Machado de Assis is one of the most enigmatic and fascinating story writers who ever lived. What seem at first to be stately social satires reveal unanticipated depths through hints of darkness and winking surrealism. This new selection of his finest work, translated by the prize-winning Daniel Hahn, showcases the many facets of his mercurial genius.A brilliant scientist opens the first asylum in his home town, only to start finding signs of insanity all around him. A young lieutenant basks in praise of his new position, but in solitude feels his identity fray into nothing. The reading of a much-loved, respected elder statesman's journals reveals hidden thoughts of merciless cruelty.

Pushkin Collection

The Looking-Glass

In "The Lapse" by Machado de Assis, a group of desperate creditors consult Dr. Jeremias, a Dutch physician, about the behavior of a debtor, Tomé Gonçalves, who seems to have forgotten the notion of paying his debts. Jeremias diagnoses Tomé with a condition called "memory lapse" and reveals that there is a cure. The story explores the tension between creditors and debtors and the ironies of the human condition.

The Lapse

Emília, a charming and experienced widow, tries to seduce Tito, a cold  young man incapable of love, who remains indifferent to her amorous advances. Used to exerting fascination over men, Emília is frustrated by the impassivity of Tito, who seems immune to her game of seduction. In the end, Machado de Assis reflects on the different paths that each person can choose to follow in life and in love.

Straight Line and Curved Line

"The Fortune teller" by Machado de Assis tells the story of Rita, a married woman who, in the midst of a secret romance, consults a fortune teller in search of answers about her future. The plot explores themes such as superstition, fate, and betrayal, revealing the complexities and ironies of human relationships in an intriguing and engaging way.

The Fortune Teller

Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis (1839 – 1908) was a writer considered by many critics, scholars, writers, and readers to be the greatest name in Brazilian literature. Machado de Assis left a very extensive body of work, the result of half a century of literary labor, which includes plays, poetry, prologues, critiques, speeches, more than two hundred short stories, and several novels. "The Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas" (1881) is a first-person narrative considered Machado de Assis's masterpiece. The novel, extremely daring for its time, is framed as the memoirs of a character, Brás Cubas, who writes after his death. The dedication at the beginning of the book already anticipates the humor and fine irony present throughout: "To the worm that first gnawed at the cold flesh of my corpse, I dedicate with fond remembrance these posthumous memoirs."

The Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas

Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis (1839 – 1908) was a writer considered by many critics, scholars, writers, and readers to be the greatest name in Brazilian literature. Machado de Assis left behind a very extensive body of work, the fruit of half a century of literary labor, including plays, poetry, prefaces, critiques, speeches, more than two hundred short stories, and several novels. "Dom Casmurro" is one of the most well-known, translated, and studied works of Machado de Assis, and it certainly attests to the technical prowess of its author and his ability to handle a plot that could be considered tragic with unparalleled irony and detachment. The work, if read only as a bare plot, could be just one of the many "adultery novels" that populate 19th-century literature. However, once transformed into a novel by Machado de Assis, it becomes an exercise in narrative technique that challenges and provokes the reader. In this novel, the reader can witness the talent of this exceptional writer, one of the greatest of all time.

DOM CASMURRO

In a tale shrouded in mystery, a young man finds himself enchanted by the enigmatic figure of a woman dressed in black. In the midst of encounters full of passion and secrets, he discovers that there is more to this connection than meets the eye. Between glances and revelations, Machado de Assis explores the nuances of human intrigue, where desire and the unknown intertwine in a surprising outcome.

The Woman in Black

In "The Devil's Church", by Machado de Assis, the Devil, tired of his usual role as tempter, decides to create his own church to lead mankind astray. He promises men power and pleasure, but without the fear of eternal hell, offering a religion of debauchery and hedonism. The satire deals with the corruption and hypocrisy of religious institutions, revealing human nature and its contradictions.

