Novíssima portuguese literature: narrative and fragmented characters in the novel A tua melanina by Stephanie Vasconcelos

Abstract

The primary aim of this article is to examine hybrid tendencies in contemporary narratives within the context of the novíssima Portuguese literature, focusing on the novel A tua melanina (2024) by Stephanie Vasconcelos. The novel presents a plot of strong emotional and poetic density, characterised by fragmented dialogues, polyphony, intertextuality, metafiction and self-referential strategies, through which fiction and reality intertwine, moving beyond an individual-centred discourse towards a collective dimension. The prose unfolds during the Salazarist dictatorial regime and transcends geographical boundaries by moving between Portugal, Angola and Russia. Set within a family-centred context, the narrative addresses issues related to racism, gender relations and, above all, the construction of identity. The study adopts a bibliographical approach, drawing on theoretical contributions from cultural and postcolonial studies. It is concluded that the fictional construction of the work highlights the complexity of contemporary narratives, which articulate memory, experiences, testimonies and displacement as strategies for critical reflection in an era marked by fragmented narratives and characters.