Author
Machado de Assis
1839-1908
Machado de Assis (1839-1908) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
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Books by Machado de Assis
Dom Casmurro
"Dom Casmurro" by Machado de Assis is a novel published in 1900. Bento Santiago, a wealthy lawyer in his fifties, attempts to reconnect the two ends of his life by recounting his childhood memories, his time in seminary, and his marriage to Capitu. At the heart of his narrative lies his morbid jealousy and suspicions of adultery. But can readers trust this unreliable narrator's version of events? The novel leaves the central question of Capitu's guilt deliberately ambiguous, inviting multiple interpretations.
Memorias Posthumas de Braz Cubas
"Memorias Posthumas de Braz Cubas" by Machado de Assis is a novel published in 1881. Narrated by a dead man from beyond the grave, this darkly comic autobiography traces the life of Brás Cubas, a privileged Brazilian born into Rio de Janeiro's elite. Through cynical wit and non-linear storytelling, the "defunto-autor" recounts his selfish childhood, failed loves, adulterous affair with Virgília, and futile pursuits of glory. This groundbreaking work launched Brazilian Realism while satirizing slavery, social class, and nineteenth-century society with unprecedented irony and pessimism.
Poesias Completas
"Poesias Completas" by Machado de Assis is a comprehensive collection of poetry written in the late 19th century. This anthology showcases the evolution of Assis's poetic voice, touching upon themes of love, loss, nature, and existential reflection. It combines deeply personal sentiments with broader societal reflections, often employing rich imagery and lyrical grace. The opening of this collection introduces the reader to the author's thoughts on the purpose and context of his poetic works. Assis reflects on the compilation of previously scattered verses, expressing a sense of nostalgia for both the past and the artistic journey that shaped his creations. He offers introspective pieces like "Musa Consolatrix," which contemplates the role of the muses and the comfort they provide in times of sorrow, and "Quinze Annos," which portrays the loss of innocence and hope in youth. Through these early verses, Assis establishes a poignant mood, inviting contemplation of the fleeting nature of beauty and existence.
Quincas Borba
"Quincas Borba" by Machado de Assis is a novel serialized between 1886 and 1891, then published in book form in 1892. The story follows Rubião, a naive provincial man who inherits a fortune from philosopher Quincas Borba and becomes entangled with an ambitious couple in Rio de Janeiro. As Rubião falls hopelessly in love with the manipulative Sofia, he gradually loses both his wealth and his sanity, embodying the harsh principles of "Humanism"—a fictional philosophy where survival means defeating others.
Papeis Avulsos
"Papeis Avulsos" by Machado de Assis is a short story collection published in 1882. This landmark work showcases the Brazilian master's satirical genius through tales that blur the lines between sanity and madness, wisdom and folly. From a tyrannical psychiatrist who questions who is truly insane, to a father teaching his son the art of hollow respectability, these stories dissect society with sharp wit and irony. Machado challenges scientific absolutism, social pretension, and human vanity through inventive narratives that evoke Swift and Erasmo while pioneering distinctly modern literary techniques.
Helena
"Helena" by Machado de Assis is a novel published in 1876. When Counselor Vale dies, his will reveals a shocking secret: he has a daughter named Helena whom his family never knew existed. As Helena enters their home, she wins over her half-brother Estácio and aunt Dona Úrsula with her grace and charm. But as Estácio grows increasingly attached to his new sister, forbidden feelings emerge that threaten to destroy them both—especially when Helena's own mysterious past begins to surface.
Mémoires Posthumes de Braz Cubas
"Mémoires Posthumes de Braz Cubas" by Machado de Assis is a novel published in 1880. A dead man narrates his own life story from beyond the grave, beginning with his funeral and working backward through his privileged existence in nineteenth-century Rio de Janeiro. Through caustic wit and philosophical satire, he recounts romantic failures, adulterous affairs, political ambitions, and his obsessive quest for glory—all told with ironic detachment that breaks from traditional narrative conventions.
Reliquias de Casa Velha
"Reliquias de Casa Velha" by Machado de Assis is a collection published in 1906. This penultimate work gathers sixteen texts across multiple genres: a poem dedicated to his deceased wife, nine stories, a speech, three literary essays, and two plays. The title reflects Machado's conception of these pieces as relics from an old house—memories of happiness lost and sadness passed. The stories explore themes of slavery, passion, death, and human psychology with Machado's characteristic insight, ranging from the disturbing "Pai contra Mãe" to philosophical meditations on mortality.
A Mao e A Luva
"A Mão e A Luva" by Machado de Assis is a novel published in 1874. Guiomar, an intelligent and ambitious young woman, finds herself pursued by three suitors with vastly different characters: the weak and indecisive Estêvão, the frivolous Jorge, and the resolute Luís Alves. Set in the pleasant countryside of Botafogo, this restrained love story eschews typical romantic melodrama for psychological analysis and elegant prose, as Guiomar navigates marriage proposals and her own social ambitions in a match that proves perfectly suited.
Esau e Jacob
"Esau e Jacob" by Machado de Assis is a novel published in 1904. Twin brothers Pedro and Paulo are physically identical but completely opposite in temperament and ideology—one a monarchist studying medicine, the other a republican studying law. Their lifelong rivalry extends from the womb to politics, intensifying when both fall for the same indecisive young woman, Flora. Through this tale of perpetual conflict, Machado crafts a biting political allegory about Brazil's transition to republicanism, exposing how apparent contradictions often mask deeper similarities.
Yayá Garcia
"Yayá Garcia" by Machado de Assis is a novel published in 1878. Set in Rio de Janeiro's Santa Teresa neighborhood, it explores themes of family, love, and marriage through intertwining relationships. When Jorge goes to fight in the Paraguayan War to forget an impossible love for Estela, she marries his friend Luís Garcia out of convenience. Years later, Jorge returns decorated with military glory, bringing him back into the lives of Estela, Luís, and his young daughter Iaiá, now grown, setting the stage for complex romantic entanglements.
Memorial de Ayres
"Memorial de Ayres" by Machado de Assis is a novel written in 1907 and published in 1908. Organized as diary entries from 1888 to 1889, it follows a retired diplomat who returns to Brazil and records his observations and reflections. Like other works by Machado, it weaves together episodes and anecdotes rather than following a single plot. The narrator idolizes a woman named D. Carmo, and the work is considered Machado's most autobiographical novel, possibly reflecting his own life and marriage.
Historias Sem Data
"Historias Sem Data" by Machado de Assis is a collection of short stories published in 1884. The title suggests timeless tales that transcend any specific era, exploring human nature's eternal contradictions. These eighteen stories range from fantastical satire—like the Devil founding his own church—to melancholic portraits of frustrated artists and tragic figures plagued by misfortune. Machado crafts narratives about debtors, betrayal, and life's ironies with his characteristically elegant prose, examining situations that could occur in any period of history.