The Devil's Church

In "The Alienist" by Machado de Assis, Dr. Simão Bacamarte opens an asylum to study madness in the city of Itaguaí. Determined to understand the human mind, he interns several citizens, generating controversy and revolt. The story satirizes science, society and the boundaries between sanity and madness, culminating in a surprising twist.

The Alienist

"Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas," by Machado de Assis, is a novel narrated by the deceased Brás Cubas, who revisits his life, loves, and failures with irony and sarcasm. Critiquing 19th-century society, the work challenges narrative conventions and explores human vanity and hypocrisy with humor and depth.

Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas

"Miss Dollar", a short story by Machado de Assis, tells the story of a lost dog and the events that unfold around it. The plot revolves around the search for the dog, revealing the complexities of human relationships and the irony of circumstances. The tale highlights themes of love, loss and chance, weaving a subtle critique of the social conventions of the time.

Miss Dollar

Machado de Assis (1839-1908) is considered one of the greatest, if not the greatest, Brazilian writers of all time. Author of "Dom Casmurro," "Memórias Póstumas de Braz Cubas," "Quincas Borba," and dozens of other unforgettable titles, Machado was a complete author, having written novels, short stories, poems, plays, critiques, chronicles, and correspondence. In the genre of short stories, Machado published over two hundred stories, always with the enormous talent that is peculiar to him, which makes any selection of his best short stories a challenging task; but it has been done! " Machado de Assis Best Short Stories" brings the reader an exquisite selection of his best stories, recognizing in each of them the unparalleled talent of this brilliant Brazilian writer.

MACHADO DE ASSIS: Greatest Short Stories

"The greatest writer ever produced in Latin America." Susan Sontag, writer and activist "The supreme black literary artist to date." Harold Bloom, literary critic The Devil's Church ( A Igreja do Diabo) is a masterful short story from Brazil's most celebrated writer, Machado de Assis, originally published in 1883. In this wickedly clever satirical tale, the Devil himself decides to establish his own church, seeking to institutionalize and legitimize sin in direct opposition to God's teachings. With characteristic wit and psychological insight, Machado weaves a story that serves as both a religious allegory and a sharp critique of human nature and social hypocrisy. In this revelatory work, Machado explores themes of morality, human contradiction, and institutional power with his characteristic sardonic humor. As the Devil meticulously builds his anti-church, he discovers an uncomfortable truth about human nature that readers will find both amusing and unsettlingly relevant to contemporary society. The story exemplifies Machado's unique ability to use seemingly simple narratives to expose profound truths about human behavior and social structures. For readers interested in world literature, religious satire, or masterfully crafted short fiction, "The Devil's Church" provides a concise but powerful demonstration of why Machado de Assis's work continues to resonate with audiences over a century after its original publication.

Short Stories

Raquel and Luísa are long-time friends who, despite the distance between them, continue to correspond almost monthly. Between court gossip, updates on their daily lives, and youthful musings about marriage and love, Luísa suspects that Raquel is gradually falling in love with a certain Dr. Alberto, she, on the other hand, despises him. From the limited perspective of an epistolary plot, Machado de Assis brilliantly builds an atmosphere of doubt and dissimulation that hangs over the story until the very last line.

Point of View

While preparing for a ball in Rio de Janeiro, where he would meet his beloved, graduate Duarte is interrupted by the unexpected visit of Major Lopo Alves, who intends to recite a tedious dramatic manuscript to him for hours on end. Between dreamlike fantasy and reality, in this short story, Machado plays with the contrasts between wonderful plots produced by the absurdity of dreams and the boredom of a tedious text.

The Turkish Slipper

"Mrs. Benedita" is an elegant lady with discreet habits, who lives surrounded by social conventions and subtle observations of life around her. Narrated with Machado de Assis' characteristic subtle humor, the story follows the protagonist's reflections and attitudes towards themes such as reputation, appearances, and desire, gradually revealing unexpected layers of her personality.

