That is how it appears, reading Elizabeth Nash of the Independent reporting from Madrid.
Portugal's Nobel Literature laureate is 86 years old, and his health is flagging. But he has just announced the completion of his latest work The Elephant's Journey, based on the real-life journey of an Indian elephant named Solomon that travelled from Lisbon to Vienna in the 16th century.
The tale begins with the real event, but reverts to imagination due to the scarcity of historical details of what actually happened. Saramago suffered from serious respiratory illness for several months, and says there were times when he thought he'd never finish the book.
The Elephant's Journey, which took Saramago ten years to write, amid bouts of ill health, is said to be filled with characters, some of them real historical figures, others anonymous fictional creations: "they are people the members of this travelling caravan encounter on their journey, and with whom they share perplexities, efforts and the harmonious joy of a roof over their heads".
Guess, this could be his last book. He is relieved and pleased to have been able to finish the work. "I wrote my last three books in the most deplorable state of health, not at all favourable for happy feelings. I prefer to say: if you have to write, you will write."
And the opening line in the book is: "However incongruous it may seem ..."
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