Historias Sem Data

by Machado de Assis

"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.