Mrs. Benedita

In The Fortune-Teller, the author presents one more urban story, concerning a love triangle, Machado de Assis-style. Translated to English by Clara Monnerat, from the 1st edition by Editora Itapuca, Niterói - Brazil.

The fortune-teller

A new unabridged edition of the classic of Brazilian literature. Dom Casmurro is a moving portrait of young love, a parable of jealousy and a witty evocation of 19th century Brazilian society, as readable today as ever. Bentinho, the narrator, becomes convinced that his wife, Capitu, has betrayed him. Reflecting back on their childhood friendship and adolescent love through the happy years of their marriage, Bentinho draws the reader into sharing his suspicions, as well as his shock and anger. What has Capitu done? Has she done anything at all? These are questions still debated in Brazil today thanks to Machado de Assis's masterful ploy, and one of the first truly conscious instances, of an unreliable narrator. Peter Owen Publishers has over many decades published authors of international renown. Our list contains 10 winners of the Nobel Prize in Literature, and we continue to promote in English the best writers from around the world. Visit us at www.peterowen.com

Dom Casmurro

O Enfermeiro (The Male Nurse) was published by Machado de Assis as a standalone, then joined the author´s in the Várias Histórias (Several Stories), published in 1896. Procópio accepts the job offer: to take care of an ill colonel, who has an insufferable temper. Their relationship is complicated and dramatic, guiding the characters to a surprising ending.

The Male Nurse

The short story "Last Chapter" is a suicide note. Machado de Assis presents us with the somber figure of Matias Deodato de Castro e Melo, a man on the brink of suicide in 1871. He explains the reasons behind the terms of his will, expressing the desire for his possessions to be uniquely allocated to benefit the less fortunate.

Last Chapter

Luís Soares, an ambitious and gallant young man, lives between the pursuit of social status and the charms of love, but his lack of scruples leads him to betray friends and commitments. As his web of lies crumbles, he faces the consequences of his choices, culminating in a bitter personal decline.

Luís Soares

In "Singular Occurrence", Machado de Assis creates an engaging narrative through a conversation between two friends. One of them tells the story of Marocas, a woman who has caught the eye of Andrade, a young lawyer. The plot explores Andrade's growing obsession with Marocas and how his intense emotions make him question his choices and convictions. The story is marked by reflections on desire, jealousy and the ironies of life.

Singular Occurrence

The short story "Bridal Song" tells the story of Romão Pires, a man obsessed with completing bridal song that he began shortly after his marriage. The unfinished work becomes a symbol of Romão's torment, as he desperately struggles to find the missing musical notes in his creation. This incessant search reflects his inner anguish, revealing the complexities of his soul and the ironies of life.

Bridal Song

In "The Secret of Augusta", Machado de Assis weaves a tale of intrigue and appearances. Vasconcelos, a man in debt, tries to marry off his daughter Adelaide to Gomes to restore his fortune but faces unexpected resistance from his wife, Augusta. The reason for her refusal remains a mystery until an ironic and revealing secret comes to light, exposing the vanities and weaknesses of the society of the time.

The Secret of Augusta

In "Sapucaia's Cousins", Machado de Assis explores the capricious twists and turns of fate. The protagonist, a disenchanted young man visiting his cousins in the countryside, finds himself frustrated when he casually crosses paths with a mysterious woman who had previously attracted him and with whom he would like to develop a romance. However, the situation takes an unexpected turn when he discovers compromising details about this idealized woman, revealing Machado's ironic touch on illusions and disappointments in love relationships.

Sapucaia's cousins

In "A Lady", Machado de Assis explores Mrs. Camila's struggle against time, vanity and aging. Obsessed with maintaining her youth, she refuses to accept the signs of aging, even as her daughter, Ernestina, grows into an adult. As her daughter seeks to marry and start a family, Ms. Camila faces the dilemma of giving up her own beauty and accepting old age.

