Have you ever read a book where it's so good, you have to close it after every few sentences because you need to soak in its essence and messages? Água Viva was like that. It may be a really short book (with less than a hundred pages) but it wasn't a quick read. I couldn't do it. I had to read a little then sit in wonder and awe.

It is a book where you can't just read quietly, either. You have to read it in your head then read it out loud. To feel the words in your mouth, to slosh it around just so you can really embody her words. And in turn, it's almost like reciting a prayer. Just you, her book, and her words. It's magic. 

Reading Clarice Lispector is just a continuous cycle of murmuring "good God.." and taking note of the quote(s) that leave me breathless. How was she able to articulate such deep, instantaneous thoughts? Olga Borelli was correct when she said this book was "breathing together." 

A book with so many things to say, in essence it was about life and death. It was relentless. No matter how much you want to read on or pause, it goes on and on like thoughts you cannot switch off. I don't think I've ever read a book like this. It was witchy.

I think stumbling upon Lispector as a growing woman is the best thing that could've happened. It is life-altering literature. This is a book I think I should always reread because there's always something important and profound that I need to hear and remember.