Bessa-Luís, Agustina (1922–)

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Bessa-Luís, Agustina (1922–)

Portuguese novelist and playwright. Name variations: Agustina Bessa Luis; also seen as Augustina Bessa-Luis. Born María Agustina Bessa Luís, Oct 15, 1922, in Vila Mea, Amarante, Portugal; married; grandmother of Leonor Baldaque (actress).

Known as the grand dame of contemporary Portuguese literature, came to prominence with A Sibila (The Sibyl, 1953); wrote over 30 books, often set in her hometown and often based on historical figures, including Adivinhas de Pedro e Ines (Riddles of Pedro and Ines, 1983), which concerns the romance between Peter I and Inez de Castro; also wrote A Muralha (1957), O Inseparável (1958), As Relaçöes Humanas (1964), A Brusca (1971), O Mosteiro (1980), Sebastiäo José (1982), Os Meninos de Ouro (1983) and Memórias laurentinas (1996), among others. Won Camoes Award (2004).