Bolsonaro's Unlikely Literary Pursuit: A Novel Way to Shorten 27-Year Sentence
In a bizarre turn of events, former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has found an unconventional way to reduce his 27-year prison sentence. His lawyers have successfully petitioned the court to enroll him in a reading program, which awards inmates four days of reduced sentence for every book they read.
Bolsonaro's uncharacteristic affinity for literature is a far cry from his public image as a self-proclaimed anti-reader. "Sorry, I don't have time to read," he once declared. However, it appears that this stance has been replaced with a newfound passion for reading, courtesy of Brazil's penal code.
The reading program, which was authorized by a supreme court judge, requires inmates to submit written reports detailing their reading progress. The approved list includes a diverse range of Brazilian works on Indigenous rights, racism, the environment, and the country's tumultuous dictatorship history.
Bolsonaro's reading selection is unlikely to align with his past views, as many of the titles feature topics he once publicly disparaged. Ana Maria Gonçalves' 950-page Um Defeito de Cor (A Colour Defect), a book exploring Brazil's Indigenous history from a Black woman's perspective, is just one example.
The reading list also includes children's non-fiction picture books and classic novels like Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace and Miguel de Cervantes' Don Quixote. While it remains unclear if Bolsonaro has actually read these works, his lawyers are hopeful that the program will help him reduce his sentence.
In a recent interview during his 2018 presidential campaign, Bolsonaro named Carlos Alberto Brilhante Ustra's book as his favorite – despite Ustra being a notorious figure with ties to Brazil's dictatorship. The fact that this book does not feature on the approved reading list has raised eyebrows among observers.
Regardless of Bolsonaro's intentions, it appears that he is now embracing the reading program. His transfer to a maximum-security prison in Brasília after spending Christmas behind bars further reinforces his commitment to this unusual endeavor. As the former president navigates his literary journey, one thing is clear: even the most unlikely figures can find new passions in life.
In a bizarre turn of events, former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has found an unconventional way to reduce his 27-year prison sentence. His lawyers have successfully petitioned the court to enroll him in a reading program, which awards inmates four days of reduced sentence for every book they read.
Bolsonaro's uncharacteristic affinity for literature is a far cry from his public image as a self-proclaimed anti-reader. "Sorry, I don't have time to read," he once declared. However, it appears that this stance has been replaced with a newfound passion for reading, courtesy of Brazil's penal code.
The reading program, which was authorized by a supreme court judge, requires inmates to submit written reports detailing their reading progress. The approved list includes a diverse range of Brazilian works on Indigenous rights, racism, the environment, and the country's tumultuous dictatorship history.
Bolsonaro's reading selection is unlikely to align with his past views, as many of the titles feature topics he once publicly disparaged. Ana Maria Gonçalves' 950-page Um Defeito de Cor (A Colour Defect), a book exploring Brazil's Indigenous history from a Black woman's perspective, is just one example.
The reading list also includes children's non-fiction picture books and classic novels like Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace and Miguel de Cervantes' Don Quixote. While it remains unclear if Bolsonaro has actually read these works, his lawyers are hopeful that the program will help him reduce his sentence.
In a recent interview during his 2018 presidential campaign, Bolsonaro named Carlos Alberto Brilhante Ustra's book as his favorite – despite Ustra being a notorious figure with ties to Brazil's dictatorship. The fact that this book does not feature on the approved reading list has raised eyebrows among observers.
Regardless of Bolsonaro's intentions, it appears that he is now embracing the reading program. His transfer to a maximum-security prison in Brasília after spending Christmas behind bars further reinforces his commitment to this unusual endeavor. As the former president navigates his literary journey, one thing is clear: even the most unlikely figures can find new passions in life.
i mean, it's like he's trying to make up for all the times he spoke out against indigenous rights and racism... but at the same time, four days of reduced sentence for every book is still kinda a cop-out? 
it's a total game-changer
especially after all the drama he caused during his presidency 
. it's kinda cool that he's trying to reduce his sentence by getting lost in some pages, tbh 
. but seriously, reading programs in prison are like, super helpful and stuff 
. it can really help people grow and learn new things 
. i'm not saying bolsonaro is suddenly going to become a bookworm or anything 
, but hey, maybe this is his chance to redeem himself a bit 
he used to be all about not reading lol 
but what really has me thinking is why did he name that book by Carlos Alberto Brilhante Ustra as his fave? like that dude was super connected to the dictatorship 
and now hes reading books on Indigenous rights and racism 
But hey, at least he's trying to make the most of his sentence, right? Maybe we'll see him become the next Brazilian literary sensation 
.
. Who knew Bolsonaro had a soft spot for reading? I mean, it's not like he's gonna change his views on politics or anything 
like who knew he had a soft spot for books on Indigenous rights & dictatorship history 
Not sure if he's actually devoured the books on his list or just pretending to be interested, but hey, if it works for him 
.
. 27 years is a looong time to be locked up, and if reading can help him reduce his sentence, then more power to him! 
it's actually kinda cool that he's diving into topics like Indigenous rights and racism - it's not exactly the most popular subject matter for him in the past. 
.
I mean, who wouldn't want to read a 950-page book about Brazil's Indigenous history from a Black woman's perspective? 
It just goes to show that you're never too old (or former president) to discover new interests and broaden your horizons. Plus, Bolsonaro's lawyers are trying to get him to read some pretty heavy stuff – if he can handle it, that is!