A Cidade e as Serras

by Eça de Queirós

"A Cidade e as Serras" by Eça de Queirós is a novel published in 1901. It follows Jacinto de Tormes, a wealthy devotee of urban progress and civilization, who leaves his comfortable life in Paris for the rural mountains of Portugal. Stripped of modern conveniences through mishap, he discovers unexpected fulfillment in the countryside's simplicity. The novel contrasts city sophistication with rural authenticity, ultimately exploring how Portugal's elite might balance technological progress with genuine connection to their land and culture.