Bøger af Machado De Assis

Brás Cubas er lige død, men sætter sig for at fortælle sin historie. Her opfordres læseren til at gå i dialog med forfatteren om selve bogens udformning og forløb, og vi får en vittig, åndfuld og fabulerende fortælling, ganske grænseløs. 300 sider fortalt fra en kiste, i 1881. I korte kapitler følger vi Brás Cubas’ brogede liv i en turbulent tid, hvor samtidens forskruede ideer får stemme gennem måske-filosoffen Quincas Borba, bogens anden hovedperson. Læseren inddrages i politiske magtkampe og sandelig også i et intrikat trekantsdrama – alt sammen fortalt på galgenhumoristisk vis. Romanen udstiller snobberi, forfængelighed og middelmådighed på en tidløs og overraskende måde.

The later novels of Machado de Assis -- notably Dom Casmurro and Esau and Jacob -- are well known in this country, but the earlier novels have never been translated.

The last of four novels that preceded Machado de Assis's famous trilogy of realistic masterpieces, Iaia Garcia belongs to what critics have called the Brazilian author's "romantic" phase.

The rich and eccentric philosopher Quincas Borbas names his dog after himself because he knows his pet will outlive him. Quincas does die first, leaving his fortune to his friend Rube provided that he takes care for the dog. The dim-witted friend is hardly prepared for the life that awaits him.

Translated from the Portuguese by John Gledson 'Dazzling ... guaranteed to leave most unsuspecting readers eager for more' Eileen Battersby, Irish Times

'One of the masterpieces of Brazilian literature The kind of humour that makes skulls smile' Salman Rushdie