You know those books that rip your heart out in the first page and continue stomping on it page after page? This is one of those. It's beautifully written and translated. Your heart truly aches for Raimundo, even when he does terrible things. This book is not heavy on plot, but it is heavy, with graphic scenes of homophobia and family violence. I don't know that I can ever truly say I recommend it, but it is an important, beautiful work of literature.

I listened to this on audio, thanks to an Advance Listening Copy via NetGalley. Thank you @Dreamscape_Media I liked the voice of the audiobook narrator, but I don’t think this is the best way to appreciate this translated fiction (memoir?) I was a bit confused by the stream of interior thoughts that switched from 1st to 3rd person, and back and forth from the present to past. I think the story would be easier to follow in print, but the audiobook is still very enjoyable.

What is clear is that Raimundo (I thought it was Hermundo as I was listening) is haunted by a letter he received from his first love Cicero, whom he has not seen since they were violently kept apart by their fathers. As an old man, Raimundo has finally learned to read and can finally read the letter.

This novel is told mostly in flashbacks of Raimundo’s coming of age and learning to accept himself as a gay man in a society that does not accept him. This is a short and captivating story, and I felt an emotional connection to the main character and his struggles. The Words That Remain won the National Book Award for translated fiction in 2023.

The Words that Remain was a great short novel about a man looking back on his life and his unrequited love for a childhood friend. I appreciated the honesty about his culture's homophobia and some internalized homophobia. I liked the non-linear timeline as the story was more revealed as it went along.

thanks to netgalley & dreamscape audio for an advanced listener copy in exchange for an honest review. this audiobook was published on january 30th, 2024 so is available as of posting this.

rating: 3.5/5 stars.

my partner is brazilian and i've been interested in reading more translated works from brazilian authors so was thrilled to see this on netgalley. the audiobook specifically is wonderfully narrated by André Santana. i am really thankful that the narration was performed by a brazilian queer & nonbinary performer and Santana has certainly become one to watch for in the future. The Words That Remain has a very diaphanous narrative style, slipping between time and perspective, that is challenging for an audiobook especially. Santana's narration is full, earnest and grounding in this literary style and it was very helpful.

initially the reviews mentioning homophobia and transphobia gave me pause, but the book is short and i was interested enough. however! if graphic descriptions of homophobia and transphobia are a concern for you and would be significantly disruptive to a positive reading experience, i don't recommend this book. some additional details here. descriptions of: generalized homophobia necessitating people to be secretive; main character getting beaten by his parent over multiple days; off page character described as being killed for being gay; another character being beaten by parent; significant verbal conflict with a parent; verbal harassment; main character assaults a transwoman; etc. there's probably some things i'm missing. tl;dr is that it's intense and a theme throughout.

The Words That Remain is about Raimundo who once had a relationship with Cicero, a childhood friend and eventual lover. They would find moments to be together in their impoverished rural area of Brazil, but their relationship was hidden. When they were discovered both Cicero and Raimundo were violently assault by their fathers, though we primarily know what happened to Raimundo. Cicero sent Raimundo a letter and that was the last of their relationship. It's since been many years and Raimundo has carried this letter throughout his life and unfortunately never been able to read it since he cannot read. But at seventy-one, he begins to learn.

The story is told in heartfelt and pained reflections as Raimundo thinks of his past, the times with Cicero and after he moved to the city. I think the best parts of this book are when the memories of violence endured & inflicted take a step back and the narrative focuses on how Raimundo understands his history and yearns to understand the "what ifs" especially embodied by the unread letter from Cicero. In a lot of ways it's a sad and painful story, but there's also this element of gaining an authoritative voice.

If the content warning doesn't put you off, I would recommend this to readers who like a story that is slightly stream of consciousness with a focus on the past, that slips from different points of time. I think readers who like a quietly passionate, yearning and deeply flawed narrator will enjoy Raimundo.

Haunting and heartbreaking.

This tragic story about self discovery and acceptance was masterfully woven and told. I greatly enjoyed this audiobook and the narrator. There were a few times where the timeline of the narrative switched without warning causing me to be lost for a bit until I could figure out when we were in the story.

The connection between accepting who you are and being able to express yourself in words was powerful. Raimundo’s story arc from illiterate son unable to accept his sexuality to successful man who makes his own way was both tearful and encouraging. The path wasn’t easy or painless, but he managed to persevere.

Format: audiobook ~ Narrator: André Santana
Content: 5 stars ~ Narration: 5 stars

Winner of the 2023 National Book Award for Translated Literature

Raimundo, at the age of seventy-one, finally decides it’s time to learn to read and write. He is encouraged to do so mainly by a letter received over fifty years ago by his youthful love, Cicero. At a young age, he wanted to continue his education. But his father thought it better for him to help the family by working. The story consists of current life and memories from the past. Raimundo recalls his forbidden love and his father’s beatings. Now he’s living with Suzzanny, a dear friend who went through a lot like he did.

The Words That Remain is a very moving novel that deals with the violence and homophobia in the rural part of Brazil. It is a very well-written novel, lyrical, with beautiful language. It is also a very emotional read. The narrator did an excellent job bringing this story and feelings of Raimundo to life.

Thanks to Dreamscape Media for the advance copy and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.

This book was beautifully written, but the progression and structure didn't work for me. Although the book was enjoyable, the plot & timeline were often confusing, making it difficult to stay engaged.

The narration itself was great and I would recommend this based on the narration alone.