The Art Of Getting Away With Everything
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
More Posts from Carnivalofstories and Others
Racial Inequality and love
"On a sultry and oppressive day, the decadent city of Sao Luis Maranhao lay sprawled in the tropical heat."
About the Book
Title: Mulatto Author: Aluísio Azevedo Published: 1881 Original Title: O Mulato
Summary
The book addresses racial inequality in 19th-century Brazil. It was one of the first novels to discuss miscegenation and its cultural and social effects.
Mulatto follows the story of Raimundo, a young mulatto man who seeks to rise in society. Things get complicated when he falls in love with Rosa, a white aristocratic woman. Their forbidden love faces intense social opposition, leading to a tragic conflict where race, class, and desire collide.
Key Themes
Racial inequality
Social class
Colonial Brazil
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
Finding Your Destiny
"The boy could see in his father’s gaze a desire to be able, himself, to travel the world—a desire that was still alive, despite his father’s having had to bury it, over dozens of years, under the burden of struggling for water to drink, food to eat, and the same place to sleep every night of his life."
About the Book
Title: The Alchemist Author: Paulo Coelho Published: 1988 Original Title: O Alquimista
Summary
The Alchemist follows the journey of Santiago, a shepherd from Spain who dreams of finding a hidden treasure near the Egyptian pyramids. His quest takes him to many places, where he encounters wise mentors and people who help him along the way.
Santiago learns about the importance of following his heart and pursuing his personal legend. The story is very spiritual and talks a lot about philosophy.
Key Themes
Destiny
Dreams
Self-discovery
Spiritual enlightenment
Jaguar
"Wildcat's a beautiful thing! You ever seen one? When there's a little stirrin' in the ban1boo thicket, just a tremblin' for no reason: then that's one, eh, that could be one"
About the Book
Title: Jaguar and Other Stories Author: João Guimarães Rosa Published: - Original Title: -
Summary
This book is a compilation of stories by Guimarães Rosa, blending philosophical reflections and regionalism. Each story takes the readers to the backlands.
Key Themes
Folklore
Fate
Man and nature
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 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
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
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
Surreal Adventures
"john c.: Three hundred miles, Chico? chico: Three hundred miles. I had ridden that far on my horse. All because he had been blessed. john c.: But, Chico, how did you cross the San Francisco River, that never runs dry? chico: There you go again, John, with your mania for asking questions. john c.: Of course I want to know: How did you get across? chico: I don’t know. All I know is, that’s the way it was."
About the Book
Title: The Rogue’s Trial Author: Ariano Suassuna Published: 1955 Original Title: Auto da Compadecida
Summary
The Rogue's Trial is a comedic play that blends religious satire and Brazilian folklore. It follows João Grilo (Cricket) and Chicó, two men living in the Brazilian Northeast. The book is surreal and explores a range of themes, including morality, class struggles, and survival.
P.S. Satan is hilarious. Also, go watch the movie with the amazing Fernanda Montenegro.
Key Themes
Comedy
Faith
Redemption
Regional Identity
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
Celebrating Brazilian stories through book recommendations
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