A Lady

In an informal and reflective tone, the narrator of "Fulano", by Machado de Assis, invites the reader to witness the reading of the will of Fulano Beltrão, a man who, over the years, transformed himself from a recluse to a public figure, promoting philanthropic actions and being recognized by society. The story explores the impact of social justice and honor on Beltrão's actions.

Fulano

Camilo, a young doctor who has recently graduated, returns to his hometown in Goiás to reunite with his family. There, he meets Isabel, a beautiful and enigmatic young woman, to whom he is attracted but who seems indifferent to him. However, the girl's cold demeanor hides a surprising secret, which is revealed as the story unfolds. The tale combines mystery, irony and social criticism, exploring themes such as fate and the illusions of love.

The Blue Parasite

After the death of her husband, a widow decides to reveal the hidden truths of her marriage, including her secret relationship with Emílio, a lover who transformed her life. In a narrative full of irony and criticism of social conventions, Machado de Assis dismantles the facade of marital perfection and exposes the complexities of human passions.

Confessions of a Young Widow

Friar Simão lives in silence and penance until his death, without ever revealing his past. Only after his death does a manuscript reveal the tragic story of a forbidden love, misfortune, and guilt that led him to isolation in the convent. Machado de Assis creates a melancholy story about the weight of choices and the impossibility of forgetting.

Friar Simão

In "Dayless Dawn", Machado de Assis tells the story of the young poet Luís Tinoco, who, moved by his passions, believes he is destined for a brilliant future in literature and oratory, even though his speeches and poems are somewhat exaggerated and disjointed. The story reveals, in Machado de Assis' brilliant irony, the disillusionment of the average Brazilian with their grand missions in life, guided by vanity and presumption, and their attachment to the material and concrete life of social reality.

Dayless Dawn

On the day of the wedding between Luís Duarte and Carlota Lemos, Machado de Assis invites the reader to take an ironic look behind the scenes of the ceremony and the social machinery of Rio's bourgeoisie. Among vain guests, protocol speeches and theatrical gestures, the story reveals, with subtle humor, the predefined roles that men and women play on this great stage called society.

The Wedding of Luís Duarte

The story presents a scene set in Noah's Ark, where human passengers and animals live together amid the flood. In a satirical tone full of subtleties, Machado de Assis constructs witty dialogues and reflections on morality, coexistence, and personal interests, questioning the virtues and vices that persist even in a scenario of renewal and salvation.

In the Ark - Three Unpublished Chapters from Genesis

After finding a mysterious watch at home, Luís Negreiros tries to get an answer for the question from his wife, Clarinha. Would it be a lovely birthday present or the property of a secret lover? With an impressive twist, Machado de Assis plays with appearances and illusions, manipulating the reader's expectations in this surprising short story.

The Gold Watch

In this collection originally published in 1873, Machado de Assis presents us with six short stories that explore, with sharp irony and keen insight, the dilemmas of human nature, social appearances, and the games of power and desire. In "Midnight Stories", the author moves between humor, drama, and social critique, showcasing the best of his short prose and anticipating many of the themes that would define his mature work. The stories included in the book are: • The Blue Parasite – A gripping tale about ambition and deceit, in which the arrival of a mysterious young woman disrupts the routine of a traditional family. • The Wedding of Luís Duarte – A story about the twists of fate and the unexpected consequences of romantic and financial decisions. • Ernesto So-and-So – A narrative centered on vanity and intellectual pretension, in which a dreamy young man seeks literary and social recognition. • Dayless Dawn – A melancholic story reflecting on the unfulfilled promises of youth and the missed connections in life. • The Gold Watch – A tale marked by tension and greed, centered around a seemingly harmless gift that unveils uncomfortable truths. • Point of View – A text that invites reflection on how different perspectives can completely change the interpretation of a single event. With subtlety and wit, "Midnight Stories" takes us through plots that, though set in the 19th century, still resonate with striking relevance today. A critical and entertaining portrait of Brazilian society through the sharp pen of Machado de Assis.

