The History of the Siege of Lisbon

Summary

Raimundo Silva, a proofreader at a publishing house, accidentally alters the text of a historical book about the Siege of Lisbon by inserting the word «not» into a sentence, which completely reverses its meaning. This act leads him to ponder an alternative history where the Crusaders did not assist the Portuguese in the siege of the city. Soon, he begins to write his own version of events, exploring themes of power, truth, and human nature. As he works on the book, he also develops a relationship with Maria Sara, his new boss, adding a personal dimension to his reflections on the past and present. The book delves into the boundaries between history and fiction, as well as the role interpretation and subjectivity play in understanding the past.