Family Ties

This collection features thirteen stories by Clarice Lispector, exploring crisis and self-discovery in the context of human relationships and emotions.

In Family Ties, readers are invited into the intricate world of Clarice Lispector, a Brazilian writer celebrated for her profound storytelling. This collection features thirteen of her most brilliantly conceived short stories, each exploring moments of crisis that lead characters toward self-discovery and a deeper understanding of the human experience. The narratives delve into the complexities of familial relationships, personal struggles, and the often-unseen emotional landscapes that shape our lives.

The stories touch on various themes, such as the silent rage of a matriarch being celebrated on her eighty-ninth birthday, the tangled emotions of a sophisticated young woman towards her elderly mother, and an adolescent girl’s obsessive fear of being observed. Each character grapples with their own unique challenges, revealing the intricate interplay between their inner thoughts and the external world. Lispector's ability to capture the essence of human emotion and the absurdity of life is a hallmark of her writing.

Giovanni Pontiero's translation has received acclaim for its fidelity to Lispector’s voice, with Gregory Rabassa praising it as 'magnificent.' Through Family Ties, readers will find themselves reflecting on their own experiences and the universal truths that bind us all, making this collection a poignant exploration of life's complexities.