Midnight Stories

In "The Alienist", renowned physician Dr. Simão Bacamarte decides to found an asylum in the small town of Itaguaí to study madness. However, his obsessive quest to define sanity leads to the hospitalization of increasingly normal citizens—and the town is plunged into chaos. Machado de Assis brilliant satire questions the boundaries between reason and madness, power and science.

In an ingenious narrative set in the East, a Portuguese traveler encounters a mysterious bonze—a local sage—who is the guardian of an ancient secret. Intrigued, he embarks on a journey filled with curious encounters, philosophical reflections, and subtle twists and turns. With humor and irony, Machado de Assis leads the reader through a tale that questions the nature of truth, fame, and wisdom.

The Bonze's Secret

Two friends engage in a philosophical and sarcastic conversation about happiness, bad luck, and the whims of fate. Starting with an allusion to the famous ring of Polycrates, the narrative unfolds amid skeptical reflections and scathing comments, revealing Machado's irony about exaggerated optimism and the pitfalls of luck.

The Ring of Polycrates

In an ironic and satirical tone, Machado de Assis presents a conversation between a father and son, in which the father advises the young man to become a "medallion" — a symbol of empty prestige and superficial respectability. The story criticizes social hypocrisy and the pursuit of status without merit, revealing the behind-the-scenes of success in 19th-century bourgeois society.

The Medallion Theory

Ernesto has a troubled romance with Rosina, marked by comings and goings in love. When he discovers that she also has a second suitor, the two indignant rivals join forces to unmask her. The story, with Machado de Assis characteristic irony, reveals the game of appearances and manipulations in the love relationships of Rio's elite.

Ernesto So-and-So

Instigante obra clássica do celebre Machado de Assis, Dom Casmurro é leitura indispensável para todos os amantes da literatura brasileira.

Machado de Assis escreveu em 1880 as Memórias Póstumas de Brás Cubas, o romance fundamental de nossa literatura. Em uma narrativa provocativa e irônica, que parte das digressões do defunto Brás Cubas, o personagem expõe já no início o relato de sua própria morte e funeral. Por seu caráter bastante peculiar, aliado a seu autor defunto, o romance produziu um abalo na estrutura da ficção brasileira da época. Hoje incontestavelmente aclamado, Memórias Póstumas foi inicialmente recebido com certo estranhamento. A obra, de uma maneira astuciosa, faz um retrato do estilo de vida da aristocracia brasileira, que alçava voos nos modos de vida da burguesia europeia, sobretudo francesa, mas que caminhava em um solo marcado pela escravidão e por todas as especificidades da colônia. Machado é para ser lido e relido, apreciado, reconfirmado ? nunca é demais. Como diz Nícea Helena Nogueira, nosso escritor "fora da curva", em sua ficção cômica e amarga, antecipa os modernistas e pós-modernistas do século XX.

Memórias Póstumas de Brás Cubas

O renomado psiquiatra Dr. Simão Bacamarte volta da Europa para a pequena Itaguaí e cria a Casa Verde, espécie de asilo cujo objetivo é estudar profundamente a loucura. Com o tempo, 80% dos moradores da cidade são considerados anormais e internados, o que faz com que a população se rebele contra o médico. Conforme suas teorias e estudos a respeito do comportamento humano avançam, Dr. Bacamarte começa a reavaliar sua própria sanidade. Publicado em 1882 por um dos maiores nomes da literatura brasileira de todos os tempos, o conto humorístico (por vezes considerado novela) de Machado de Assis é uma alegoria sobre a loucura e a normalidade, recheado de crítica e ironia.

