nobel Prize-winning author Jose Saramago, originally published in Portuguese in 1978 and translated to English in 2012. Each story centers around an inanimate object that becomes the catalyst for significant events or societal changes. Through tales of chairs, buildings, and cemeteries, Saramago creates narratives that blend historical events with elements of absurdism and dark humor. The stories feature unnamed characters and settings, lending them a universal quality while maintaining connections to real political and social contexts. Several pieces in the collection draw parallels to actual historical events and figures, particularly from Portuguese history. The tales range from intimate domestic scenarios to large-scale societal transformations, all triggered by seemingly mundane objects or structures. The collection explores themes of power, mortality, and the relationship between humans and their material world. These stories serve as allegories that question established social orders and examine how everyday objects can shape human consciousness and behavior.

Readers found these short stories darker and more political than Saramago's novels. Many noted the stories feel like allegories or fables, with themes of power, bureaucracy, and social inequality. Readers appreciated: - The chair factory story as a standout piece - Clear connection to Saramago's later works - Sharp social commentary through mundane objects - Experimental writing style that gives objects personalities Common criticisms: - Stories can feel incomplete or abrupt - Abstract style makes some pieces hard to follow - Translation loses some of the original Portuguese wordplay - Too short at only 6 stories Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (30+ ratings) "The stories read like practice runs for his novels," noted one Goodreads reviewer. Another commented: "Not his best work, but shows early glimpses of his style developing." Several readers suggested starting with Saramago's novels before approaching these stories.

Labyrinths by Jorge Luis Borges Objects and concepts transform into metaphysical gateways that challenge reality, mirroring Saramago's exploration of how physical items spark societal change.

The Street of Crocodiles by Bruno Schulz The narrative transforms ordinary shops and objects into portals for examining human nature and social structures through a lens of magical realism.

Things: A Story of the Sixties by Georges Perec This tale chronicles how material possessions shape human relationships and social status, connecting to Saramago's focus on object-human dynamics.

Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman Each story presents a different version of the afterlife through concrete objects and scenarios, echoing Saramago's use of physical items to explore existential themes.

Einstein's Dreams by Alan Lightman The collection presents variations on time through specific objects and scenarios, reflecting Saramago's technique of using concrete items to examine abstract concepts.

🔖 Saramago initially worked as a car mechanic before becoming a writer, which may have influenced his intimate understanding of objects and their significance in human life. 🏆 The original Portuguese title "Objecto Quasi" translates to "Almost Objects," reflecting the liminal space these items occupy between the physical and metaphysical realms. 📚 This collection was published in 1978, during Portugal's transition from dictatorship to democracy, informing many of the political themes present in the stories. ✍️ The author's signature style of minimal punctuation and long, flowing sentences is believed to be influenced by his grandmother's oral storytelling traditions. 🎭 The story "The Chair" in this collection was later adapted into a theatrical performance in Lisbon, transforming Saramago's meditation on power into a visual spectacle.