Antonio Lobo Antunes' Novel Explores Lisbon Family Dysfunction

Antonio Lobo Antunes' new novel "Que ferais-je quand tout brûle ?" published by Éditions Christian Bourgois, delves into the fractured genealogy of a Lisbon family. The narrative, told through multiple interior voices, centers on narrator Paulo and his parents Judite and Carlos. Carlos, a cross-dresser named Soraïa, is in love with Rui, a male prostitute from Principe Real. Paulo, a drug addict, is haunted by substitute parents Madame Héléna and Monsieur Couceiro. The novel mixes voices like a multi-track circuit, exploring themes of identity and memory. Raya Baudinet reviewed the work in artpress.