Did She Cheat Or Not?
Did she cheat or not?
"Capitu, in spite of those eyes the devil gave her … Have you noticed her eyes? They’re a bit like a gypsy’s, oblique and sly."
About the Book
Title: Dom Casmurro Author: Machado de Assis Published: 1900 Original Title: Dom Casmurro
Summary
Dom Casmurro follows the story of Bentinho, a man who reflects on his past, particularly his relationship with Capitu. He raises questions about whether his suspicions regarding Capitu's fidelity are true or merely the result of paranoia. Additionally, they have a son who Bentinho believes does not resemble him at all.
Bentinho is an unreliable narrator, as he is the sole person telling the story, and the author makes us question whether he is telling the truth or not.
Key Themes
Jeaslisy
Memory vs. Perception
Love and Trust
Unreliable Narrator
More Posts from Carnivalofstories and Others
America
"Who has taught you, white warrior, my brothers' tongue? From where have you come to these woods, which have never seen another warrior like you?"
About the Book
Title: Iracema Author: José de Alencar Published: 1865 Original Title: Iracema
Summary
The story follows the romance between Iracema, an indigenous woman, and Martim, a Portuguese colonizer. Iracema's name is an anagram of America. There is a lot of critique of colonialism in this story, as Martim represents the colonizers (the Portuguese).
Key Themes
Colonialism
Heritage
Cultural clash
National Identity
A true story
"It is truly regrettable that in these times we do not have a Maudsley, who knew the difference between good sense and insanity, to prevent nations from committing acts of madness and crimes against humanity."
About the Book
Title: Backlands: The Canudos Campaign or Rebellion in the Backlands Author: Euclides da Cunha Published: 1902 Original Title: Os Sertões
Summary
This book is a retelling of the War of Canudos (1896–1897), which took place in the state of Bahia. The writer, Euclides da Cunha, was a correspondent for the Brazilian newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo. It is considered the first livro-reportagem (reportage book) in Brazil. Mixing science and literature, the story narrates the war between the republican army and the sertanejos.
Key Themes
True story
Resistence
War
Brazilian backlands
This book was burned during the military dictatorship
"In the mysterious night of the macumbas the drums resound like trumpets of war."
About the Book
Title: Captains of the Sand Author: Jorge Amado Published: 1937 Original Title: Capitães da Areia
Summary
Captains of the Sand is set in the city of Salvador and follows the story of a group of orphaned boys living on the streets. They survive through petty theft and share a deep sense of brotherhood. Their leader is Pedro Bala, a boy who is protective of his gang.
The book was banned during the Brazilian military dictatorship for its portrayal of poverty and its perceived communist ideas. It was even burned in a public square in November of 1937, alongside other books (mostly from Jorge Amado).
P.S. There are many things you will not agree with in the book, and it contains an explicit rape scene.
Key Themes
Poverty
Injustice
Social Exclusion
Survival
The saddest book
"The dog wanted to sleep. She would wake up happy, in a world full of cavies, and would lick the hands of Fabiano—a Fabiano grown to enormous proportions. The boys would roll on the ground with her in an enormous yard, would wallow with her in an enormous goat pen. The world would be full of cavies, fat and huge."
About the Book
Title: Barren Lives Author: Graciliano Ramos Published: 1938 Original Title: Vidas Secas
Summary
Everything about this book is pure sadness. I’ll just tell you now: it doesn’t have a happy ending. The story follows a family living in Brazil’s Northeast, struggling to survive due to the relentless drought. There are many characters (some of whom aren’t even named), but the most iconic is the dog Baleia (Whale in Portuguese), who is nothing but skin and bones.
P.S. The dog chapter is absolutely heartbreaking.
Key Themes
Poverty
Drought
Survival
Northeast Region
Cicle
What is sanity?
“Were they all really insane? Did I really cure them? Or is not mental imbalance so natural and inherent that it was bound to assert itself with or without my help?”
About the Book
Title: The Alienist Author: Machado de Assis Published: 1882 Original Title: O Alienista
Summary
Dr. Simão Bacamarte is a brilliant but obsessive physician that made his life mission the study of mental illnesses in the small town of Itaguaí. Convinced he know how to determine who is sane and who is insane, the doctor begins commiting patients based on a rigid and weird criteria. Too emotional? Locked up. Too rational? also locked up.
This book is a mix of satire, irony, and existential dread. Who gets to decide what is insane? What is sanity? Machado de Assis challenges the reader to question everything about reason, while also critiquing the medicalization of traits that, in his time, were considered mental illness (like hysteria).
