Fernando Pessoa: An almost autobiography

The award-winning biography of the greatest name in Portuguese poetry returns in an edition revised by the author and with a new cover.

Fernando Pessoa: An Almost Autobiography is an award-winning biography and reference work on the life and many personas assumed by the Portuguese poet. Who was Fernando Pessoa the man? How did he live? With whom did he associate? His heteronyms, many of them unknown to the general public, are also revealed in José Paulo Cavalcanti's book in rich detail, illuminating their origins and their respective literary and psychological characterizations.

In composing the most profound portrait of that restless man, José Paulo Cavalcanti spoke with people who knew him, examined the poet's writings, and visited the houses where he lived, his workplaces, the cafés he frequented, etc. He made, on average, five trips a year to Portugal, where he hired the services of researchers, historians, consultants, and a journalist to verify all the information. Parallel to his research, he gathered documents and pieces by Pessoa, acquired from relatives and even from a niece of Ofélia Queirós, the poet's great love. The result is perhaps the largest collection on the poet outside of Portugal.

Fernando Pessoa: An Almost Autobiography is the record of this lifelong encounter, from completely new and personal perspectives. It is also, in a way, the book that Fernando Pessoa wrote throughout his life, without realizing it—and that José Paulo carefully collected over the years.

“The Brazilian revealed that many characters in the verses really existed, they were given names and lives.” - Diários de Notícias [Lisbon]

“An extraordinary book, it reveals even the most incredible details, the entire reality related to Pessoa and his life.” - Africa 21 [Angola]

“The most complete and detailed reconstruction ever made of the author’s life.” - See

“Cavalcanti discovered that he could portray the poet based on his own writings.” - O Estado de São Paulo

"Surprising news about the brilliant Portuguese poet. The world of letters is in turmoil." - El País [Madrid]

“A monumental work. The Brazilian's book reads like a novel.” - Jornal Sol [Lisbon]