O Alienista

"Dom Casmurro" é uma das obras-primas de Machado de Assis, publicada em 1899, e ilustra magistralmente o estilo realista e a complexidade psicológica que caracterizam a literatura brasileira do século XIX. O romance é narrado por Bento Santiago, um homem que, ao revisitar sua juventude, se vê capturado por suas memórias e obsesões. Através de uma prosa refinada e introspectiva, Assis cria um ambiente denso, onde a dúvida e a ambiguidade permeiam as relações e a própria narrativa. A história explora temas como ciúme, traição e a construção da identidade, refletindo o papel social do indivíduo na sociedade brasileira da época, marcada pela transição entre o romantismo e o realismo. Machado de Assis, um dos maiores escritores da literatura brasileira, foi um autodidata que se destacou não apenas como roteirista, mas também como crítico e poeta. Nascido em uma família pobre de origem mista, Assis enfrentou diversas adversidades na vida, que influenciaram seu olhar crítico sobre a sociedade. Sua experiência como membro da elite literária e suas interações com diferentes classes sociais foram essenciais para moldar a narrativa em "Dom Casmurro", repleta de nuances psicológicas e sociais. Recomendo "Dom Casmurro" não apenas pela sua beleza literária, mas pela profundidade que oferece ao leitor na compreensão das complexidades das relações humanas. A habilidade de Assis em explorar a mente trágica de Bento, assim como a ambiguidade de Capitu, faz do livro uma leitura necessária para quem deseja adentrar os mistérios da condição humana. Este romance é um convite a refletir sobre a verdade e a memória, elementos centrais na busca pela compreensão de si mesmo e do outro.

"Memorial de Ayres" é uma obra singular de Machado de Assis, publicada em 1910, que se destaca tanto pelo seu estilo introspectivo quanto pelo rigor com que aborda temas como a memória, a identidade e a solidão. O livro é narrado em primeira pessoa por Bento Ayres, um homem à beira da morte que revisita suas experiências e reflexões sobre a vida, imbuindo a narrativa de uma tonalidade melancólica, típica do simbolismo da época. A estrutura do texto, que se assemelha a um diário, faz com que o leitor mergulhe nas divagações do protagonista, revelando a complexidade existencial que permeia suas recordações e seus dilemas pessoais, sempre sob uma linguagem que alterna a prosa lírica e o tono filosófico. Machado de Assis, um dos maiores escritores da literatura brasileira, traz para "Memorial de Ayres" sua vasta experiência como escritor ao longo de sua carreira que abrange várias fases literárias, incluindo o romantismo e o realismo. Sua formação como leitor e crítico, bem como sua singular visão de mundo, influenciam profundamente a obra. Escrito em um período em que o autor já se afirmava como um dos pilares da literatura nacional, o livro reflete sua busca constante por novas formas de expressão e seu interesse em explorar as complexidades da psique humana. Recomendo "Memorial de Ayres" a todos que buscam uma leitura que transcende o mero entretenimento e que se propõe a questionar a própria essência da existência. A profundidade psicológica e a beleza da prosa de Machado de Assis tornam esta obra uma experiência literária indispensável, perfeita para leitores que apreciam uma narrativa que provoca reflexão sobre a memória e a vida.

Memorial de Ayres

"Histórias Sem Data" é uma coletânea de contos de Machado de Assis, publicada em 1884, que revela o domínio do autor sobre a forma e a linguagem literária, características marcantes do Realismo. Sua prosa, com ironia e sutileza, permite uma análise aprofundada das relações sociais no Brasil do século XIX, abordando temas como a hipocrisia, a ambição e a condição humana. O estilo fragmentado, típico de sua narrativa, convida o leitor a refletir sobre a efemeridade das experiências e a natureza do tempo, refletindo também a inquietação do autor em meio a um contexto literário que desafiava as convenções da época. Machado de Assis, um dos maiores escritores da literatura brasileira e membro da Academia Brasileira de Letras, traz em "Histórias Sem Data" influências de suas próprias vivências, de seu status de mulato em uma sociedade elitista e suas reflexões sobre a identidade nacional. Sua experiência de vida e suas interações com diversos círculos sociais o levaram a explorar a psique humana e os dilemas existenciais, culminando na criação de uma obra que é tanto crítica social quanto uma exploração profunda da subjetividade. Recomendo "Histórias Sem Data" não apenas por seu valor literário, mas também por sua capacidade de provocar discussões sobre o tempo e a sociedade. Esta obra fornece uma perspectiva única que continua a ressoar nos dias de hoje, tornando-a indispensável para quem busca entender os dilemas da condição humana e o papel da literatura na reflexão sobre essas questões.