Key Themes
Science vs Humanity
Satire
Power
Madness vs Reason
Hour of the Star
"This story takes place during a state of emergency and a public calamity. It's an unfinished book because it’s still waiting for an answer. An answer I hope someone in the world can give me. You? It’s a story in Technicolor to add a little luxury which, by God, I need too. Amen for all of us."
About the Book
Title: Hour of the Star Author: Clarice Lispector Published: 1977 Original Title: A Hora da Estrela
Summary
Macabéa is a typist living in the slums of Rio de Janeiro. She is ugly and unloved. She loves movies and her horrible boyfriend. Her story is told by Rodrigo S.M., a narrator who spirals into philosophical musings about fate, poverty, and the meaning (or meaninglessness) of life as he unravels Macabéa’s existence.
This book will disturb you. It might make you feel horrible. And yet, you won’t be able to look away.
P.S.: The cockroach scene. You will never forget it. No matter how much you try.
Key Themes
social commentary
disturbing
identity
poverty
Is he a dead writer or a writer who is dead?
"To the worm who first gnawed on the cold flesh of my corpse, I dedicate with fond remembrance these Posthumous Memoirs."
About the Book
Title: The Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas Author: Machado de Assis Published: 1881 Original Title: Memórias Póstumas de Brás Cubas
Summary
The Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas is a satirical novel, in which the narrator, Brás Cubas, tells his life story from beyond the grave. From this unusual point of view, Brás Cubas criticizes the 19th-century Brazilian society.
Brás Cubas narrates with an ironic and humorous tone, mocking the world and himself. He even begins his memoirs not with his birth, but with his own death. This weird man spends his life in failed romances, half-hearted political ambitions, and existential boredom, only to realize (too late) that he achieved absolutely nothing.
P.S. There is a chapter with only exclamation points.
Key Themes
mortality and death
irony and satire
social commentary
existentialism
Two Husbands, One Ghost
"BRIEF REPORT (APPARENTLY UNCALLED FOR) OF THE CONTROVERSY THAT SPRANG UP CONCERNING THE AUTHORSHIP OF THE ANONYMOUS POEM THAT CIRCULATED FROM TAVERN TO TAVERN, IN WHICH THE POET LAMENTED THE DEATH OF V ADINHO, WITH THE TRUE IDENTITY OF THE UNKNOWN BARD, FINALLY REVEALED ON THE BASIS OF CONCRETE PROOFS"
About the Book
Title: Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands Author: Jorge Amado Published: 1966 Original Title: Dona Flor e Seus Dois Maridos
Summary
Dona Flor becomes a widow after the death of her reckless and charming husband, Vadinho. Later, she remarries Dr. Teodoro, a respectable and stable man. However, things take an unexpected turn when Vadinho returns as a ghost, forcing her to navigate between her two very different husbands. The novel is a satirical and playful exploration of passion, reason, and desire.
P.S. There’s a famous movie adaptation from 1976, and it was also adapted into a novela!
Key Themes
Desire
Morality vs. Passion
Supernatural elements
Female Independence
The Art of Getting Away with Everything
"The boy, while he was new in his godfather’s house, comported himself with the utmost circumspection and gravity. As soon as he started feeling at home, however, the gloves came back off."
About the Book
Title: Memoirs of a Militia Sergeant Author: Manuel Antônio De Almeida Published: 1852 Original Title: Memórias de um Sargento de Milícias
Summary
This is the only book written by Manuel Antônio de Almeida.
The novel tells the story of a troublesome child named Leonardo, who grows into a reckless young man and a trickster, constantly finding himself in trouble. It’s a very funny story, full of twists as Leonardo tries to dodge his responsibilities. Nothing in Memoirs of a Militia Sergeant is idealized or tragic. Seriously, the ending is amazing.
Key Themes
Comedy
Antihero
Social mobility
Love
The Don Quixote of Brazilian Nationalism
"And she thought how diverse and varied life is, how it is richer in sadness than in happiness and how in the variety of life there are more varieties of sadness than there are of happiness and how sadness lies at the core of life."
About the Book
Title: The Sad End of Policarpo Quaresma Author: Lima Barreto Published: 1915 Original Title: Triste Fim de Policarpo Quaresma
Summary
Policarpo Quaresma is a civil servant and a devoted patriot. An extremely idealistic man, he seeks to promote Brazilian culture in every way possible—advocating for Tupi as the national language and even attempting agricultural reforms (you know this is going to go wrong).
Quaresma is almost like Don Quixote—delusional and idealistic. His story is a tragedy, and Lima Barreto masterfully critiques the hypocrisy of Brazilian society, exposing its resistance to change at the beginning of the Republic.
P.S.: This book is frustrating, goddamnit.
Key Themes
Tragedy
Political Criticism
Cultural Identity
Nationalism and Idealism
Celebrating Brazilian stories through book recommendations
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