| Author | Marcelo Rubens Paiva |
|---|---|
| Language | Portuguese |
| Genre | Biography |
| Publisher | Alfaguara |
Publication date | 4 August 2015 (1st edition) |
| Publication place | Brazil |
| Pages | 295 |
Ainda Estou Aqui is a book of memoirs written by Marcelo Rubens Paiva published in 4 August 2015 by Alfaguara, a subsidiary of Companhia das Letras Brazilian publisher. [1] [2] [3] [4]
The autobiographical work deals with the author's delicate relationship with his mother, Eunice, and is marked by the passage of time. [1] At the beginning, we follow Eunice Paiva in her old age and with signs of Alzheimer's disease. [5] [6] Throughout the text, the reader discovers a little about the author's childhood and also about his family. Another subject addressed is his father, federal deputy Rubens Paiva. [7] [8] Not only does he show affection for his family, but he also addresses the political issues surrounding the military dictatorship in Brazil and his death. [9]
The journalist Zeca Camargo in his blog on the G1 portal, gives the book a positive review and warns readers to "stop what you're doing and go read Marcelo's new book". [10] About the book, Camargo writes: "'I'm still here' is the opposite of all that. It's pure intelligence, sensitivity and provocation. It's also a book - a somewhat outmoded artifact, and immensely less popular than Twitter, which with its 140 characters (if there are people who use "all that" to express their unhappiness and project their bile these days). But it's exactly a book like this that makes the difference." [10]
In her column in Veja Rio magazine, version of the magazine that circulates in Rio de Janeiro city and state, Fernanda Torres, called the book a 'Christmas present' and argued that "In times of political blackout, with the country held hostage by the evil forces that run Congress, Ainda Estou Aqui comes to remind us that people like Eunice exist, existed, make and made a difference." [11]
In the year of its release, journalist and sociologist Maria Carolina Maia, writing for the national edition of Veja, classified it as a must-read and added that "Ainda Estou Aqui can be considered an easy read, in the sense of being fluid. But it is at the same time a difficult read to undertake. And necessary. Very necessary. Write it down for your Secret Santa: I'm Still Here is one of the best releases of 2015." [12]
The book has been adapted into a movie. [13] [14] Directed by Walter Salles and starring Fernanda Torres, I'm Still Here was released in Brazil on 7 November 2024. [15]
The film won Best Screenplay at the 81st Venice Film Festival and is nominated for three categories at the 97th Oscars, as well as securing a Golden Globe for Best Actress for Fernanda Torres. [16] [17] [18]