Historias Sem Data

"Esau e Jacob", publicado em 1904, é uma das obras-primas de Machado de Assis, que transita entre o realismo e o simbolismo, refletindo a complexidade da condição humana. O romance narra a relação conflituosa entre os gêmeos Pedro e Paulo, cujas rivalidades são um microcosmo das tensões sociais e políticas do Brasil do século XIX, em especial o confronto entre diferentes classes sociais e visões de mundo. A prosa de Machado é marcada por uma ironia sutil e uma profundidade psicológica que revelam os conflitos internos dos personagens, enquanto a narrativa se desenrola em um ambiente urbano, enriquecido por uma crítica mordaz à hipocrisia da sociedade carioca da época. Machado de Assis, um dos maiores escritores da literatura brasileira, foi um autor autodidata que, devido às suas experiências de vida como detrator da elite, esteve imerso nas questões sociais e raciais do Brasil. Ele frequentemente explorou temas como a desigualdade e a ambiguidade moral, o que se reflete na dinâmica entre os irmãos e suas aspirações contrastantes em "Esau e Jacob". O contexto histórico durante a escrita da obra, marcado pela transição da monarquia para a república, também influenciou suas reflexões sobre identidade e pertencimento. Recomendo "Esau e Jacob" a todos os leitores que buscam uma análise profunda da natureza humana e das interações sociais, além de uma rica reflexão sobre as tensões entre o individual e o coletivo. A obra não apenas destaca o talento indiscutível de Machado de Assis, mas também provoca uma reflexão crítica sobre o Brasil de sua época, permanecendo relevante e provocativa para as discussões contemporâneas.

Esau e Jacob

O conto "Casa, não casa...", de Machado de Assis, é daqueles que o leitor lê com um sorriso estampado no rosto. O personagem Júlio flerta simultaneamente duas jovens, Isabel e Luísa. Hesita, no entanto, sobre qual delas ama mais. Uma ignora a paquera da outra, mas elas são amigas! Há muito não se viam, mas o inevitável acontece: o reencontro. O humor de Machado de Assis nessa narrativa é singular e garante diversão.

Clássicos em 15 minutos

Casa, não casa...

"A chave", de Machado de Assis, tem seu enredo devidamente circunscrito no tempo: a história começa em 7 de outubro de 1861. Os banhos de mar era então uma realidade no Rio de Janeiro e a personagem central do conto, Marcelina, tem neles sua entrada na narrativa. De forma torta: apesar de ser excelente nadadora, quase se afoga, sendo salva pelo pretendente Luís Bastinhos. Ela, no entanto, considera outros rapazes – quem teria a chave para abrir seu coração? É ler o conto e deliciar-se com a ironia machadiana aí tão presente!

A chave

Viúvas apresenta três protagonistas. Cada uma delas, Adelina, Mariazinha e Eugênia, expõe de forma distinta suas emoções e pensamentos diante da perda do companheiro – não necessariamente para a morte. Escritos em épocas próximas, mas com olhares distintos, os contos escritos respectivamente por Maria Amália Vaz de Carvalho, Florbela Espanca e Machado de Assis refletem seu tempo, época de transições, mas têm em comum a sensibilidade e a genialidade de quem os concebeu. A série "As Protagonistas" reúne em seus volumes histórias de personagens notáveis, mulheres resgatadas das sombras da literatura que são aqui apresentadas para o conhecimento do leitor, suas reflexões e potenciais ressignificações de seus papéis.

As Protagonistas

Viúvas

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