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Cover of The Hour of the Star
Literary Fiction· Brazil

The Hour of the Star

by Clarice Lispector
Aggregate Editorial Score30/100
Published 1977Portuguese
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About This Book

When Clarice Lispector published The Hour of the Star in 1977, it quickly found its place in the broader tradition of literary fiction. Clarice Lispector's 'The Hour of the Star' is a poignant novella that tells the story of Macabéa, a poor and unremarkable typist living in Rio de Janeiro. Through a meta-narrative style, Lispector explores themes of poverty, identity, and existentialism. The book is celebrated for its introspective depth and innovative narrative techniques, cementing Lispector's status as one of Brazil's most important literary figures. Themes of poverty, identity, existentialism run through the work.

Book Details

AuthorClarice Lispector
Published1977
Country of Origin🇧🇷 Brazil
LanguagePortuguese
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN978-0811219495
Editorial Score30/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇧🇷 Brazil

This book is part of Brazil's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Brazil →

Editorial Assessment

The Hour of the Star by Clarice Lispector sits within the tradition of literary fiction that treats language as seriously as plot. Published in 1977 in Brazil, it engages with poverty, identity, existentialism, loneliness in ways that have earned it lasting critical attention. Critics and institutions have consistently placed The Hour of the Star among the notable works of its period. Our aggregate score of 30/100 is compiled from 1 editorial sources that range from Nobel and Booker committees to leading literary journals. The appeal of The Hour of the Star lies partly in its refusal to offer easy answers. Its exploration of poverty, identity, existentialism, loneliness is sustained, textured, and genuinely thought-provoking in ways that stay with readers well after the final page. Clarice Lispector's role in the literature of Brazil is well established. The Hour of the Star can be read as both a standalone achievement and as part of a broader national literary conversation about identity, history, and the possibilities of narrative form.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

TIME 100 Best Novels
list · global
20050
✍️
About the Author
Clarice Lispector
Brazil
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Clarice Lispector is a Brazil author whose work in literary fiction has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Hour of the Star about?

Clarice Lispector's 'The Hour of the Star' is a poignant novella that tells the story of Macabéa, a poor and unremarkable typist living in Rio de Janeiro. Through a meta-narrative style, Lispector explores themes of poverty, identity, and existentialism. The book is celebrated for its introspective depth and innovative narrative techniques, cementing Lispector's status as one of Brazil's most important literary figures.

Who wrote The Hour of the Star?

The Hour of the Star was written by Clarice Lispector, from Brazil. First published in 1977.

What awards has The Hour of the Star won?

The Hour of the Star has received the following recognition: notable critical recognition.

Is The Hour of the Star worth reading?

The Hour of the Star is a well-regarded book with an aggregate editorial score of 30/100 on 50 Best Books. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in poverty, identity, existentialism.

Where can I buy The Hour of the Star?

You can buy The Hour of the Star on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is The Hour of the Star?

The Hour of the Star is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is The Hour of the Star from?

The Hour of the Star originates from Brazil's literary tradition. Explore more books from Brazil on our country page.

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